- Amygdalin is a natural substance that is found in raw nuts like almonds and the seeds and kernels of many fruits, particularly apricots. It is also present in Lima beans, clover, sorghum and many other things.
- Vitamin B-17 is extracted from the natural substances above and is considered a food component. * Food components that are natural, non-toxic, water- soluble and compatible with human metabolisms. They are are called vitamins.
Although B-17 is not illegal in the United States, making claims of any health benefit has been prohibited by the FDA
- Laetrile is the concentrated, purified extract form of Amygdalin, developed for use in a laboratory.
Laetrile IV therapy and laetrile pills are illegal in the United States.
Amygdalin or B17 , is lethal to cancer cells.
This is because cancer cells secrete the enzyme beta-glucosidase which releases the poisonous cyanide otherwise locked in laetrile, into the inside of the cell.
In the absence of cancer cells the toxic cyanide is not released.
Normal cells have an enzyme called rhodanase which effectively renders the cyanide molecule inactive.