Amygdalin (Vitamin B-17, Laetrile)
Amygdalin was first isolated in 1830 and was used as an
anticancer agent in Russia as early as 1845. It's first recorded use in
the United States as a treatment for cancer was in the 1920s.
Laetrile is a compound that has been used as an anticancer
treatment in humans worldwide. It is not approved by the Food and Drug
Administration for use in the United States. The term “laetrile” is an
acronym (laevorotatory and mandelonitrile) used to describe a purified
form of the chemical amygdalin. Amygdalin is a plant compound that
contains sugar and produces cyanide. Amygdalin is found in the pits of
many fruits and raw nuts. It is also found in other plants, such as lima
beans, clover, and sorghum. Cyanide is believed to be the active
cancer-killing ingredient in laetrile. |
