The Truth About Laetrile and Amygdalin: What Science Tells Us

Laetrile and amygdalin are sometimes called vitamin B17, but are they really miracle cancer fighters? Let’s break it down. Laetrile is a man-made version of amygdalin, a natural substance found in certain plants. Both have a special part called a nitrile group, which releases a toxic gas called hydrogen cyanide when it's mixed with certain enzymes in your gut. Sounds scary, right? That's one reason scientists are cautious about their use. You might have heard about laetrile as an alternative cancer treatment, but the truth is, experts can’t agree if it really works or not. Some studies say it might help fight cancer, while others say the risks outweigh the benefits. That’s what makes it so complicated. Laetrile and amygdalin can help reduce inflammation, asthma, and even fibrosis in lab tests. But when it comes to clinical trials on real people, the evidence is not as clear. Plus, these compounds can be really toxic, which is why the FDA banned them in the first place. Even so, people started using laetrile as an alternative therapy in the 1970s. Today, researchers are looking for safer ways to use these compounds to target cancer. Could they be the key to new treatments? Maybe, but we don’t have enough evidence yet to say for sure. More research is needed before we can claim laetrile and amygdalin as heroes in the fight against cancer.

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