Oasis of Hope

The use of Amygdalin (Vitamin B-17) in Metabolic Cancer Therapy Francisco Contreras, M.D. Oasis of Hope Hospital

Amygdalin's Mode of Action Metabolism is the total function of our body. In order for our body to function properly, all its attributes (physical, mental, and spiritual) must work in harmony. Total care is the goal of metabolic therapy. Metabolic therapy elements are utilised in order to provide our human organism the best environment to combat disease and regain health.


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 the chief anti-tumour agent. It is a natural chemotherapeutic agent found in over 1,200 plants, particularly in the seeds of common fruits such as apricots, peaches, plums, and apples. It is also a diglucoside with cyanide radical that is highly "bio-accessible." This means that it penetrates through the cellular membrane reaching high intra-cellular concentrations easily. This cyanide radical is what once made the vitamin controversial, but over the years, it has been proven that amygdalin is completely safe and non-toxic.

The normal cells in our organism contain an enzyme called Rhodanese which "neutralises" the amygdalin. This enzyme does not allow the amygdalin to release the cyanide. In this way, amygdalin only serves as glucose to healthy cells providing energy. Malignant cells do not contain this enzyme. In the absence of Rhodanese, the amygdalin is activated liberating the cyanide radical inside the malignant cell causing its destruction. This is the way God creates things: Only cancer cells are destroyed but normal ones are not affected. As the amygdalin attacks unhealthy cells, it transforms into a silicate, which is much like aspirin. It contributes greatly to pain control. The hundreds of clinical studies conducted by many competent physicians around the world, including those directed by Dr. Emesto Contreras Rodriguez at the Oasis of Hope Hospital hospital in Mexico, give us complete confidence that there is no danger.

Laetrile and the Life Saving Substance Called Cyanide by Philip Binzel, Jr., M.D. A doctor from the U.S. FDA once said that Laetrile contains "free" hydrogen cyanide and, thus, is toxic. I would like to correct that misconception: There is no "free" hydrogen cyanide in Laetrile. When Laetrile comes in contact with the enzyme beta-glucosidase, the Laetrile is broken down to form 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 that enzyme. The key word here is that the HCN must be FORMED. It is not floating around freely in the Laetrile and then released. It must be manufactured. The enzyme beta glucosidase, and only that enzyme, is capable of manufacturing the HCN from Laetrile. If there are no cancer cells in the body, there is no beta-glucosidase. If there is no beta-glucosidase, no HCN will be formed from the Laetrile (1). Laetrile does contain the cyanide radical (CN). This same cyanide radical is contained in Vitamin B12, and in berries such as blackberries, blueberries and strawberries. You never hear of anyone getting cyanide poisoning from 12 or any of the above-mentioned berries, because they do not. 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.

If the above is true, how did the story ever get started that Laetrile contains "free" hydrogen cyanide? It was the Food and Drug Administration. For a more detailed analysis of the theoretical action of Laetrile against cancer cells, see G. Edward Griffin, World Without Cancer (Thousand Oaks, CA: American Media, 1974). I remember reading in some newspaper back in the late 1960's or early 1970's a news release from the FDA. This release stated that there were some proponents of a substance known as "Laetrile" (I'd never heard of it before) who were saying that this substance was capable of forming hydrogen cyanide in the presence of the cancer cell. The release continued by saying that, if this were actually true, we had, indeed, found a substance, which was target-specific, and would be of great value to the cancer patient. But, the news release went on to say, the FDA had done extensive testing of this substance, "Laetrile," and found no evidence that it contained hydrogen cyanide or that any hydrogen cyanide was released in the presence of the cancer cell. Thus, they said, Laetrile was of no value. When it was clearly established some time later that Laetrile did, indeed, release hydrogen cyanide in the presence of the cancer cell, how do you suppose the FDA reacted? Did they admit that they were wrong? Did they admit that they had done a very inadequate job in running their tests? No!

They now proclaimed that Laetrile contained hydrogen cyanide and thus was toxic! So, here is a bureau of the Federal Government which, a short time before, had said that the reason Laetrile did not work was because it did not release hydrogen cyanide in the presence of cancer cells. Now, when they find that it does, they say that it is toxic. When offered an opportunity to present evidence of Laetrile's toxicity in Federal Court, they admitted that they had none. (See Chapter One Alive and Well by Dr. Philip Binzel, available at: http://www.realityzone.com or see Contacts). Graphic on Action of Laetrile in Cancer (A graphic representation of the chemistry of Nitrilosides in Cancer) The founder of I.G. Farbin, Co., Leibig, discovered amygdalin in 1822.

I.G. Farbin is a huge cartel containing some 2000 other cartels. Krebs discovered L-Mandelonitrile-beta-glucoside in 1922 (extrinsic). Beard sited role of trophoblast in British medical magazine Lancet and in 1904 and discussed intrinsic factor chymotrypsin. It was Dr. Ernest T. Krebs, Jr. who discovered the role of Nitrilosides, the extrensic factor, shown below: Though it has limitations in certain cancers, vitamin B17 may be extremely effective in the most common tumours such as carcinoma of the lung, breast, prostate, colon, and lymphomas. A highly publicised clinical trial conducted by the National Cancer Institute in 1981 tried unsuccessfully to prove Laetrile ineffective and toxic. Today, Laetrile occupies a position on the "front lines" of alternative cancer therapy. "We have found Laetrile to be effective in people that have active cancer", says Dr. Contreras "but that is not its only function, for the prevention of cancer and the maintenance of remission there is nothing as effective as Laetrile. Its non-toxicity permits its use indefinitely in the prevention of relapses and the prevention of metastases. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy can only be administered for a limited time, afterward patients are left without any protection".

A Word About Amygdalin - Natures Cancer Fighter?
Amygdalin and Natural Cancer Therapy.
Amygdalin made in Mexico comes from crushed apricot pits and is used in metabolic therapy, such as that carried out at The Oasis of Hope in Mexico and other locations around the world. The Amygdalin is broken down into its component parts as a result of the action of the enzyme Beta-Glucosidase. When it's been broken down the work of finding and killing cancer cells starts. Amygdalin is composed of the following: 2 molecules of Glucose (a sugar) 1 molecule of Hydro cyanic acid (an anti-neoplastic compound) 1 molecule of Benzaldehyde (an analgesic). Importantly this enzyme is found in abundance in cancer cells, and is relatively deficient in normal cells. Consequently, cyanide is only released where there is an active cancer lesion/tumor. This liberation of cyanide under controlled and safe conditions insures that an adequate dosage can be administered without the threat of toxic side effects. This absence of cyanide toxicity is further insured by the action of Rhodanese, another enzyme. This enzyme is present in large quantities in normal cells but in very small amounts in cancer cells. Detoxification of cyanide occurs, therefore, in normal mammalian tissue through the action of this Rhodanese which, in the presence of sulfur-bearing compounds, converts free cyanide to Thiocyanate, a perfectly non-toxic compound. The Thiocyanate is then excreted in the urine.