POTENTIAL BENEFITS AND CONTROVERSIES RELATED TO USE OF AMYGDALIN ( VITAMIN B 17 )

Vitamin B17 is safe for human consumption, but the bottom line is that more research needs to be done to determine safety for both shortand long-term periods of supplementation.

Amygdalin, also known as Vitamin B17 is often considered as anticancer remedy and can be found in many plants. Foods rich in vitamin B17 are referred to as nitrilosides, which contain cyanide that is very toxic ingredient. The aim of this article is to highlight some controversies about amygdalin’s effects.

Bibliographical searches were performed in available studies and reports using the following terms: “amygdalin”, “laetrile”, “vitamin B17” and “cancer treatment”.

Administration of amygdalin may help protect against some cancer types. It also boosts immunity and reduces pain in several diseases. One interesting effect of amygdalin is blood pressure lowering. Besides the beneficial effects, it could be very toxic because the level of cyanide, as very dangerous poison, is very high. This is the reason for failure of many clinical trials linked with anticancer effects of amygdalin in past. Vitamin B17 is safe for human consumption, but the bottom line is that more research needs to be done to determine safety for both shortand long-term periods of supplementation. There is a greater chance of cyanide toxicity when B17 is taken orally and in high enough amounts, but not when injected. The safest way to get amygdalin at this point is from vitamin B17 whole food sources.

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