apricot kernals: Hi i was just woundering if... - My Ovacome

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apricot kernals

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Hi i was just woundering if anyone has tried apricot kernals to help with their cancer I have been reading lots about how they can help, have sent for some but have no idea how to take them or how much to take and if there are any side effects can anyone help also can you take them while still on chemo,you lot out there allways help when I ask questions so don‘tmlet me down xxxx

12 Replies
January-2016-UK profile image
January-2016-UK

It's my understanding that they contain a compound which is converted to cyanide in the body. I make apricot jam by cracking half the stones and inserting the kernels into the jam. I doubt that many of the kernels are consumed on my toast or the couple of tablespoons of jam coupled with brandy to make a glaze for a dried fruit topping on my Christmas cake.

I'm guessing that a packet of apricot kernels may well be more problematic. However, nterestingly, my jam recipe is from Delia Smith's Summer Cookery and just now as a result of your post, I wanted to post a link to the recipe on-line but I see it doesn't mention the use of the kernels. It does in the book (dated 1993). Maybe I might leave them out......

Cropcrop profile image
Cropcrop

Hi, as you know, I'm a great believer that we are what we eat, I really don't like faddy diets and am not one who believes in eating our way out of cancer by itself, I believe that the chemo, whilst toxic to us, is the best way forward. Having said that I am always open to what nature provides and believe we can help ourselves alongside the medical profession by following a healthy diet and avoiding over processed foods, chemo makes us feel rotten and sometimes the best reward is to ourselves is to eat something 'nice' it's a fine balancing act.

It was noted by a major who was stationed with the medical corps in the Indian medical service in the 1930's that a group of people called Hunzas were extermely healthy and disease free with a seemingly exceptionally long life span , What made the Hunzas so resilient to disease? Their vitality had a lot to do with what they ate and their overall lifestyle. Their diet was simple. According to major Robert McCarrison, it consisted of raw milk, the occasional meat and bone broth, fresh grains and veggies. They ate very little sugar and their lifestyles as nomads and herders meant they got plenty of vigorous exercise. The other characteristic was that the group ate large quantities of apricot seed kernels. Intrigued by this peculiarity, Doctor Robert Krebs researched this information in the 1950's until he found what he thought was the secret weapon for tumor eradication – amygdalin. Bear in mind that these two 'discoveries' were 80 and 60 years ago respectively.

Amygdalin is a compound that is found in over 1200 edible plants in nature (and, not surprisingly, is also missing in large part from the Standard Western Diet). It is found in the highest concentrations and with the most effective accompanying enzymes in apricot seed kernels.

The substance laetrile was created by Dr. Krebs as a concentrated form of amygdalin that is obtained by extracting it from apricot kernels. Amygdalin is a nitriloside and its structure most resembles that of a B complex vitamin, so Krebs named it B17.

it is my understanding from the article that because cancer cells are mutated cells not normal cells, they contain beta-glucosidase, which healthy cells do not. Beta-glucosidase is also the “unlocking enzyme” for the cyanide and benzaldehyde in amygdalin molecules. When the beta-glucosidase in a cancer cell unlocks an amygdalin molecule, a toxic reaction is created that specifically targets cancer cells. With the help of protective enzymes, healthy cells are not jeopardized by this process..

It is all very complicated and very scientific and I think it needs full research however cyanide is present in many healthy foods, such as bitter almonds, millet, sprouts, lima beans, spinach and bamboo shoots, yet they are still safe to eat and spinach in particular is very healthy both raw and cooked. I think the mutation in the cancerous cells makes the reaction with the cyanide the key point.

I personally would have thought if the apricot kernel is as good as is stated in the articles I have looked at, that it would already be being offered to us, it may indeed already be out there but under a different name? I do know that the American FDA banned its use in 1971. But that it is readily available in powdered form, so if it is highly toxic it wouldn't be available so readily? a very emotive subject and one that needs extensive research.

Nature gives us many of our drugs, paclitaxol originally comes from the Pacific yew tree, aspirin comes originally from willow bark etc etc but like anything there is toxicity to be looked at too. Many herbal remedies also have contraindications, St. John's wort can have extreme side effects if taken to excess, yet if taken correctly can be beneficial to some.

I would suggest you really research the dosages before you decide to go further with this and also you need to discuss this with your oncology team before making any decisions. Apologies for my lengthy reply I just find these topics fascinating. Do let us know how you get on with this as it could be the way forward? Be as well as you possibly can be, love and best wished ❤️Xx Jane

lorraine71-Australia profile image
lorraine71-Australia in reply to Cropcrop

Hi Jane Great reply ..Lorraine xx

in reply to Cropcrop

Thanks for your reply it was lengthy but also very good,still unsure I know that if I ask my oncology team the amswer will be no so like you surgest it means back to the web for more resurch a big thanks for your help keep well xxx

Howick01 profile image
Howick01

Way back a clinic in Mexico offered treatment with apricot kernels.

Steve McQueen was one of the famous people who tried this to cure his cancer.

I think I am remembering this correctly as it was a long time ago .

Take care x

SCWI profile image
SCWI

There is a lot of information on this subject in Chris Woolams book Everything you need to know to beat cancer. It ends by saying never eat more than five kernels on one go. Please research carefully before you take them as it is complicated. Xx

Thank you all for your replys still don‘t know what to do I am sure that if I ask my onclogy team I know they wil say no not to take them but, after reading lots of good reports on line about them I am sure that they they can only do good,you ladys out there are always so helpful think it is back to the web for more research xx

Clipper15 profile image
Clipper15

Hi, I take 6 apricot kernals per day in a smoothie because they are pretty yuk to chew. Only time will tell if they are effective.

in reply to Clipper15

Thank you so much I have crushed the kernals and would only take one tsp per day but still a little worred,did you start to take them while you where on chemo or wait until your chemo had stopped confused

Clipper15 profile image
Clipper15 in reply to

I waited until I had stopped chemo. I am sure I read somewhere its one kernal per 10 lbs in weight but cant remember where. I will do some research and get bsvk to you. I need to know for myself to. Give me a couple of days.

Clipper15 profile image
Clipper15 in reply to Clipper15

I am not recommending taking 6 as you need to research and assess yourself. I do know you have to be very careful.

Sunfleury-UK profile image
Sunfleury-UK

There's some quite good background info here from CRUK about key ingredient in apricot kernels.. . Worth a look: cancerresearchuk.org/about-...

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