What Is Amygdalin?

Amygdalin, commonly called Laetrile, is an alternative cancer treatment that is made from the pits of apricots and other fruits. The drug is given by intravenous injection or by pill. Amygdalin is not approved by the FDA and its use and sale is banned in the United States. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, amygdalin is not effective in treating cancer and even has negative side effects in some patients and could even result in death by cyanide poisoning.

History

• According to the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, amygdalin was first introduced as an alternative cancer treatment in the United States in the 1920s and gained popularity in the 1950s. After studies suggested its ineffectiveness in treating cancer, the popularity of amygdalin diminished. Amygdalin reappeared again around the year 2000.

Claims

• Promoters of amygdalin believed that the cyanide released by amygdalin worked to kill cancer cells and ignore healthy cells. Laboratory experiments eventually proved this theory false, finding that the cyanide released by amygdalin can damage all types of cells. Consequently, many patients who took amygdalin as a cancer treatment suffered from cyanide poisoning.

Effects

• The side effects of amygdalin are so severe that the FDA has banned its use in the United States. The main side effect of amygdalin is cyanide poisoning, whose symptoms include a bluish tint of the skin, low blood pressure, drooping of the eyelids, severe headaches, vomiting, and nerve damage. In some cases, coma and death can occur. Another side effect of amygdalin is dermatitis.

Availability

• Amygdalin is only available at alternative cancer treatment centers in some parts of Mexico as well as online suppliers.

Warning

• Consult with your physician before considering any alternative treatments for cancer. According to many sources, amygdalin has been proved ineffective in treating cancer and can lead to cyanide poisoning.