Laetrile (also known as Amygdalin and Vitamin B17) is a concentrated form of nitriloside found in the seeds of bitter almonds, apricots, cherry and other fruits. It properties have been used and studied extensively for well over 100 years. The most common source of B17 is the apricot kernel although it can be found in other fruits. B17 can be administered orally or intravenously. It is not only well know for its anti-cancer properties but also for its use in pain management. It can also be used as a main ingredient for insulin potentiation therapy or IPT. Laetrile is made up of glucose, hydrogen cyanide (the reason for all the discussion about Laetrile) and benzaldehyde (an effective painkiller). When injected into the body, laetrile is broken down by an enzyme called rhodanese, which is present in healthy cells. This breaks it down into two by-products, thiocyanate and benzoic acid, which are beneficial in nourishing healthy cells.
Cancer cells do not have the enzyme rhodanese. Instead they have a different enzyme called beta-glucosidase. Beta-glucosidase reacts with Laetrile, causing the hydrogen cyanide and benzaldehyde to combine. This reaction destroys and kills the cancer cells.