Description

Vitamin B17, also known as amygdalin or laetrile, is mainly derived from apricot kernels.

One capsule of our Vitamin B17 product is roughly equivalent to eating 20 apricot kernels.

Amygdalin has many traditional uses in many different cultures around the world.

The Hunza people in the north of Pakistan eat apricot kernels as a staple. This is suspected to be one of the reasons for the extreme longevity of this tribe (100 - 135 years of age) as well as their exceptionally good health and mood.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), apricot kernels (xing ren) are considered to have bitter, warm and slightly toxic properties, and affects the Large Intestine and Lung meridians. It is used to stop cough and wheezing, moistens the intestines and unblocks the bowels.

This explains the TCM use of apricot kernels in the treatment of coughing, wheezing, asthma, constipation, cancer and erectile dysfunction.

Apricot kernels have traditionally been used for many generations to treat cancer. Amygdalin, derived from these kernels, has been used successfully in the treatment of many cancers for several decades. However, research has been lacking. In recent years, a number of lab studies were published, but good quality clinical studies in humans are still needed.

Here are some reviews / overview articles on the clinical effects of amygdalin:

Recent updates and future perspectives about amygdalin as a potential anticancer agent: A review

Advanced research on anti-tumor effects of amygdalin

Experimental and therapeutic trials of amygdalin

Amygdalin from Apricot Kernels Induces Apoptosis and Causes Cell Cycle Arrest in
Cancer Cells: An Updated Review

Anti-cancer benefits

2013: Amygdalin causes cervical cancer cell lines to self-destruct. Reference.

2014: Amygdalin blocks bladder cell growth in vitro. Reference.

2015: An in vitro study found that amygdalin has potent effects on renal cancer cell lines. Reference.

2015: Amygdalin slows down cancer cell line growth of various types. Reference.

2015: Amygdalin prevents lung cancer cells from infiltrating healthy tissue. Reference.

2016: Amygdalin exerts effective anti-tumor activity via multiple pathways in human breast cancer cell lines, causing them to self-destruct. Reference.

2016: Amygdalin blocks prostate cancer cells from proliferating in vitro. Reference.

2016: Amygdalin slows down tumour growth and increased lifespan in mice with implanted tumours. Reference.

2018: Amygdalin selectively targets and damages human breast cancer cells. Reference.

2019: Amygdalin causes oral cancer cell lines to self-destruct. Reference.

Other benefits

Female reproductive system: Amygdalin stimulates the release of estrogen, but not progesterone, from the ovaries. Apricot kernels form part of a traditional Japanese remedy for female infertility (where it seemingly induces ovulation).

Male reproductive system: Amygdalin heals chemically damaged testicles in male rats. Reference.

Chronic kidney disease: Amygdalin prevented and reversed fibrosis in chronic kidney disease in vitro and in vivo (rats). Reference.

Gastritis: Amygdalin is an effective treatment for chronic gastritis.

Lung diseases: Amygdalin has antitussive and anti-asthmatic effects. It will likely suppress the cytokine storm in COVID-19 (Reference). It might be beneficial in the treatment of COPD (emphysema). Reference.

Liver: Amygdalin prevents liver injury in rats. Reference. (This study was retracted without any explanation being given)

Brain and nerves: Amygdalin protects the brain and nerves from damage, especially in Parkinson's disease, but likely in all neuro-degenerative diseases. Reference.

Pain and inflammation: Amygdalin reduces pain perception and inflammation markers in a mouse model of pain. Reference.

Safety

A dose-ranging study in mice (Reference) found that a dose of 50 mg/kg (more or less equivalent to a total dose of 3,500 mg in an adult human) was well tolerated with no abnormal biochemical markers. This is well above the recommended daily dose of 400 - 1600 mg daily.

Dosage

Take 1 capsule daily, with food. In cases of advanced cancer or severe disease, increase the dose by 1 capsule every three days until a maximum dose of 3 or 4 capsules / 24 hours is reached. It is preferable to take the capsules in divided doses.

Side effects

A mild headache may initially occur, but this usually resolves within a few days of treatment. Liver enzymes may be affected if very high doses are taken for prolonged periods of time.