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Studies on Vitamin B-17

May 12, 2011 | By Sarah Dray

Vitamin B-17 is also sold under the names laetrile and amygdalin. Despite being promoted as a vitamin, it's not recognized by the FDA as such. In fact, medical experts and researchers call B-17 "a classic example of quackery." This is mainly because B-17 is sometimes promoted as an alternative cure for cancer.

'The New England Journal of Medicine'

In 1982, the "New England Journal of Medicine" published the results of a pre-clinical trial. The trial followed 178 patients who took B-17 as part of a program that also included dietary changes, enzymes and other vitamins. At the end of the trial, none of the patients presented any improvements in their cancer symptoms or overall well-being. On the other hand, some of the patients experienced toxicity symptoms. Because laetrile contains a form of cyanide, it can be highly toxic and even deadly. Some trial participants experienced symptoms of cyanide toxicity.

'Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America'

In 1981, the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America" published one of the earliest studies on B-17. The study examined the effects of laetrile on both rats and human tissue. In both cases, results showed signs of cyanide toxicity. The tumor-fighting properties of B-17 are supposed to be tied to the release of glucose caused by the consumption of the vitamin. However, that glucose release did not happen during the study. The experts behind the research estimate that this is an indication that B-17 has no tumor-fighting properties.

Peninsula Medical School Review

In 2006, the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, along with the Peninsula Medical School and other entities, did a roundup of all the clinical evidence in favor of laetrile as a treatment for several conditions, especially cancer. The review included 36 reports, including some small trials and published reports. No controlled clinical trial on laetrile exists. According to the review, not a single case proved that laetrile was an effective treatment for cancer.

Pro B-17 Studies

Laetrile has been in use since the 19th century. Since there wasn't a standard to follow for clinical trials or studies at the time, it was easier for medical professionals to make mistakes. The first "studies" on laetrile were conducted in the 1950s by scientist Ernst T. Krebs Jr. and his father, Dr. Ernst T. Krebs Sr. The Krebses conducted their own private study based on patient response and then published their own theory, which claimed laetrile or amygdalin was effective in killing cancer cells.

References

Article reviewed by GlennK Last updated on: May 12, 2011

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