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Amygdala is a phytochemical found in fruits that releases cyanide when decomposed. It has been used as an alternative cancer treatment, but agencies like the National Cancer Institute consider it ineffective and dangerous. Laetrile, a molecule containing part of the amygdala structure, is not approved by the FDA and has toxic side effects. Laetrile adherents claim it is effective, but studies have shown it to be ineffective in curing cancer and toxic to normal cells.
Amygdala is a phytochemical derived from the seeds of various fruits, including apricots and bitter almonds. The decomposition of this compound releases cyanide. It has been used in the treatment of cancer on various occasions since the 19th century, but its use today is highly controversial. Agencies in the United States, such as the National Cancer Institute, consider it ineffective in the treatment of cancer and dangerous to use. Proponents, however, consider it an alternative cancer treatment.
There is some confusion between amygdala and laetrile. In the United States, laetrile is a molecule that contains part of the structure of the amygdala. By contrast, in Mexico, laetrile is a different substance, composed of amygdalin that has been isolated from apricots.
At one point, it was claimed that the amygdala was a vitamin, known as vitamin B17. There are two theories for this. One was that cancer develops due to a lack of vitamin B17, but there is no data for this theory. The other hypothesis was that being labeled as a dietary supplement allowed the compound to avoid the scrutiny given to drugs by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The FDA has not approved laetrile for use and will prosecute vendors who sell it. Amygdalin clinical trials have suggested that this compound is ineffective in curing cancer and has toxic side effects. For example, in 1982, there was a trial with 178 patients. The tumors became larger in all patients. In addition, several patients suffered from cyanide poisoning as a side effect of the treatment.
Laetrile adherents questioned the methodology of this study. They also questioned the financial motives for the study and remain convinced that laetrile is an effective treatment. There are clinics in Mexico that offer this treatment to cancer patients from other countries.
There are several different ways that laetrile can be administered. It can be taken as a pill, an injection, or intravenously. All can have side effects, but taking it in pill form is thought to pose the greatest risk of cyanide poisoning. Side effects include vomiting, nausea, dizziness, headache, liver damage, and coma. People have died from taking tonsillar pills, which are especially dangerous with high doses of vitamin C.
Promoters of laetrile as a cancer cure claim that the released cyanide specifically targets cancer cells. This has been found not to be true in laboratory studies. Cyanide was found to affect both normal cells and cancer cells in the same way. The amygdala appears to be one of nature’s plant toxins.
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