But what does the science say? Read on to find out. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrients Claims Warnings Research Success rate Takeaway Overview The apricot kernel is a small but powerful seed that has been linked to possible cancer treatment. Is this alternative treatment safe and effective? Read on to learn more. What nutrients do apricot seeds contain? What are the claims? What are the warnings? What does the research say?
Success rate in treating cancer. The takeaway. Read this next. Wheatgrass Benefits: 10 Reasons to Enjoy. What Are Deer Antler Supplements? There is currently no scientific evidence to support the use of laetrile for these purposes or to treat cancer.
In , the National Cancer Institute NCI pointed out that laetrile leads to cyanide production in the body and that the American Institute of Nutrition Vitamins have not approved it as a vitamin. The NCI note:. They add that there are no reports of any controlled clinical trials that have taken place in people. Also, they point out that because laetrile comes from Mexico, it may not carry the same safety standards governing purity and contents when manufactured. There is also concern that people might take laetrile instead of following proven therapy regimes for cancer, such as targeted drugs or radiation therapy.
Using unproven methods in place of conventional medicine can cause serious harm. Also present in apricot kernels is another so-called vitamin, B, or calcium pangamate.
This, too, has been proposed for treating cancer. No reliable evidence confirms laetrile as an effective treatment for cancer, and there is evidence that it is toxic and potentially fatal. Most websites that support laetrile as a cancer treatment base their claims on anecdotal evidence and unsupported opinions. One such article was published in by Stephen Krashen, a professor of linguistics at the University of Southern California emeritas. However, in , researchers published results of a review of 13 children who had experienced cyanide poisoning after eating apricot kernels.
All the children attended the same pediatric intensive care unit in Turkey between and In , a review of studies published by the Cochrane Library concluded that there was no reliable evidence to show any benefit from using laetrile or amygdalin in the treatment of cancer. A rodent study published in records no antitumor activity after the use of amygdalin, but notes a risk of toxicity.
In , some people who received laetrile as a cancer treatment showed evidence of cyanide toxicity. Also, there were no recorded examples of any improvement in cancer symptoms. Consumption of apricot kernels and laetrile is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. There is a lack of data on the possible risk of congenital disabilities. In conclusion, the ingestion of laetrile and apricot kernels carries a risk of serious illness and death, but manufacturers and producers continue to promote both products widely today.
Processing foods that contain amygdalin reduces the risk but does not eliminate it. Options include crushing, grinding, grating, soaking, fermenting, or drying. If the manufacturers can remove the harmful elements can be removed, certain chemicals inside apricot kernels may one day prove useful for cancer treatment.
For now, however, doctors and other healthcare professionals cannot recommend the use of apricot kernels. Multiple myeloma and lymphoma are two different cancers that affect white blood cells. Learn more about the differences between these two cancers here.
Stage 4 is the most severe cancer stage, and it carries the highest risk of mortality. Medicinal claims must not be made about any food. Apricot kernels have been wrongly promoted as having anti-cancer effects. This has led to some people suffering cyanide poisoning after having consumed more than two kernels per day.
What about bitter almonds? While the EFSA study did not specifically address bitter almonds, studies have shown that the amygdalin level in raw bitter almonds is similar to that of apricot kernels. Therefore, FSAI advises against eating bitter almonds due to the risk of cyanide poisoning. I ate apricot kernels or bitter almonds and I am not feeling well.
What should I do? If you ate apricot kernels or bitter almonds and are feeling unwell, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible. Online Information Centre. Is this page useful? Yes No. E-mail: press [at] efsa. Contact our Ask a Question service! English en Select your language. Search Search. Governance Management board members Executive director Operational Management. Documents Corporate publications. News Multimedia products Infographics Videos Factsheets.
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