Vitamin B17: Is it a Natural Cure for Cancer?

Vitamin B17, also known as Laetrile and amygdalin, was claimed by some to be a natural cure for cancer. Such proponents suggested that cancer, in reality, is a disease of deficiency that can be cured by supplying the body with laetrile. They point out that the disease scurvy is cured by vitamin C, Pellagra by vitamin B3 (niacin), and Beriberi by vitamin B1 (thiamin). They also point out that cultures such as some Native American tribes frequently ate the seeds of fruits which tend to be good sources of vitamin B17, especially apricot kernels. These people did not suffer from cancer, but what else is there to take a look at? It shouldn't take much thought to consider the fact that those cultures also did not smoke commercially manufactured cigarettes or drink commercially manufactured alcohol. They did not eat processed, flavored, preserved, commercially smoked, canned or frozen foods to which colors, growth hormones, antibiotics, and other chemicals had been added. They did not eat genetically modified or hybridized foods, were not exposed to pollution or chemicals in cleaning and personal care products. They drank fresh, natural water, received plenty of exercise as they farmed, hunted, went fishing, and gathered wild fruits and vegetables. When they did find themselves sick, they relied on natural herbal medicines, not chemical medications so toxic that a slew of deadly side effects are experienced when they're taken. All of these things count and there is no one vitamin, mineral, or any other kind of nutrient that's going to prevent or serve as a miraculous natural cure for cancer. Such a substance would allow people to abuse their bodies and escape the consequences. According to the web site, "www.vitaminB17.org," the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American Medical Association (AMA), and the American Cancer Society, labeled the claims that laetrile is a cure for cancer as fraud and quackery.

In all fairness, people are justified in questioning the motives of America's pharmaceutical companies, the competency and honesty of both the AMA and the FDA and the sometimes close mindedness of the American Cancer Society when it comes to a total reliance on alternative medicine as a cure for cancer. Nevertheless, that doesn't mean a person should believe anything he hears that is in opposition to the "authorities" on health care. Sometimes, there truly is a middle ground where one has to stay for safety reasons. When considering the cultures that are, for the most part, cancer free, it is only logical to look at the big picture, not one thing here and another there.

Should sources of Vitamin B17 Be Sought by Cancer Patients?

I have first hand experience with relying on nothing but alternative medicine to completely eradicate tumors in the case of a relative of mine. I've also successfully relied on natural medicine to totally recuperate from medically confirmed bronchitis, so I know the power of medicinal herbs and organically grown foods. But, fighting cancer totally the natural way requires more than just changing your diet and taking a few herbs. When dealing with cancer, few people realize the ferocious fight that must be waged against such a treacherous disease. There's also the fight against time--a fight that cannot be won if you do not really know what you are doing. However, the battle, properly waged, can produce incredible results. I witness the destruction of breast tumors which took place within only one week of a most strict regimen that required constant attention to detail, perseverance, and extreme discipline. That was more than 15 years ago; she is healthy today, looks a decade younger than her age, takes no prescription medications, and seldom takes an aspirin.

The web site, "www.vitaminB17.net," makes mention of the studies that have shown that vitamin B17 or laetrile does have the ability to greatly slow or completely halt the progression of tumors in the body and even helps with the pain associated with cancer. However, vitamin B17 supplements labeled with any claims of being a cure for cancer cannot be legally sold in some countries such as the United States. While I do agree with those who view the ban on the sale of laetrile as sinister governmental control, all hope is not lost.

Man is supposed to receive natural medicines from herbs and foods anyway, not supplements. Although apricot kernels are one of the richest sources of vitamin B17, they are not the only food containing the nutrient. The seeds of the cherry, apple, nectarine, peach and plum also contain natural laetrile. However, for safety reasons, it is not a good idea to just eat the seeds of these fruits, but rather to eat some, not all, of them at the very same time of consuming the fruit itself. Other sources of vitamin B17 include almost all kinds of berries, whole heirloom grains, grasses such as alfalfa sprouts and wheat grass, nuts such as the Macadamia and cashew. It should be kept in mind that when choosing grains, they should always be real grains, otherwise known as heirloom. These include spelt, kamut, einkorn, and emmer wheat--grains that have nourished man since antiquity. They are not hybridized like modern "wheat" which is erroneously called a cousin of the aforementioned real grains.