An apricot kernel is a unmarried seed found within the stone of an apricot. Billed equally a new "superfood," some people believe that apricot kernels have cancer-fighting and detox-enhancing properties.

There is currently no research to support the merits that apricot seeds tin fight cancer. Furthermore, scientists accept warned that a chemical compound in the apricot kernel converts to cyanide in the body at levels that could be harmful.

Is eating apricot kernels a safe alternative style to treat cancer or some other dangerous health fad? We sort the facts from the fiction.

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People buy apricots, apricot kernels, and apricot kernel oil for a range of purposes.

Apricot kernels are similar in appearance to a modest almond. Fresh apricot kernels are white. The skin becomes calorie-free brown when stale out.

In Egypt, people mix coriander seeds and common salt with footing apricot kernel to make a traditional snack, known as "dokka."

Some manufacturers use apricot kernels in the product of cosmetics, medicine, and oil.

The kernels contain protein, cobweb, and a high per centum of oil, which people can extract from the kernel.

People use oil pressed from the sweet kernel tin can be used for cooking in the same way as they might utilize sweet almond oil. Candy foods, such as amaretto biscuits, almond finger biscuits, and apricot jams, comprise apricot kernels.

Some people who live in the N-West Himalayas think wild apricots and their kernels have both nutritional and medicinal uses. Possible uses include biodiesel product, skin, and hair-care products.

Oil and kernels from the bitter multifariousness of apricot kernel are often ingredients in cosmetics, such equally body oil, face up cream, lip lotion, and essential oil.

In India, people use apricot kernel oil is used to make massage oil, because they believe it relieves aches and pains.

What nutrients do apricot kernels comprise?

One study reports that, depending on the type of apricot, the kernels are composed of:

  • Oils: From 27.7 to 66.7 percent
  • Proteins: Betwixt 14.1 and 45.iii per centum, of which 32 to 34 percent are essential amino acids
  • Carbohydrates: From eighteen.i to 27.9 percent

Effectually 5 percent of the kernel is fiber.

Fatty acids

Apricot kernel oil is loftier in essential fatty acids. These are necessary for man health, but the human body cannot produce them, so people must take them in through diet.

There are 2 master types of essential fat acids: linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3).

Linolenic acrid plays a vital role in brain function and salubrious growth and evolution. Fatty acids also stimulate peel and hair growth, regulate metabolism, maintain bone health, and back up the reproductive organisation. Many people call up that fat acids have antioxidant properties.

In a rodent study published in 2011, rats with liver fibrosis received a dose of i.5 milligrams (mg) three times a week for 4 weeks of ground apricot kernels. Researchers found there was an improvement in symptoms.

They suggested this may exist due to antioxidant action, every bit the kernels comprise oleic acid and other polyphenols.

Vitamins and minerals

Apricot kernels do not contain a pregnant corporeality of vitamins and minerals, simply the oil is rich in vitamin Eastward. According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin E has antioxidant backdrop.

Apricot kernels may take some health benefits, and some people take suggested that they may assist fight cancer.

Scientists accept proposed that a chemical compound called amygdalin, present in apricot kernels, may be a way to eradicate tumors and preclude cancer by stopping cells from reproducing.

A laboratory study published in 2005 suggested that amygdalin might inhibit genes that pb to jail cell proliferation.

In 2012, a laboratory study found that enhancing amygdalin with β-D-glucosidase may make information technology useful in treating liver cancer.

What is amygdalin?

Amygdalin is a naturally occurring substance found in apricot kernels.

It is also nowadays in the seeds of other fruit, including apples, cherries, plums, and peaches. Clover, sorghum, and lima beans also contain amygdalin.

Amygdalin is a cyanogenic glycoside.

When someone eats amygdalin, information technology converts to cyanide in their body. Cyanide is a fast-acting, potentially deadly chemical.

Depending on the dose, consuming cyanide can lead to:

  • a headache
  • nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps
  • dizziness
  • weakness
  • mental defoliation
  • convulsions
  • circulatory bug and cardiac arrest
  • inability to breath
  • blackout
  • expiry

Cyanide kills cells in the human torso by preventing them from using oxygen. Cyanide is peculiarly harmful to the heart and the brain because they utilise a lot of oxygen.

Exposure can atomic number 82 to long-term effects on the heart, brain, and nervous system.

Research suggests that 0.5-3.5 milligrams (mg) of cyanide per kilogram (kg) of body weight can be lethal.

The Centers for Affliction Control and Prevention (CDC) note that apricot seeds "may have substantial amounts of chemicals which are metabolized to cyanide."

Estimates state that eating 50 to lx apricot kernels could deliver a lethal dose of cyanide. Cyanide poisoning tin occur at much lower levels, however.

Commercial sources that promote the consumption of raw apricot kernels recommend between six and 10 kernels per twenty-four hours. Some recommend more for people with cancer, merely this can be dangerous.

People who follow these dose recommendations are likely to be exposed to cyanide levels that crusade cyanide poisoning.

The European Food Rubber Authority (EFSA) take warned that a single serving of three small apricot kernels or one large apricot kernel could put adults over the suggested safe levels of cyanide exposure, while 1 small kernel could be toxic to an infant.

The EFSA advise that no ane should eat more than 20 micrograms (mcg) of cyanide per kilogram of torso weight at one fourth dimension. This limits consumption to one kernel for adults. Even half a kernel would be over the limit for children.

Researchers note that the seeds of bitter apricots take a particularly high level of amygdalin at 5.five grams (one thousand) in every 100 g.

What is laetrile? What is vitamin B-17?

Laetrile, also called B-17, is a partly synthetic form of amygdalin. Information technology has been proposed as an alternative treatment for cancer.

Laetrile is produced from amygdalin through a chemical reaction with water.

In 1952, the biochemist, Ernst T. Krebs, Jr. developed laetrile in an injectable form. His father had tried apricot seeds every bit a cancer handling in 1920, merely this proved to be toxic.

Some people with cancer might take laetrile in the hope that information technology will:

  • heave their energy levels
  • ameliorate their health and sense of wellbeing
  • "detox" and cleanse the torso
  • prolong life

It is available as:

  • a pare balm
  • oral tablets
  • injections
  • a liquid inserted into the rectum.

The United States Food and Drug Assistants (FDA) do not approve B-17, or laetrile, for use in the U.Southward. It is deemed unsafe for food and drug use. It has not been shown to have any use in the handling of any illness.

Side effects of laetrile are similar to those of cyanide poisoning.

They include:

  • nausea, vomiting, and headache
  • dizziness
  • very depression blood pressure and blue skin due to low oxygen levels
  • liver damage
  • droopy upper eyelid
  • difficulty walking due to nervus damage
  • fever
  • confusion
  • coma
  • death

Some sources take promoted the utilise of laetrile as an anti-cancer amanuensis, and it is available as a treatment in Mexico and some clinics in the U.Due south.

Some sources suggest that people take laetrile to:

  • improve free energy levels and well-existence
  • detox the torso
  • help them alive longer

There is currently no scientific evidence to support the apply of laetrile for these purposes or to treat cancer.

What do the health government say?

In 2018, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) pointed out that laetrile leads to cyanide product in the trunk and that the American Establish of Nutrition Vitamins have not approved it as a vitamin.

The NCI note:

"Anecdotal reports and example reports have non shown laetrile to exist an effective treatment for cancer."

They add that in that location are no reports of whatever controlled clinical trials that have taken identify in people.

Also, they bespeak out that because laetrile comes from Mexico, it may not bear the aforementioned condom standards governing purity and contents when manufactured.

In that location is besides business 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.

The NCI add together that the FDA "has non approved laetrile every bit a treatment for cancer or any other medical status."

What nigh vitamin B-15?

Likewise present in apricot kernels is some other and so-called vitamin, B-15, or calcium pangamate. This, too, has been proposed for treating cancer.

However, as long ago as 1980, scientists concluded that calcium pangamate can cause genetic mutations and has a "90-percent probability" of causing rather than curing cancer.

The FDA considers vitamin B-15 "unsafe for food and drug use."

No reliable prove confirms laetrile as an effective handling for cancer, and there is evidence that it is toxic and potentially fatal.

Virtually websites that support laetrile equally a cancer treatment base their claims on anecdotal evidence and unsupported opinions.

One such article was published in 2008 past Stephen Krashen, a professor of linguistics at the University of Southern California (emeritas). Krashen argued that "Death past apricot kernels appears to be rare."

Krashen suggested that people may "accommodate"apricot kernels, "having negative reactions at first but gradually building up to higher doses."

However, in 2010, researchers published results of a review of thirteen children who had experienced cyanide poisoning after eating apricot kernels. All the children attended the same pediatric intensive intendance unit of measurement in Turkey between 2005 and 2009.

The scientists concluded:

"Cyanide poisoning associated with ingestion of apricot seeds is an of import poison in children, many of whom crave intensive care."

In 2015, a review of studies published by the Cochrane Library concluded that there was no reliable testify to evidence whatsoever do good from using laetrile or amygdalin in the treatment of cancer.

A rodent written report published in 1975 records no antitumor activity afterward the use of amygdalin, but notes a risk of toxicity.

In 1982, some people who received laetrile equally a cancer treatment showed evidence of cyanide toxicity. Likewise, there were no recorded examples of whatsoever improvement in cancer symptoms.

Consumption of apricot kernels and laetrile is non recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. In that location is a lack of data on the possible chance of congenital disabilities.

In 2006, Cancer Treatment Watch posted an article, originally published in 1977, describing the use of laetrile every bit "quackery"and criticizing promoters of the supplement for preying on the fears of people with cancer to maintain a lucrative international business.

In decision, the ingestion of laetrile and apricot kernels carries a adventure of serious illness and expiry, just manufacturers and producers continue to promote both products widely today.

Processing foods that comprise amygdalin reduces the risk only does not eliminate information technology. Options include crushing, grinding, grating, soaking, fermenting, or drying.

If the manufacturers can remove the harmful elements can be removed, sure chemicals inside apricot kernels may i twenty-four hours prove useful for cancer treatment. For now, however, doctors and other healthcare professionals cannot recommend the use of apricot kernels.