CHEMISTRY OF LAETRILE
CHEMISTRY OF LAETRILE ( AMYGDALIN / VITAMIN B17)
AUTHORS:
Audrey De Jesus
Rowie Joy Pilapil
Shariel Eunice Juanillas
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
College of Science
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics
Sta. Mesa, Manila
ABSTRACT
Vitamin B-17, commonly known as "Amygdalin”, is a plant substance found naturally in raw nuts and the pips of many fruits, particularly apricot pips, or kernels. It is also present in plants such as lima beans, clover and sorghum. Laetrile, on the other hand, is a partly man made (synthetic) form of the natural substance Amygdalin. The greatest concentration is found in the seeds of the rosaceous fruits, such as apricot kernels and other bitter nuts. There are many seeds, cereals and vegetables containing minimal quantities of vitamin B17 and form part of our daily diet. There has been no negative claims due to inadequate nutrient intake but there has been noted side effects caused by excessive amount of the said nutrient in the body. Throughout the years, there’s still no scientific evidence to support claims that laetrile or amygdalin can treat cancer or any other illness, it has been promoted as an alternative cancer treatment. As of today, Laetrile (B-17) is the considered a chief anti-tumor agent. It’s been used on Metabolic therapy, a non-toxic cancer treatment based on the use of Vitamin B- 17, proteolyticpancreatic enzymes, immuno-stimulants, and vitamin and mineral supplements.
INTRODUCTION
The first use of laetrile as a treatment for cancer was in Russia in 1845, and it was used in the USA from the 1920s. In the 1970s, laetrile was widely promoted as an anti cancer agent either on its own or as part of a program with a particular diet, high dose of vitamin supplements, and pancreatic enzymes.
CHEMISTRY
IUPAC NAME: [(6-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy](phenyl)acetonitrile
MOLECULAR FORMULA: C20H27NO11
MOLAR MASS: 457.43 g·mol−1
It also has the names: Mandelonitrile beta D
AUTHORS:
Audrey De Jesus
Rowie Joy Pilapil
Shariel Eunice Juanillas
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
College of Science
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics
Sta. Mesa, Manila
ABSTRACT
Vitamin B-17, commonly known as "Amygdalin”, is a plant substance found naturally in raw nuts and the pips of many fruits, particularly apricot pips, or kernels. It is also present in plants such as lima beans, clover and sorghum. Laetrile, on the other hand, is a partly man made (synthetic) form of the natural substance Amygdalin. The greatest concentration is found in the seeds of the rosaceous fruits, such as apricot kernels and other bitter nuts. There are many seeds, cereals and vegetables containing minimal quantities of vitamin B17 and form part of our daily diet. There has been no negative claims due to inadequate nutrient intake but there has been noted side effects caused by excessive amount of the said nutrient in the body. Throughout the years, there’s still no scientific evidence to support claims that laetrile or amygdalin can treat cancer or any other illness, it has been promoted as an alternative cancer treatment. As of today, Laetrile (B-17) is the considered a chief anti-tumor agent. It’s been used on Metabolic therapy, a non-toxic cancer treatment based on the use of Vitamin B- 17, proteolyticpancreatic enzymes, immuno-stimulants, and vitamin and mineral supplements.
INTRODUCTION
The first use of laetrile as a treatment for cancer was in Russia in 1845, and it was used in the USA from the 1920s. In the 1970s, laetrile was widely promoted as an anti cancer agent either on its own or as part of a program with a particular diet, high dose of vitamin supplements, and pancreatic enzymes.
CHEMISTRY
IUPAC NAME: [(6-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy](phenyl)acetonitrile
MOLECULAR FORMULA: C20H27NO11
MOLAR MASS: 457.43 g·mol−1
It also has the names: Mandelonitrile beta D
References: 1. Islamiyat F. Bolarinwaa, Caroline Orfila, Michael R.A. Morgan (June 2014). "Amygdalin content of seeds, kernels and food products commercially-available in the UK". Food Chemistry 152: 133–139. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.11.002. 2. Ellison NM, Byar DP, Newell GR (September 1978). "Special report on Laetrile: the NCI Laetrile Review. Results of the National Cancer Institute 's retrospective Laetrile analysis".N. Engl. J. Med. 299 (10): 549–52. doi:10.1056/NEJM197809072991013.PMID 683212. 3. O 'Brien B, Quigg C, Leong T (October 2005). "Severe cyanide toxicity from 'vitamin supplements '". Eur J Emerg Med 12 (5): 257–8. doi:10.1097/00063110-200510000-00014. PMID 16175068. 4. Moertel CG, Ames MM, Kovach JS, Moyer TP, Rubin JR, Tinker JH (February 1981). "A pharmacologic and toxicological study of amygdalin". JAMA 245 (6): 591–4.doi:10.1001/jama.1981.03310310033018. PMID 7005480. .