Vitamin B17, also known as Amygdalin, poses risks and lacks efficacy as a cancer treatment
In recent health news, the consumption of apricot kernels has been under scrutiny due to the presence of a potentially dangerous compound. The Marion Institute provides information on Amygdalin and Laetrile, substances found in apricot kernels, and their historical and current usage.
Amygdalin, a cyanogenic glycoside, is naturally found in apricot kernels. Upon ingestion, enzymatic processes break down amygdalin, releasing hydrogen cyanide, a highly toxic substance capable of causing cyanide poisoning. This compound inhibits cellular respiration by blocking cytochrome c oxidase in mitochondria, preventing cells from using oxygen effectively.
The severity of cyanide poisoning from apricot kernels depends on the dose consumed. Small quantities may have little effect, but larger amounts can cause serious poisoning symptoms, including gastrointestinal distress. Authorities have warned about the dangers of consuming high doses of apricot kernels due to their cyanide content.
Cancer Research UK, the National Cancer Institute, WebMD, and the European Food Safety Authority all advise against the consumption of apricot kernels, citing a lack of scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness as a cancer treatment and the potential health risks associated with their cyanide content.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found no evidence to support the use of Laetrile as a treatment for any type of cancer. Similarly, a study published in Periodicum Biologorum found no significant effect of Amygdalin on the treatment or recurrence of Endometriosis in an experimental rat study.
On the other hand, Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences found anti-inflammatory effects of Prunus Armeniaca L. (Apricot) extracts. However, it's important to note that these findings are not related to the consumption of the kernels themselves but rather the extracts derived from the apricot fruit.
The Research and Development Institute for Bovine Balotesti discusses the potential health risks of consuming natural plant toxins, specifically cyanogenic glycosides, found in plant foods like apricot kernels. The European Food Safety Authority Journal also discusses the acute health risks related to the presence of cyanogenic glycosides in raw apricot kernels and products derived from raw apricot kernels.
In conclusion, while apricot kernels may have some potential health benefits in the form of extracts, the consumption of the kernels themselves poses a risk of cyanide poisoning due to the presence of amygdalin. It's crucial to exercise caution when consuming apricot kernels and to consult with healthcare professionals before incorporating them into one's diet.
[1] National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Amygdalin. PubChem Compound Database. Retrieved from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Amygdalin [2] National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Hydrogen cyanide. PubChem Compound Database. Retrieved from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Hydrogen-cyanide [3] National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Cyanide poisoning. PubChem Compound Database. Retrieved from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Cyanide-poisoning [4] Food Standards Agency. (2005). Advice on the consumption of apricot kernels. Retrieved from https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/news/advice-on-the-consumption-of-apricot-kernels [5] European Food Safety Authority. (2011). Opinion on the safety of apricot kernels and products derived from raw apricot kernels. Retrieved from https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.2903/j.efsa.2011.2287
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- Despite some potential benefits of apricot extracts in health and wellness, consuming apricot kernels may cause serious medical conditions due to their high cyanide content.
- There is a lack of scientific evidence supporting the use of amygdalin (found in apricot kernels) as a treatment for cancer, endorsed by organizations like the National Cancer Institute and Cancer Research UK.
- Numerous health organizations, including the Food Standards Agency and European Food Safety Authority, have warned against the consumption of apricot kernels due to their potential health risks and therapies associated with cyanide poisoning.
