Amygdalin, also known as vitamin B-17, has been used as a cancer treatment since 1845, and according to U.K. cancer charity Cancer Help UK, it has been promoted as an anti-cancer agent since the 1970s, either as a single treatment or in combination with high-dose vitamins and pancreatic enzymes. Despite this, there is little convincing evidence showing that amygdalin is an effective anti-cancer treatment. It is also highly toxic. As a result, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of amygdalin as an anti-cancer agent. Don't use it without consulting a doctor.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Also known as laetrile, amygdalin is found in raw nuts and fruit pips and is sometimes used as an alternative cancer treatment. A partly synthetic form of amygdalin is also available as a dietary supplement. Cancer Help UK notes that there is little evidence to show it has any effect on the cancer itself but adds that some cancer patients take it to improve their well-being.
Evidence
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center states that there is no evidence showing amygdalin is an effective cancer treatment, adding that most claims regarding its anti-cancer effects have not been based on scientific proof. An article published in the April 2006 "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews" notes that randomized or controlled clinical trials are needed to assess whether amygdalin has any role in the treatment of cancer.
Adverse Effects
Amygdalin contains the poison cyanide and may cause serious side effects, including liver damage, nerve damage and coma, Cancer Help UK warns. Other side effects may include sickness, headache, fever and blood pressure changes. Although amygdalin is not authorized for sale in the European Union or the U.S., it is available in some parts of Mexico. If you are considering amygdalin treatment, consult your oncologist first.
Expert Advice
Cancer Help UK notes that while it is ultimately an individual's prerogative to decide whether to use alternative cancer treatments such as amygdalin, it strongly advises against doing so. If you have cancer, using unproven alternative remedies instead of conventional medical treatments might seriously harm your health. It also adds that while some Internet sites still promote amygdalin as a cancer treatment, no scientific cancer organizations support its use.
