Vitamin B17 is a commonly used name for a chemical called amygdalin, which is typically sourced from apricot pits and bitter almonds. Amygdalin is used to make laetrile—a compound often claimed to aid in the treatment of cancer, despite little evidence of its safety or effectiveness. Although they're frequently referred to as "vitamin B17," amygdalin and laetrile are not actually B vitamins.
Why amygdalin (vitamin B17) is dangerous?
The most obvious reason is that amygdalin can cause cyanide poisoning. Your blood pressure could drop very low, you may damage your liver, or you might go into a coma. In the worst-case scenario, high doses of 50-60 apricot kernels, or 50 grams of Laetrile can kill you. The way your intestines break amygdalin down makes cyanide, which supposedly kills harmful cancer cells.
Some people have also suggested that amygdalin teams up with enzymes in cancer cells to destroy them. Others say the cancer was caused because you didn't have enough "vitamin B17." But there's no proof that amygdalin acts like a vitamin in your body or that you even need it. Calling it a vitamin is a way to get around regulations for drugs.
Is amygdalin (vitamin B17) illegal?
*Because amygdalin isn't FDA-approved, it could have dangerous ingredients. It's now banned by the FDA and hasn't been available in the U.S. since 1980. Many websites tout the benefits of amygdalin (also called nitriloside, and vitamin B17) for cancer.
*Health Canada has not approved any medicinal or natural health uses of apricot kernels, laetrile or “vitamin B17” and does not permit cancer treatment claims for natural health products.
*Germany and UK are also banned from “vitamin B17”.
Why evidence isn't conclusive?
Studies aren't clear about whether amygdalin could be more effective against certain types of cancer than others and they cite the need for further research to determine what potential role it might play.
For a treatment like laetrile to be an effective cancer treatment, it needs to effectively kill cancer cells without harming healthy cells. But some research on amygdalin as a cancer treatment, published in reputable journals, does show promise.
Amygdalin Benefits
*Improving blood flow
*Lung health support
*Inflammatory pain
*Liver health support
*Blood fat levels
*Dry eye syndrome
The recommended dose of amygdalin
Oral: 1.5g-2g/day
