What vitamin can harm us?

Clinical dietitian Maria Mandzorou talks about a “vitamin” that is toxic and can cause harm.

Vitamins are important nutrients that we must get from food because our bodies cannot synthesize them on their own. The exception is vitamin D, the main source of which is the sun and only to a lesser extent food. In general, many have probably heard about certain vitamins, such as A, C, D, B12.

A few years ago a new “vitamin” appeared – “vitamin B17”. This substance is called amygdalin and is not actually a vitamin.. This substance is mainly found in the seeds, as well as in apricot kernels and bitter almonds.

Pseudo-scientists with unsubstantiated claims have presented this substance (and the use of apricot kernels) in as a treatment or prevention for cancer. However, studies have proven that this is not true; there is a high risk of poisoning and even death. This is due to the fact that this substance is cyanideand its use can cause poisoning, since if the seed is damaged (for example, by chewing) amygdalin promotes the release of toxic cyanides in the body.

During hydrolysis, the amygdalin molecule breaks down into two glucose molecules, a benzaldehyde molecule and a hydrocyanic acid molecule. This occurs in an acidic environment or under the action of the emulsin enzyme contained in the stone. Due to the formation of hydrocyanic acid one gram of amygdalin is a lethal dose.

Several cases have been reported in our country and abroad, with the most recent example being a cancer patient who had low oxygen levels during surgery due to very high cyanide levels in the blood after years of consuming apricot kernel extract. Several cases of poisoning have been reported in Greece.

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