Bitter Almonds Update

[SELondon]

I found the first thing that connects consuming bitter almonds with pain in joints and muscles.

food.gov.uk/sites/default/f...

From this it sounds like Rheumatoid Arthritis. After more searching there are others who consumed bitter almonds and developed Parkinson's as well, another neurological complex condition.

Sad thing is that they have still not recalled the batches of almonds sold and they deny that they have sold me bitter almonds, which I feel is incredible. I only found the article because the local authority said there are no upper limits to amygdalin in the UK which is true for only sweet almonds bitter almonds should not be sold raw in the UK, knowingly or unknowingly.

My GP mentioned that I should try and rule everything else first before I jump to conclusions regarding the RA, but the constant pain can be really unbearable. I have also downloaded the RheumaBuddy app, to try and track the daily pain. I still cant work out why some days are bearable and some days are just painful

[Chester1975]

It could be the phytic acid and tannins found in the skin. I soak all of my pulses and nuts with skin, in bicarbonate of soda for 24hrs and rinse thoroughly.

[AgedCrone]

Have you contacted your Local Area Health Authority and asked if they have any up to date information?

Although it is a very upsetting situation for you,…….all the details of how you are feeling, all sound pretty much like normal RA. Symptoms experienced by most people diagnosed with RA.

RA is a Marathon not a Sprint….so listen to your GP, & try to discuss your medication with your rheumy team,

I hope you get some relief very soon .

[SELondon in reply to AgedCrone]

Hi, Ive contacted the Local Authority, they say the suppliers said they were safe to eat and within the limits of safety in the US, so I contacted the food standards agency which the information originally came from. I believe its a public safety issue but they have not been recalled.

Its a lot of fronts to continue to battle, had my ultrasound the they mentioned I should just get physio for my hand. But doesn't explain all the joint pains I've been suffering. But no one seems to believe that my pain might have come from accidentally ingesting bitter almonds which are different variety to sweet almonds and should be not sold unprocessed.

My next rheumatologist appointment is 19th March and I think with this information I hope they will take my concerns a bit more seriously. But those symptoms sounded so much like RA and thought I'd share with the community.

[MJSlide1958]

I hope you can get on the correct medication for your RA with seeing your Rheumatologist. It is trial and error for most, please don't give up you will find a med that works for you and will change your life! Could not see article on Bitter Almonds. I have never seen bitter almonds in supermarket. I only buy the blanced whole almonds with no skin, they are good for breakfast and with baking. I drink a lot of Rude Health Almond milk. But never seen any labels which say Bitter Almonds. Shame the link does not work. Good luck with RA meds.

[SELondon in reply to MJSlide1958]

Yeah bitter almonds are not meant to be sold raw and unprocessed. I was trying to be a healthy snack instead of haribo? Theres advice on high level of cyanide poisoning which happens when you ingest bitter almonds, but low level are not really been investigated. People who have had almost fatal does of cyanide seems to have developed Parkinson's, which is another neurological complex conditions.

Cyanide has a marzipan smell, due to bitter almonds are processed into marzipan and alcoholic drinks. If people watch old films they will also notice that it used to be the poison of choice.

Food Standards Agency Advice Regarding Bitter Almonds

[MJSlide1958 in reply to SELondon]

Shocking! Thank you for the alert!