Apricot seeds...healing or killing vol2

What is it?

Apricot seeds called otherwise apricot kernels look similar in appearance to a small almond. Fresh apricot kernels are white and their skin becomes light brown when dried out. They contain protein, fiber, and a high percentage of oil, which can be extracted from them.

Oil pressed from the sweet kernel can be used for cooking in the same way as sweet almond oil. The kernels themselves are used in processed foods such as amaretto biscuits, almond finger biscuits, and apricot jams. Oil and kernels from the bitter variety of apricot kernel are often used in cosmetics in body oil, face cream, lip balm, and essential oil.

Nutritions: 50% Oil   ~   25% Protein   ~   8% Carbohydrates

Apricot kernel oil is high in essential fatty acids. These fatty acids are essential to human health, but the human body is unable to produce them, so they must be taken in through diet.

There are two main types of essential fatty acids: linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3). Linolenic acid plays a vital role in brain function and normal growth and development. Fatty acids also stimulate skin and hair growth, regulate metabolism, maintain bone health, and support the reproductive system.

Secret Weapon

Some people regard a compound called amygdalin, which is found in apricot kernels, as a secret weapon to attack cancer cells, eradicate tumors, and prevent cancer.

Amygdaline

What is amygdaline?

Amygdalin is a naturally occurring substance found in apricot kernels. Amygdalin is also present in other seeds of fruit including apples, cherries, plums, and peaches. Amygdalin can also be found in plants such as clover, sorghum, and lima beans. 

Effects of eating apricot seeds/amygdaline

When amygdalin is eaten, it converts to cyanide in the body. Cyanide is a fast-acting, potentially deadly chemical. Cyanide prevents the cells in the human body from using oxygen, which kills them. As the heart and the brain use a lot of oxygen, cyanide is more harmful to those than other organs. 

Research suggests that 0.5-3.5 milligrams of cyanide per kilogram of body weight can be potentially lethal. It is estimated that eating 50-60 apricot kernels would deliver a lethal dose of cyanide. Cyanide poisoning can occur at much lower levels, however.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) warned that a single serving of three small apricot kernels or one large apricot kernel could put adults over the suggested safe levels of cyanide exposure, while one small kernel could be toxic to a toddler.

The EFSA advise that no more than 20 micrograms of cyanide per kilogram of body weight should be consumed at one time. This limits consumption to one kernel for adults. Even half a kernel would be over the limit for children.

The fact is that many healthy foods such as bitter almonds, millet, sprouts, lima beans, spinach, bamboo shoots, and even apple seeds have quantities of cyanide in them, yet they are still safe to eat. This is because the cyanide remains “locked” within the substance in these plants.The cyanide is harmless when bound within other molecular formations.

Laetrile is a partly synthetic form of amygdalin. Laetrile is produced from amygdalin through a chemical reaction with water.

History of laetrile/Bitamine B17

Laetrile was patented in 1961, but it did not become popular until 1970. The biochemist, Ernst T. Krebs, Jr., stated that cancer was a vitamin deficiency disease and the missing vitamin in cancer was laetrile. He named laetrile "vitamin B17."

Laetrile

The name laetrile is derived from the separate words "laevarotatory" and "mandelonitrile". Laevarotatory describes the stereochemistry of the molecule, while mandelonitrile refers to its chemical identity

B17, or laetrile, is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the United States and is deemed unsafe for food and drug use. It has not been shown to have any use in the treatment of any disease.

There is currently no evidence that laetrile helps with cancer. However, some people choose to use laetrile in the hope that it will cure cancer when conventional treatments have failed. People may take laetrile to:

• Improve energy levels and well-being
• Detox the body
• Help them live longer

Despite repeated warnings by FDA, the products continued to be promoted through numerous websites for the cure, treatment, and prevention of cancer.

Laetrile/Amygdaline as cancer killer

Cancer cells, are not normal cells; they contain a substance called beta-glucosidase (which healthy cells do not contain). Beta-glucosidase is the enzyme that “unlocks” cyanide and benzaldehyde in amygdalin molecules. When the beta-glucosidase in a cancer cell unlocks an amygdalin molecule, a toxic synergy is created that specifically targets cancer cells and leaves healthy cells untouched and unharmed.

And very recent research is beginning to coming out that again sheds light on the anti-tumor effects of cyanide in the specific form that it presents itself within naturally-occurring substances. This new research includes a 2017 Bulgarian study that found evidence of “higher cytotoxic effect” for amygdalin in fast-developing tumors.

According to the National Health Institutes (NHI) "Laetrile has shown little anticancer activity in animal studies and no anticancer activity in human clinical trials."

In addition, they state that the side effects associated with laetrile toxicity mirror the symptoms of cyanide poisoning, including liver damage, difficulty walking (caused by damaged nerves), fever, coma, and death.

Appricot seeds and the Hunzas

According McCarrison’s written observations, the Hunzas seemed to enjoyed near-perfect health. Some lived to be over 135 years old and no one in their clan had any of the conditions so common in the modern world, such as diabetes, obesity, heart attack, and cancer.

The biochemist Ernest Krebs began studying the lifestyle habits of the Hunzas, and understood that the Hunzas’ vitality had a lot to do with their overall lifestyle and diet. Their diet consisted of raw milk, the occasional meat and bone broth, fresh grains and veggies. They ate little sugar and, as nomads and herders, they naturally got plenty of exercise. The other characteristic that was unique about the Hunzas is that they ate massive quantities of apricot seed kernels.

Nowadays

Apricot kernels are the easiest way to ingest amygdalin since laetrile is still banned by the FDA in the US. 

There may be promise with using chemicals from apricot kernels for cancer treatments after harmful elements have been removed. For now, however, the use of apricot kernels cannot be recommended.

Note: There is a woman (Sandi Rog) that claims that cured cancer with laetrile/B17 supplement.

References:  medicalnewstoday.com ~ thetruthaboutcancer.com ~ wikipedia.com