Apricot seeds are often promoted as a natural cancer cure, containing Amygdalin, a compound at the center of a long-standing controversy in alternative medicine. The claim that consuming these seeds or their derived extracts can treat cancer lacks scientific support. Proponents sometimes misleadingly label Amygdalin as “Vitamin B17,” but it is not a vitamin. Its use is overwhelmingly rejected by major health and scientific institutions globally due to its lack of efficacy and severe risks.
Amygdalin and the Release of Cyanide
The central component of apricot seeds relevant to this discussion is Amygdalin, a naturally occurring cyanogenic glycoside. This chemical compound is found in the pits of various stone fruits, including apricots, peaches, plums, and bitter almonds. Amygdalin is significant because its molecular structure contains a nitrile group, which can release the potent cellular toxin hydrogen cyanide upon breakdown.
The toxic mechanism begins when Amygdalin is ingested and contacts specific enzymes in the digestive tract. The primary enzyme responsible for this breakdown is beta-glucosidase, which is present in the apricot seed itself and is also produced by bacteria in the human gut. This enzymatic action hydrolyzes the Amygdalin molecule into two molecules of glucose, one of benzaldehyde, and one molecule of highly toxic hydrogen cyanide.
The release of hydrogen cyanide is the basis for both the claimed anti-cancer effect and the actual danger of the seeds. Cyanide is a fast-acting poison that works by binding to the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondria of cells. This binding action inhibits cellular respiration, preventing the body’s cells from using oxygen and rapidly leading to cellular death.
Clinical Evidence and Scientific Consensus
Despite the persistent promotion of apricot seeds and their derivatives, credible scientific evidence for their efficacy is nonexistent. A purified, semi-synthetic version of Amygdalin, known as Laetrile, has consistently failed to demonstrate any meaningful anti-cancer effect in human trials. The few clinical trials conducted have shown no benefit in terms of tumor reduction, improved survival rates, or enhanced quality of life for cancer patients.
One definitive study, conducted by the Mayo Clinic in 1982, examined 175 cancer patients treated with Laetrile. The trial concluded that Laetrile was not an effective treatment, with tumor size increasing in nearly all patients. Furthermore, several patients experienced symptoms of acute cyanide poisoning, underscoring the drug’s inherent danger.
The scientific consensus is that the risk-benefit balance of using these compounds is negative. While some laboratory studies show Amygdalin can kill cancer cells in a petri dish, the concentration required to achieve this effect would be lethal to a human being. The theory that cyanide is selectively released only in cancer cells has not been proven, and the toxic compound is released throughout the body, posing a significant systemic risk. The lack of controlled clinical trials, which compare a new treatment to a placebo or established therapy, means there is no sound data to support the claims of a beneficial effect. Major health organizations, including the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Cancer Research UK, uniformly advise against the use of Amygdalin or Laetrile for cancer treatment.
Severe Health Risks of Consumption
The most significant concern regarding the consumption of apricot seeds or their extracts is the risk of acute cyanide poisoning. Cyanide is a rapid-acting poison, and the high amount of Amygdalin found in apricot seeds is often sufficient to cause serious harm or death. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) estimates that consuming as few as three small raw apricot kernels can exceed safe levels for an adult.
Symptoms of acute cyanide poisoning can manifest quickly, often within minutes to a few hours of ingestion. Initial signs include nausea, severe headache, dizziness, and vomiting. As the poisoning progresses, the lack of cellular oxygen leads to more serious symptoms such as shortness of breath, a drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. In the most severe cases, ingestion can lead to convulsions, coma, and cardiac arrest, resulting in fatality.
The risk of toxicity is heightened by several factors, particularly the method of consumption. Ingesting Amygdalin orally, especially on an empty stomach or in combination with high doses of Vitamin C, increases the rate at which cyanide is released. Since the gut bacteria’s enzyme facilitates the conversion to hydrogen cyanide, determining a safe dosage is practically impossible, even for small amounts.
Regulatory Status and Historical Context
The promotion of Amygdalin and its derivative, Laetrile, as an anti-cancer agent has a long history marked by controversy. Laetrile first gained traction as a purported cure in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. It was often marketed under the misnomer “Vitamin B17” in an attempt to circumvent regulations governing drug approval.
In 1977, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) definitively prohibited the interstate shipment of Laetrile and Amygdalin intended for cancer treatment. This action was taken because the compounds were deemed ineffective and unsafe, based on the lack of clinical evidence and documented dangers of cyanide poisoning. The FDA’s stance is that these substances have no proven medical value in treating any form of cancer.
Despite the federal ban, the compound’s popularity persisted for a time, fueled by strong advocacy and a narrative of a suppressed alternative treatment. This led to a historical period where some U.S. states legalized the use of Laetrile within their borders, though this was largely symbolic and did not change the scientific or federal regulatory consensus. Today, while the sale of the compound as a cancer drug remains illegal in the U.S., it can still be found online or in certain foreign jurisdictions.