Although there are substantial advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, this disease continues to be one of the biggest causes of death in the so called advanced countries of the world. It is estimated that roughly one in three people will eventually develop cancer. Surgery and radiotherapy are capable of curing some patients with localised tumours and chemotherapy has achieved cures in some ten types of malignant tumours. However, the general mortality rate from cancer has not improved substantially in the last 25 years. By the time 60 percent of cancer patients are diagnosed, their disease is so widespread that chemotherapy drugs cannot be given in dosages high enough to destroy the tumor mass due to the high toxicity of these drugs. There are several types of tumours for which there is no effective treatment yet known, but chemotherapy is often prescribed as the only option.

However, there is a vegetable agent with anti-tumour action that has been known about for many years and has been scientifically proven over the last thirty-five years, primarily through the clinical studies directed by well respected metabolic physicians around the world. (see reference)

This anti-tumour agent has been labelled as Vitamin B-17 (commonly known as Amygdalin or Laetrile). However, this is not a vitamin you can buy at your local health food store for reasons mentioned above. According to Dr. Ernest T. Krebs, Jr. its components make it vital for our survival without cancer. B17 can be found in its greatest concentration from the seeds of the rosaceous fruits, such as the apricot kernels and other bitter nuts. Records from the oldest civilisations such as at the time of the Pharaohs in Egypt and from China 2,500 years before Christ, have mentioned the therapeutic use of bitter almonds. Egyptian papyri from 5,000 years ago mention the use of "aqua amigdalorum" for the treatment of some tumours of the skin.

Vitamin B17 is an extract from apricot kernels, which makes it a food supplement and nothing more. Vitamin B17 is one of the main sources of food in cultures such as the Eskimos, the Hunzas, the Abkasians and many more. Did you know that within these tribes there has never been a reported case of cancer? According to Dr. Krebs, we need a minimum of 100 mg of vitamin B-17 per day (the equivalent of about seven apricots seeds per day) to nearly guarantee a cancer free life.

Amygdalin's Mode of Action

Ok, so now you are asking “how does this work?” Well here comes the scientific bit…. Metabolic therapy is a non-toxic cancer treatment based on the use of Vitamin B- 17, proteolytic pancreatic enzymes, immuno-stimulants, and vitamin and mineral supplements. Laetrile (B-17) is an anti-tumour and natural chemotherapeutic agent. Laetrile has been labeled controversial, but over the years, it has been proven that amygdalin is completely safe and non-toxic.

Our normal healthy cells contain an enzyme called “Rhodanese” which "neutralises" the amygdalin. Basically, this enzyme does NOT allow the amygdalin to release a cyanide molecule that destroys the cancer cell. Amygdalin only serves as glucose to healthy cells providing energy.

Malignant cells do not contain “Rhodanese”. Therefore in the absence of Rhodanese, the amygdalin is activated to release the cyanide radical inside the malignant cell causing its destruction. This is the way God has created things. Only cancer cells are destroyed but normal healthy cells are unaffected. As the amygdalin attacks cancerous cells, it transforms into a silicate, which is much like aspirin and contributes to pain control. There are hundreds of clinical studies conducted by many respected physicians around the world, who have given us complete confidence that there is no danger.

Many national cancer institutes mention that laetrile is dangerous as it contains cyanide - however this is yet again due to lack of knowledge, or admittance on their part. That there is no "free floating" hydrogen cyanide in Laetrile. When Laetrile comes in contact with an enzyme named beta-glucosidase, it is broken down into two molecules of glucose, one molecule of benzaldehyde and one molecule of hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Within the body, the cancer cell, and only the cancer cell contains this enzyme. Therefore, the HCN must be FORMED. It is not floating around freely in the Laetrile. It must be manufactured within the cancer cell. Only the enzyme beta glucosidase, is capable of manufacturing the HCN from Laetrile. If there are no cancer cells in the body, there is no beta-glucosidase and therefore no HCN will be formed.

Laetrile does contain the cyanide radical (CN). This same cyanide radical is also contained in Vitamin B12, and in berries such as blackberries, blueberries and strawberries. You never hear of anyone getting cyanide poisoning from vitamin B12 or any of the above-mentioned berries. The cyanide radical (CW) and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) are two completely different compounds, just as pure sodium (Na+) - one of the most toxic substances known to mankind - and sodium chloride (NaCl), which is table salt, are two completely different compounds.

For prevention Dr Krebs recommends 5-7 apricot kernels per day
For cancer treatment he recommends intravenous B17 along with the full metabolic therapy.

More information can be found here www.worldwithoutcancer.org.uk