Vitamin B17, Its Sources, Advantages, and Potential Drawbacks
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Laetrile, also known as vitamin B17 or amygdalin, has been marketed as a potential cancer treatment for over a century. However, recent scientific evidence suggests that it is not a safe or effective option for cancer treatment.
Contrary to popular belief, laetrile is not actually a vitamin but a drug derived from plant substances. It is synthetically produced and has not been recognized as a vitamin by the American Institute of Nutrition.
The compound that laetrile derives from, amygdalin, can be found in raw nuts, such as bitter almonds, and the pips of fruits, such as apricot kernels. Some proponents of laetrile claim that it selectively releases cyanide to kill cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. This mechanism is based on the presence of enzymes beta-glucosidase in cancer cells and protective enzyme rhodanese in healthy cells. However, this theory is not supported by robust clinical data.
The cyanide released by laetrile can be highly toxic, posing significant safety risks, including cyanide poisoning. Oral amygdalin is approximately 40 times more potent than the intravenous form due to its conversion to cyanide in the gastrointestinal tract. Consuming laetrile can lead to cyanide poisoning, which can be fatal. Symptoms of mild to moderate cyanide poisoning may include headache, nausea, weakness, increased respiratory rate, and eye and skin irritation. Severe cyanide poisoning may cause dizziness, blue coloring in the skin, lips, gums, or around the eyes, liver damage, trouble walking, confusion, coma, convulsions, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, and death.
Despite persistent claims of selective toxicity and nutritional benefits, laetrile is not a safe or effective cancer treatment according to current scientific and medical consensus. Studies in humans are rare due to the potential adverse effects of vitamin B17 and the lack of evidence supporting its effectiveness.
Multiple reputable medical and regulatory organizations have evaluated laetrile and found no convincing evidence it effectively treats cancer. Instead, it has a documented history of being promoted as a "fake" cancer cure and is associated with cancer quackery. Clinical trials have failed to demonstrate its therapeutic benefit, and its use is largely discouraged due to the potential for serious adverse effects.
It is crucial to note that foods containing beta-glucuronidase or vitamin C may increase the conversion of amygdalin to cyanide, so people taking laetrile tablets should avoid consuming nuts, crushed fruit pits, raw almonds, carrots, apricots, peaches, celery, beans, bean sprouts, and flax seed.
In conclusion, laetrile (vitamin B17) should not be considered a viable cancer treatment option. Its cyanide toxicity risks outweigh any unproven anti-cancer benefits. It is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before attempting any alternative cancer treatments and to rely on evidence-based treatments supported by scientific research and medical consensus.
References:
[1] National Cancer Institute. (2021). Laetrile. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/laetrile-pdq
[2] American Cancer Society. (2021). Laetrile. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/complementary-and-alternative-medicine/herbs-vitamins-and-minerals/laetrile.html
[3] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Laetrile. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-information/laetrile/description/drg-20073876
[4] National Institutes of Health. (2021). Laetrile. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/959.html
[5] American Institute of Cancer Research. (2021). Laetrile. Retrieved from https://www.aicr.org/cancer-research/diet-nutrition/amygdalin-laetrile.html
- Despite the marketing of laetrile as a treatment for Crohn's disease, COPD, diabetes, and other medical-conditions, science does not support its efficacy.
- The predictive claim that laetrile can selectively target and kill cancer cells without harming healthy tissue has not been substantiated by robust clinical data.
- Type 2 diabetes patients should be cautious when consuming laetrile, as it may interfere with their vitamin and nutritional needs.
- HIV patients should avoid laetrile supplements due to the potential risk of cyanide poisoning, which can exacerbate their health-and-wellness issues.
- Alzheimers disease patients are at risk of experiencing poisoning from laetrile, which could potentially worsen their condition.
- Depression and migraine patients should also be wary of laetrile, as its cyanide content may cause further health complications.
- NSCLC patients should not rely on laetrile as a treatment option, as it has failed to demonstrate therapeutic benefits in clinical trials.
- Science has clearly shown that laetrile is not a safe or effective treatment for any medical-condition, including asthma, a chronic respiratory disease.
- When considering health-and-wellness, it is crucial to prioritize evidence-based treatments over unproven substances like laetrile.
- Nutrition plays a vital role in managing various medical-conditions, and laetrile should not be a part of any recommended diet, as it poses significant risks to one's health.
