It's common for someone battling a serious illness like cancer, or someone in their family who has one, to look for different treatments. Sometimes we get our hopes up about "secret cures" that we hear about online, from friends, etc. One such popular belief is that apricot seeds are a good cure for cancer. But what is the truth behind this story? Let's talk about it today.
What is the connection between apricots and cancer?
Simply put, apricot kernels are the small almond-shaped seeds inside the larger seed of the apricot that we eat. These raw apricot kernels contain a chemical compound called amygdalin . When we eat them, enzymes in our intestines convert this amygdalin into a deadly poison called cyanide .
Cyanide is a poison that is naturally present in small amounts in the seeds of fruits like apples and peaches, and in some types of beans. But if ingested in large amounts, it can make us sick or even kill us.
Some people believe that the cyanide produced by eating apricot seeds can selectively kill cancer cells. Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence to prove that this treatment works. In fact, the truth is that using them is more likely to cause more harm than good. That is why it is illegal to sell products made from apricot seeds as medicine.
What is the background and history of this story?
The history of the use of amygdalin as a cancer treatment dates back to 1845 in Russia. In the 1940s, an American doctor tried to market a synthetic form of amygdalin as a cancer treatment, naming it laetrile . However, he was later convicted of selling it illegally. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned laetrile since the 1970s.
Since then, these people have been claiming, without any evidence, that amygdalin kills only cancer cells and does not harm healthy cells. However, later studies have clearly shown that this causes cyanide toxicity. Its symptoms are similar to those caused by cyanide poisoning. This can cause dizziness, nausea, liver damage, coma, or even death.
Another thing is, some people also call this amygdalin vitamin B17 . But that's just a name made up by the son of the doctor mentioned earlier as a marketing ploy. Neither amygdalin nor laetrile are medically approved vitamins.
What does medical research really say?
To date, there have been no controlled clinical trials in humans to prove that laetrile or apricot seeds have any effect against cancer.
Animal and laboratory studies have yielded mixed results. Some studies have found no benefit. Others have shown that amygdalin can reduce pain or slow the growth of or kill some types of cancer cells. But these are only laboratory studies . For example:
- Lung cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Colon cancer
The most important thing is that just because something works in animals or in a lab, it doesn't mean it will work or be safe in humans.
Scientists are still researching this, but until more information is known, no one can say whether amygdalin is safe to use, and if so, how much.
What are the serious risks of eating apricots?
We don't know much about the safety of apricot seeds. Some experts say it's not a good idea for adults to eat more than a few very small seeds. It's also not a good idea for children to eat apricot seeds. Sometimes, even half a seed can cause cyanide poisoning in a small child.
Although apricot seeds are thought to be safer than amygdalin pills, there have been reports of adults being hospitalized after eating as many as 20-30 seeds at once.
Also, eating apricot kernels for a long time can make you sick. Another dangerous thing is to take too much vitamin C with amygdalin. When these two are combined, the cyanide levels in your body can increase even more dangerously.
The symptoms of cyanide poisoning are listed in the table below.
| Symptoms of Cyanide Poisoning | |
|---|---|
| Symptom | Description |
| Dizziness | Feeling unable to stand. |
| Headache | Severe headache. |
| Nausea or vomiting | Feeling like your stomach is turning or vomiting. |
| Rapid breathing and heartbeat | Increased breathing rate and chest tightness. |
| Low blood pressure | Drop in blood pressure. |
| Difficulty breathing | Lung problems and difficulty breathing. |
If these are severe, they can lead to seizures, loss of consciousness, or even death. If you think you have symptoms of cyanide poisoning, seek medical advice immediately. Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) as soon as possible. If in doubt, you can also call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
If you have cancer, be sure to talk to your doctor before trying any natural or alternative treatments. A healthy diet can help reduce your risk of cancer. Fresh fruits like apricots are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. So eating apricots as a fruit is great, but eating their seeds can be very dangerous.
Take-Home Message
- Apricot kernels contain a compound called amygdalin, which is converted into cyanide, a deadly poison in the body.
- There is no reliable medical evidence that apricot kernels can cure cancer.
- This can be very dangerous, and cyanide poisoning can cause serious health problems or even death.
- Do not give apricot kernels to children for any reason.
- Before trying any alternative treatment for cancer, always consult your doctor.
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