Vitamin B17 (amygdalin, laetrile): where and what it contains, what it is

According to modern medical data, vitamin B17 is perhaps the most controversial and controversial substance. If on many issues academic and alternative medicine can somehow come to a common denominator, then in matters relating to vitamin B17, confrontation continues to this day. What is the reason for such obvious contradictions? Why can’t you find a single pharmaceutical product containing vitamin B17 in any pharmacy, and its sources are prohibited for direct sale in some countries? Let's look at the controversial substance “under the microscope”.

Composition and role in the body

Vitamin B17 – why does the body need it? What is his role and what is the composition?

B17 is broken down into three interrelated elements: glucose, benzaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide.

Vitamin B17 molecules are especially known for their effect on cancer cells. Indeed, cancer cells contain large amounts of an enzyme called beta-glucosidase. The latter operates on B17 according to the following process:

It first releases hydrogen cyanide and benzaldehyde. The two molecules then begin to interact together, killing the cancer cells.

Despite the lack of scientific research to date, B17 may be one of the most natural anti-cancer therapies.

B-17 is also touted as a vitamin that can reduce arthritic pain, lower blood pressure, strengthen the immune system, and generally support overall health. B-17 is best consumed through foods that contain it. When choosing a supplement, it is better to consult your doctor.

Good to know: At low doses, hydrogen cyanide and benzaldehyde are safe for healthy cells in the body.

History of appearance

Amygdalin was first discovered in 1952. The role of the “creator” was played by the famous scientist Ernst Krebs. He managed to synthesize a new substance for science from almond seeds, which received the unusual name - Laetral. Despite the fact that Krebs is considered the discoverer, hydrocyanic acid (a breakdown product of B17) was discovered long before that - in 1802. After several years of research, Krebs was able to prove the healing properties of the element and its effectiveness in the fight against malignant tumors.

Subsequent tests did not confirm the doctor's hypothesis. At the same time, there are many followers in the world who still set the goal of finding a universal medicine that can overcome cancer. The only problem is that its invention becomes a costly undertaking, and scientists are often forced to abandon further developments.

Many, under the influence of advertising and articles on the Internet, have formed a false stereotype that vitamin B 17 is almost the only remedy that can cure cancer. Actually this is not true. The benefits of amygdalin have not yet been fully proven, and from a medical point of view it looks completely doubtful . As for the biochemical studies carried out, their accuracy is also questionable.

The public outcry prompted a large US company (FDA) to conduct large-scale trials of drugs containing the vitamin in question. Studies have shown that the result of taking amygdalin in the treatment of malignant tumors is zero. Moreover, the organization took an unprecedented step - it banned the use of vitamin B 17. The reason is the high level of toxicity of the element . But even these statements did not convince society. There were even rumors about a conspiracy among pharmaceutical companies that were simply trying to hide the miraculous effect.

As a result, today there are two versions left:

• Traditional medicine completely refutes the benefits of the vitamin, considering it dangerous for the body.
• Alternative medicine takes the opposite view. It is believed that this particular substance can solve the problem of cancer once and for all.

Beneficial features

B17, especially when obtained from natural sources, can provide a host of health benefits

• Regulating Hypertension: B17 can regulate hypertension problems due to the formation of thiocyanate, which helps reduce high blood pressure.
• Strengthens the immune system: Amygdalin is also known to work wonders for the immune system. Dr. Anju Sood, a nutritionist, says the biggest benefit of this vitamin is that it increases the number of white blood cells, which improves immunity.
• Great Antioxidant: Some experts also claim that amygdalin's ability to interact with other powerful antioxidants, such as vitamin A, C, and E, breaks down and destroys toxic cells in our body, thereby aiding the natural detoxification process and promoting overall health.
• Pain relief: Amygdalin also works as an effective pain reliever.

Daily norm

Knowing which foods contain vitamin B17, as well as taking into account its dosage, it is easier to create a daily diet and not go beyond the daily norm. It's easy to explain. Scientists say the substance is toxic to the body. For this reason, there is debate whether it should be included in the daily diet at all. Due to such fluctuations, it was never possible to determine the official norm. According to some doctors, you shouldn’t take amygdalin at all.

Homeopaths are inclined to believe that you need to consume (eat with food) 3000 mg , which is equivalent to 300 grams of almonds. The reason for the restriction lies precisely in the risk of poisoning from the above-mentioned hydrocyanic acid.

The mentioned dosage may be exceeded (again, according to representatives of alternative medicine) in the following cases:

• excessive physical activity;
• obesity in an advanced stage;
• increased risk of cancer (poor environment, predisposition);
• load on the central nervous system (neuropsychic overload).

As for pregnancy and lactation, unlike other vitamins (the amount of which must increase), vitamin B17 in products must be strictly controlled. In some cases, it may be necessary to completely limit its intake.

Vitamin B-17, Laetrile, Amygdalin - what's the difference?

For many, these names are interchangeable.

But there are differences.

Amygdalin is a natural substance that is found in raw nuts, such as almonds, and the kernels and seeds of fruits, especially apricots, because it was in this fruit that amygdalin was first discovered. There is also a lot of it in beans, clover, and sorghum.

Vitamin B-17 is the name given to amygdalin by Dr. Eugene Krebs. This is the person who first identified amygdalin. He classified it as a food component, and food components, if they are natural, water-soluble, non-toxic and if they are accepted by human metabolism, are vitamins.

Laetrile is a more concentrated, purified form of amygdalin that was developed for use in laboratories and to fight cancer cells.

Results

Whatever doctors say, the statement of the famous philosopher Paracelsus still remains relevant. He argued that any poison can be turned into medicine. All that is required is to strictly follow the recommended dosage. So it won’t hurt to know where the vitamin is found.

At the same time, you shouldn’t count on the miraculous properties of the substance, especially if there is no scientific evidence yet. In the meantime, eating a small amount of cashews or raisins will be enough to reduce the risk of malignant tumors. We should not forget about the dangers of preserving berries and fruits along with seeds, because in this case the risks of poisoning with such a mysterious substance increase.

What does it contain?

Let's take a closer look at the natural sources of vitamin B17 that you should include in your diet.

Seeds

Apricot seeds are among the food sources of B 17. Other sources of this vitamin include prune seeds, pear seeds, peaches, cherries and even apple seeds. You can also use flax seeds; Squash seeds, millet seeds and buckwheat seeds to supplement the deficiency of B12 as these seeds also contain this vitamin in moderate quantities.

Nuts

Nuts are a rich source of various nutrients, minerals and proteins. Almonds and cashews contain B17. Consuming almonds on a regular basis raises high-density lipoprotein levels and lowers low-density lipoprotein levels. Almonds can reduce LDL cholesterol levels by up to 15% for every 7 grams of almonds per day. On the other hand, cashews are effective in lowering blood pressure, which makes your bones stronger and helps in weight loss. In addition, they keep the heart healthy and are a preventative for colon cancer.

Fruits

Berries such as raspberries, strawberries, currants, cranberries and blackberries contain very good amounts of this anti-cancer vitamin. Berries are considered special because of their high levels of photochemicals that help protect cells from damage.

Sprouts

Alfalfa sprouts contain B 17. They are considered beneficial for your kidneys. They also help prevent the development of kidney stones.

Leaves

Alfalfa and eucalyptus leaves contain large amounts of B17. Just like spinach leaves. Spinach leaves are filled with antioxidants that help fight the onset of diseases such as atherosclerosis, osteoporosis and high blood pressure. These antioxidants are beta-carotene, manganese, vitamin E, vitamin C, zinc and selenium.

Version of official medicine

The claim of amygdalin's anti-cancer properties has given rise to speculation. Quite expensive drugs have been created based on B17. But all studies conducted to date have not proven the pronounced anti-carcinogenic properties of B17. The American Medical Association and the US Food and Drug Administration have banned the promotion of amygdalin as an anticancer agent. Today, drugs based on it are freely sold in Mexico, China, and in some countries they are produced under the guise of food additives. In our country there is not a single certified medicine that contains vitamin B17.

The lethal dose of vitamin B17 is 50 g.

From the point of view of traditional medicine, B17 in the quantities in which representatives of the alternative direction propose to take it causes hydrocyanic acid poisoning. The lethal dose of amygdalin is 50 g.

Side effects

The main danger of B-17 is that laetrile and amygdalin can be converted into cyanide, a poison to the body. Thus, the side effects are similar to those of cyanide poisoning. Specifically, these are headaches, dizziness, drooping eyelids, liver damage, oxygen deficiency in body tissues, low blood pressure and fever.

Oversupply

An overdose of vitamin B17 is dangerous, and representatives of both branches of medicine agree on this opinion. The breakdown of B17 occurs with the formation of hydrocyanic acid, which can cause poisoning of varying severity. Each of them has its own symptoms.

• Mild degree: unpleasant bitterness in the mouth, muscle weakness, dizziness, headache, numbness of the oral mucosa, increased salivation, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath.
• Moderate degree: psycho-emotional agitation, scarlet coloring of the mucous membranes and skin, decreased heart rate, increased blood pressure, shallow breathing, smell of bitter almonds from the mouth, confusion, convulsions, disorientation.
• Severe degree: all the signs of previous degrees with an increase in symptoms, clonic and tonic convulsions, loss of consciousness, coma, respiratory arrest, critical drop in blood pressure, cessation of cardiac activity.

Drug overdose

An overdose of the drug may cause suffocation. There is a feeling of lack of oxygen. The skin of the face and body becomes bluish. Symptoms of substance poisoning are clearly expressed:

• general muscle weakness;
• vomiting and nausea;
• pallor;
• cold sweat;
• fever;
• dehydration.

Doctors believe that the human body does not constantly need the vitamin, so overdose is extremely rare. If severe symptoms of poisoning appear, you need to call an ambulance.

When taking vitamin B17 compounds, indications and contraindications are taken into account. You should not take medications without first consulting a specialist.

Natural springs

Vitamin B17 is found in small doses in the seeds of various fruits.
It also contains nuts and legumes. Amygdalin is found in the leaves of spinach, eucalyptus, alfalfa, beet tops, yam tubers, cassava, and sweet potatoes. Data on the content of B17 in food products are presented in the table. Amygdalin content in foods

What reduces its quantity

Vitamin reserves in the body are used up faster if a person:

• abuses alcohol;
• susceptible to the toxic effects of heavy metal salts.

The simultaneous intake of laetrile and ethyl alcohol (in any quantities!) is strictly prohibited , as this can lead to serious poisoning of the body with hydrocyanic acid.

It is not recommended to combine laetrile with smoking and excessive caffeine consumption.

Deficiency Symptoms

Only supporters of alternative medicine claim that the body may lack amygdalin. They argue that in modern life, people consume too few foods with a naturally high content of this substance. Vitamin deficiency occurs, which can manifest itself in the form of the following symptoms:

• chronic fatigue;
• depressive disorders, prolonged, persistent headaches;
• obesity that did not arise due to endocrine diseases or dietary errors;
• immunodeficiency states;
• the occurrence of precancerous conditions: the appearance of benign neoplasms and erosions, the formation of cancer cells, the development of malignant tumors.

The recommended daily dose of B17 has not been confirmed by any large-scale scientific studies.

Therefore, it is better to treat the data presented in the table with the utmost caution:

According to alternative medicine, those who:

• is obese;
• experiences high physical and mental stress;
• lives in environmentally disadvantaged areas;
• has a high risk of developing cancer.

Efficacy against cancer

An important fact should be noted - at the moment, the benefits of amygdalin as an anti-cancer agent are not officially recognized.

There is conflicting information that allows one to speak both for and against the use of this chemical in oncological medicine. Vitamin B17 is found highest in apricot kernels, as well as bitter almonds, as discovered by another Amygdalin researcher, John Morrone.

He, following Krebbs, explored the possibility of using the substance in the fight against cancer. In 1962, the doctor presented reports on the treatment of more than 10 patients with a history of one or another type of cancer in the last stage:

• All patients received intravenous injections.
• The total duration of treatment using Amygdalin is 50 weeks.
• Diet – raw vegetables, fruits, cereals.
• At the same time, artificial removal of toxins from the body was carried out through physiotherapeutic methods.

The result of therapy, in addition to significant relief of the patients' condition, was partial resorption of tumors, and in some cases, the onset of remission of metastatic cancers. The study emphasized that vitamin B17 was particularly effective in combination with pancreatic enzymes, due to which the membrane of malignant cells was destroyed more quickly.

The American doctor Binzel, wanting to check the results of Krebbs, conducted his own experiments with Amygdalin. Between 1974 and 1991, Binzel used combination therapy in the treatment of cancer patients - oral (1 g at bedtime) and intravenous vitamin B17 (from 3 to 9 g/ml).

The following requirements were also used in therapy:

• Taking vitamins
• Food rich in low-calorie proteins.
• Requirement to drink plenty of water (6-8 glasses of clean water per day).
• Exclusion of ultraviolet radiation (access to the sun).
• Elimination of harmful factors (alcohol, smoking, fast food).

A total of 180 patients received experimental treatment; it should be noted that in most cases the cancer was at stage 1 or 2. Since 1974, their condition has been monitored; by 1991, 138 people remained alive. Of the 108 patients suffering from terminal cancer, 32 died. In many cases, stable remission was observed.