Laetrile
This treatment involves a naturally occurring substance that is found in certain nuts and seeds. Amygdalin is found in apricot kernels, cherry pits, some apple seeds, and a special type of almond seed called “bitter almond.” (Regular almonds do not contain amygdalin.) The bitter almond was the best source for amygdalin, but the USDA ordered all bitter almond trees to be destroyed.
Amygdalin is a glycoside. It consists of a molecule that combined glucose with cyanide. When the molecule of amygdalin enters a cancer cell, the molecule breaks apart and releases the cyanide. The cyanide then kills the cancer cell. The cyanide is not released in a healthy normally functioning cell, because a cancer cell contains a special enzyme, which must be present to release the cyanide. Thus amygdalin is harmless to a normal cell.
Laetrile, also called vitamin B17, is a synthesized version of the naturally occurring amygdalin.
Laetrile is a chemically modified form of amygdalin, a naturally-occurring substance found mainly in the kernels of apricots, peaches, and almonds. Amygdalin is most commonly extracted from apricot pits. Laetrile is a related substance, which has a slightly different chemical structure. However, the terms amygdalin and Laetrile are often used interchangeably. The name Laetrile is also used to describe a closely related, man-made substance.
Supporters call Laetrile "the perfect chemotherapeutic agent," as it is said to kill cancer cells while being non-toxic to normal cells. Promoters claim that societies with diets rich in amygdalin, such as the Hunza and the Karakorum, are "cancer-free peoples." Supporters also say that Laetrile can prevent cancer and can help patients stay in remission. It is also promoted to provide pain relief to people with cancer.
Amygdalin is a glycoside. It consists of a molecule that combined glucose with cyanide. When the molecule of amygdalin enters a cancer cell, the molecule breaks apart and releases the cyanide. The cyanide then kills the cancer cell. The cyanide is not released in a healthy normally functioning cell, because a cancer cell contains a special enzyme, which must be present to release the cyanide. Thus amygdalin is harmless to a normal cell.
Laetrile, also called vitamin B17, is a synthesized version of the naturally occurring amygdalin.
Laetrile is a chemically modified form of amygdalin, a naturally-occurring substance found mainly in the kernels of apricots, peaches, and almonds. Amygdalin is most commonly extracted from apricot pits. Laetrile is a related substance, which has a slightly different chemical structure. However, the terms amygdalin and Laetrile are often used interchangeably. The name Laetrile is also used to describe a closely related, man-made substance.
Supporters call Laetrile "the perfect chemotherapeutic agent," as it is said to kill cancer cells while being non-toxic to normal cells. Promoters claim that societies with diets rich in amygdalin, such as the Hunza and the Karakorum, are "cancer-free peoples." Supporters also say that Laetrile can prevent cancer and can help patients stay in remission. It is also promoted to provide pain relief to people with cancer.
There are several proposed explanations for how Laetrile works. Supporters claim that cancer cells contain more of a certain enzyme that splits the Laetrile molecule and releases the cyanide within it. The cancer cell then supposedly dies from cyanide poisoning. Normal cells supposedly do not have as much of this enzyme and instead contain an enzyme that renders the Laetrile harmless. Supporters claim that normal cells are not affected for this reason.
Laetrile is commonly used in some hospitals and clinics in northern Mexico because it is difficult to get in the United States. Laetrile or amygdalin are often taken as part of a metabolic therapy that includes a specific diet with high doses of vitamins. Although no standard treatment plan exists, a typical treatment consists of injecting Laetrile or amygdalin into a vein each day for 2 to 3 weeks, followed by taking tablets by mouth as a maintenance therapy. Laetrile and amygdalin are also used in enemas and in solutions applied directly to skin lesions.
Laetrile is commonly used in some hospitals and clinics in northern Mexico because it is difficult to get in the United States. Laetrile or amygdalin are often taken as part of a metabolic therapy that includes a specific diet with high doses of vitamins. Although no standard treatment plan exists, a typical treatment consists of injecting Laetrile or amygdalin into a vein each day for 2 to 3 weeks, followed by taking tablets by mouth as a maintenance therapy. Laetrile and amygdalin are also used in enemas and in solutions applied directly to skin lesions.
HISTORY:
"Bitter almonds" have been used as a medical remedy for thousands of years by cultures as diverse as the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Pueblo Indians. In 1802, a chemist discovered that distilling the water from bitter almonds released hydrocyanic acid. In the 1830s, the source of this hydrocyanic acid was purified and called amygdalin. It was thought to be the active ingredient in bitter almonds.
The current use of Laetrile can be directly attributed to the theories of Ernst T. Krebs, Sr., MD, which were first proposed in the 1920s. Krebs tested an extract from apricot pits to treat cancer, but the pills proved too toxic for human use. Around 1952, his son, Ernst T. Krebs, Jr., changed the process of extracting amygdalin and created a chemically modified version, which he named Laetrile. He claimed that the new substance was more potent as an anti-cancer drug than naturally occurring amygdalin. Despite this chemical distinction, both proponents and skeptics commonly refer to both substances as Laetrile. Adding to this confusion is the fact that many products sold as Laetrile consist mostly of amygdalin.
From the 1950s through the 1970s, Laetrile grew in popularity in the United States as an alternative treatment for cancer. In 1977, the FDA commissioner stated that there was no evidence for the safety or effectiveness of Laetrile. The government has banned the transport of Laetrile into the United States or across state lines, as well as the use of Laetrile in states without laws specifically allowing it.
- Vitamin B-17 / Laetrile/Amygdalin has a dangerous component, cyanide - locked away inside.
- The only way the cyanide can get unlocked is if the laetrile comes into contact with a cancerous cell.
- Cancer cells have an enzyme, Beta-Glucosidase that breaks the laetrile molecule and releases the cyanide that in turn destroys the cancer cells.
- Any resultant free cyanide reacts with naturally occurring enzyme, Rhodenase to derive Thiocyanate which helps regulate blood pressure and also promotes the production of vitamin B-12 by the liver.
- By taking Vitamin B17 daily, cancer cells never have a chance to develop because the laetrile destroys them too quickly.
"Bitter almonds" have been used as a medical remedy for thousands of years by cultures as diverse as the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Pueblo Indians. In 1802, a chemist discovered that distilling the water from bitter almonds released hydrocyanic acid. In the 1830s, the source of this hydrocyanic acid was purified and called amygdalin. It was thought to be the active ingredient in bitter almonds.
The current use of Laetrile can be directly attributed to the theories of Ernst T. Krebs, Sr., MD, which were first proposed in the 1920s. Krebs tested an extract from apricot pits to treat cancer, but the pills proved too toxic for human use. Around 1952, his son, Ernst T. Krebs, Jr., changed the process of extracting amygdalin and created a chemically modified version, which he named Laetrile. He claimed that the new substance was more potent as an anti-cancer drug than naturally occurring amygdalin. Despite this chemical distinction, both proponents and skeptics commonly refer to both substances as Laetrile. Adding to this confusion is the fact that many products sold as Laetrile consist mostly of amygdalin.
From the 1950s through the 1970s, Laetrile grew in popularity in the United States as an alternative treatment for cancer. In 1977, the FDA commissioner stated that there was no evidence for the safety or effectiveness of Laetrile. The government has banned the transport of Laetrile into the United States or across state lines, as well as the use of Laetrile in states without laws specifically allowing it.
- Vitamin B-17 / Laetrile/Amygdalin has a dangerous component, cyanide - locked away inside.
- The only way the cyanide can get unlocked is if the laetrile comes into contact with a cancerous cell.
- Cancer cells have an enzyme, Beta-Glucosidase that breaks the laetrile molecule and releases the cyanide that in turn destroys the cancer cells.
- Any resultant free cyanide reacts with naturally occurring enzyme, Rhodenase to derive Thiocyanate which helps regulate blood pressure and also promotes the production of vitamin B-12 by the liver.
- By taking Vitamin B17 daily, cancer cells never have a chance to develop because the laetrile destroys them too quickly.
Completely enclosed by mountain peaks which soar to a height of 25,550 feet (7788 m) and belong to the Karakoram Range (broadly known in the West as the Himalayas), Hunza is now part of Pakistan in the northern section bordering on Afghanistan.
The Hunzakuts cultivate plants including barley, millet, buckwheat, turnips, carrots, dried beans, peas, pumpkins, melons, onions, garlic, cabbage, cauliflower, apricots, mulberries, walnuts, almonds, apples, plums, peaches, cherries, pears, and pomegranates.
Apricot trees are very popular, and the fruit is eaten raw in season and sun dried for winter. The pits were cracked to obtain the kernel that is crushed to obtain the oil for cooking and lamps. The hard shell is kept for a fire fuel. The kernel and oil can be eaten from the variety of apricots with sweet kernel.
The Hunzakuts cultivate plants including barley, millet, buckwheat, turnips, carrots, dried beans, peas, pumpkins, melons, onions, garlic, cabbage, cauliflower, apricots, mulberries, walnuts, almonds, apples, plums, peaches, cherries, pears, and pomegranates.
Apricot trees are very popular, and the fruit is eaten raw in season and sun dried for winter. The pits were cracked to obtain the kernel that is crushed to obtain the oil for cooking and lamps. The hard shell is kept for a fire fuel. The kernel and oil can be eaten from the variety of apricots with sweet kernel.
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