Some people believe that vitamin B17 presents a viable option in the quest for a cancer cure. Some proponents of vitamin B17 make claims that it is an effective cure or treatment for people suffering various kinds of cancer. You should always seek medical advice from a physician or health care provider before you rely on any such claims or consider taking vitamin B17.
Vitamins
A vitamin is a naturally occurring organic compound that you need to maintain optimum health. Vitamin B17 is not really a vitamin at all, but rather a chemical compound derived from certain plants, according to the National Cancer institute. Vitamin B17 is made of the chemical compound amygdalin, which is available in a purified form as the compound Laetrile. The terms B17, amygdalin and Laetrile are often used synonymously, though the term Laetrile refers to a patented purified compound derived from amygdalin.
Source and Effectiveness
Vitamin B17, or amygdalin, according to the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, is naturally found in plants such as lima beans, clover and the pits of a variety of fruits and nuts. Amygdalin contains sugar and produces cyanide, which researchers believe is the active ingredient in Laetrile. Though many proponents claim vitamin B17 is beneficial for those with cancer, clinical trials reveal that the compound is ineffective, and has significant side effects that can further damage your health.
B17 Deficiency
According to quackwatch.com, some B17 proponents claim that amygdalin deficiencies are responsible for cancers in humans. To date, there is no evidence to support this claim, nor that amygdalin or Laetrile are effective treatments for cancer. Quackwatch reports that early proponents of Laetrile as a cancer treatment attempted to circumvent the drug approval process by labeling the substance a vitamin. The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for approving all medication and drugs prior to use in the United States, and to date the FDA has not approved vitamin B17 for any medicinal purposes.
Side Effects
People who suffer side effects from Laetrile experienced symptoms that are very similar to those of people who suffer from cyanide poisoning. Symptoms include nausea, headache, vomiting and a blue discoloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen in the blood, according to the National Cancer Institute. In severe cases, some people may experience difficulty walking due to damaged nerves, abnormally low blood pressure, dementia, coma and death.
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