How cancer patients are deceived - vitamin B17 (amygdalin) neither cures cancer nor is it a vitamin at all

Amygdalin is a natural chemical compound best known for being falsely promoted as a cancer cure. It is found in many plants, and it is mostly found in the seeds (stones) of apricots, bitter almonds, apples, peaches and plums. It is officially classified as a cyanogenic glycoside, because each molecule of amygdalin includes the so-called a nitrile group that can be released as a toxic cyanide anion by the action of the beta-glucosidase enzyme. Therefore, consumption of amygdalin leads to the release of cyanide in the human body and can lead to cyanide poisoning. Several cases of such poisoning have been described in the literature, perhaps the most famous being that of actor Steve McQueen, who spent a fortune on vitamin B17 only to die of cancer in 1980 without any improvement.

Since the early 1950s, amygdalin and its chemical derivative (laetrile) have been promoted as alternative cancer treatments, often under the false name of vitamin B17 (neither amygdalin nor laetrile are vitamins). Several possible mechanisms have been proposed by which amygdalin could destroy tumor cells, and cancer has been shown to be the result of "vitamin B17 deficiency". All of these theories have been scientifically disproven. In addition, several scientific studies have found that these compounds are clinically ineffective in the treatment of malignant diseases, as well as potentially toxic and even fatal due to cyanide poisoning (especially when taken orally). For example, a study by the American Mayo Clinic from 1982 showed that out of 175 patients treated with amygdalin, the disease progressed in as many as 174, while a significant number of patients developed cyanide poisoning. However, this did not stop various "experts" from presenting false facts about amygdalin for personal financial gain. The promotion of amygdalin and laetrile in the treatment of cancer is often described in the medical literature as one of the most nefarious and sophisticated ways of deceiving and giving false hope to cancer patients.

The promotion of amygdalin as a cure for cancer has not stopped even to this day. Our recommendation is to avoid people and websites that recommend the mentioned preparation as a form of alternative treatment and do not be misled by seemingly "logical" explanations of the action of amygdalin and its effectiveness in the treatment of cancer. These are scientifically completely unfounded claims. Always ask yourself, who is the person presenting this information to me, how professional is he or she, and what are his or her real intentions? As a rule, you will come to the conclusion that the motive behind everything is profit.

References:

1. Apricot kernels pose risk of cyanide poisoning. European Food Safety Authority. 27 April 2016. A naturally-occurring compound called amygdalin is present in apricot kernels and converts to hydrogen cyanide after eating. Cyanide poisoning can cause nausea, fever, headaches, insomnia, thirst, lethargy, nervousness, joint and muscle various aches and pains, and falling blood pressure. In extreme cases it is fatal.

2. Lerner IJ (1981). "Laetrile: a lesson in cancer quackery". Ca. 31 (2): 91–5. doi:10.3322/canjclin.31.2.91. PMID 6781723.

3. Milazzo S, Horneber M (April 2015). "Laetrile treatment for cancer". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (4): CD005476. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005476.pub4. PMC 6513327. PMID 25918920. 4. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/laetrile-pdq#section/all

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