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Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Anne Marie's Chemistry Blog

By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., About.com Guide to Chemistry

Yes, Apple Seeds and Cherry Pits are Poisonous

Wednesday September 12, 2007
In fact, if you eat enough apple seeds or cherry pits, you could die. Apple seeds contain cyanogenic acids. Cherry pits, and seeds from related fruits, including peaches, plums, almonds, pears, and apricots, contain cyanogenic glycosides. Your body can detoxify small quantities of cyanide compounds. If you accidentally eat a cherry pit in a pie or swallow an apple seed or two, you'll be fine. Actually, if you swallow several seeds whole, you would absorb a minimal amount of the toxic compounds. Chewing the seeds makes them much more hazardous to your health. Children and pets are much more likely to suffer poisoning from eating the seeds than adults.

Symptoms of mild poisoning include headache, dizziness, confusion, anxiety, and vomiting. Larger doses can lead to difficulty breathing, increased blood pressure and heart rate, and kidney failure. Reactions can include coma, convulsions, and death from respiratory arrest. There are several treatment options, but the main thing is to limit the absorption of the chemicals from the seeds. Basically, this means it's important to seek immediate medical attention if a child or pet is known to have eaten several seeds. Usually, the plan of action is to pump the stomach or induce vomiting. Antidotes are available, but they are somewhat controversial. If you or someone you know eats a seed or two, don't worry... as I said, your body is well-equipped to detoxify small quantities of cyanide compounds. They naturally occur in several foods. However, if you were wondering whether or not it's true that the seeds and pits are toxic and potentially lethal... yes, apple seeds and cherry pits are poisonous.

What Is the Most Poisonous Chemical? | Food & Cooking Chemistry
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Comments

September 13, 2007 at 7:18 am
(1) NeithaN says:

Impressive! I didn’t know that, but I always remember this quote: “Dose makes poison” ;)

January 20, 2008 at 4:10 pm
(2) Verona says:

Are you serious? As long as I remember I ate the cherry and swallowed the pit. I grew up in the country. I was never told by my parents both of whom are medical professionals that it could poison me; and I’m very sure they knew about this habit. I still eat the pit and almost never spit it out. Hm something to remember next time I have cherries.

March 16, 2008 at 12:51 am
(3) bonita says:

so how do you explain all the folks that have eaten apple and apricot seeds to cure their cancer? it’s my understanding the cyanide is bound and requires a particular enzyme to release it. cancer contains this enzyme so when it attaches to cancer the cyanide is released killing the cancer cells. plenty of people eat these seeds and don’t seem to be dropping dead, in fact, quite the opposite.

March 16, 2008 at 9:25 am
(4) chemistry says:

I’m not sure how you see that as an argument against their toxicity. Many chemotherapeutic substances are highly poisonous. If you are implying the cyanide compound in the seeds is only active against cancer cells, I believe you are mistaken. People die every year from eating too many of these seeds. Is it possible cancer cells are more susceptible to the toxin than healthy cells? Certainly, but that doesn’t mean it’s categorically safe to eat the seeds.

March 17, 2008 at 5:21 pm
(5) alex says:

Eh? What is this “people die every year” stuff? The AMA report that always comes up when anyone talks about apple seeds reports on a single case of fatal seed poisoning. Am I saying people should eat apple seeds constantly? No (although I eat the whole apple, which includes the seeds–though without chewing them). But “people die every year” seems rather… alarmist, ne?

March 18, 2008 at 9:16 pm
(6) Lee says:

“In fact, if you eat enough apple seeds or cherry pits, you could die.”

Anne, Anne, Anne…..

WOW….Odiously you did not do ANY research on this, except for listing to the A.M.A. or a Doctor that
read this somewhere years ago.

My God women….do some real investigative reporting!!!

NO, NO, NO. Eating apple or cherry seeds will not kill you!!! That is, unless you plan on eating
a bunch of them. But then again, it seams like eating anything in large quantities will kill or make you real sick.

Example, Salt….Your body needs it….eat to little and you will get sick….eat to much and you will Die….its kind of like that.

Also, for the bible thumpers, like me. It says in several places to eat the fruits, nuts and SEEDS of the earth.

For a last thought. Try, just try and find any research that has been done on what quantity of cyanide is in apple or appricote seeds. I dare you.

Below is more info and a hyperlink:

“Everyone should know that most cancer research is largely a fraud…” – Linus Pauling PhD (1901-1994) Two times Nobel Prize winner.

—————————————–
“Eat you apple seeds” —– > http://surfingthetao.vox.com/library/post/eat-your-apple-seeds.html
—————————————–

Vitamin B17 (also called Amygdalin or Laetrile) is one of the most controversial substances in cancer research. It is a nitriloside, which occurs naturally in fruit seeds, some berries, flax, millet, and some beans, leaves, grasses and nuts. Touted as a cure for cancer several decades ago by Dr. Ernst T. Krebs, it has since been discredited by orthodox medicine as “quackery.” Respected researcher Dr. Kanematsu Sugiura was fired after refusing to publish false test results on Laetrile – he stood firm in his belief in it. One of the most famous proponents of B17 is G. Edward Griffin, whose book, video and articles attempt to explain what the fuss is all about.

These and other researchers contend that cancer is little more than a deficiency disease, much like scurvy or pellagra. In cultures that eat foods high in nitrilosides such as the Hunza or the Eskimo, cancer is unheard of. But today, our modern diets have all but eliminated this vital nutrient. The medical establishment, on the other hand, has worked hard to undermine confidence in this substance. Their “official” reason? Because it contains a molecule of cyanide. But Mr. Griffin’s video and many other articles and websites explain how the molecule is uniquely absorbed and used by the body: the only enzyme that can break it down exists only in a tumor cell, so in a sense it becomes a kind of “cancer smart-bomb,” and is neutralized in the body’s other healthy cells.

Of course many also contend that the pharmaceutical industry has a lot of financial incentive to ensure that vitamin B17 remains illegal and unacceptable by the medical establishment. Unable to patent a naturally occurring substance (and thereby in risk of losing a $200 billion a year industry), a war is being waged on the forefront of cancer research – each side supporting various studies on its effectiveness. In fact it is even illegal to sell Laetrile as a cure for cancer in the U.S. – and some have gone to jail for it. Despite this I found information online about proper dosages and “The Little Cyanide Cookbook” which explains how to prepare foods high in Vitamin B17. Foods containing B17 include berries, beans, nuts (especially the bitter almond), and various veggies – but the most is found in apricot seeds (the little seed found inside the pit) and apple seeds – in fact it’s said three apples a day, including the seeds, could prevent cancer.

What’s that old saying, an apple a day? Could be more important than we know.
“…when government officials spend money on weapons instead of cures;…all this is robbery and chaos. It is not in keeping with the Tao.” -Tao Te Ching

Thanks,

Lee

March 18, 2008 at 9:21 pm
(7) Lee says:

“In fact, if you eat enough apple seeds or cherry pits, you could die.”

Anne, Anne, Anne…..

WOW….Odiously you did not do ANY research on this, except for listing to the A.M.A. or a Doctor that
read this somewhere years ago.

My God women….do some real investigative reporting!!!

NO, NO, NO. Eating apple or cherry seeds will not kill you!!! That is, unless you plan on eating
a bunch of them. But then again, it seams like eating anything in large quantities will kill or make you real sick.

Example, Salt….Your body needs it….eat to little and you will get sick….eat to much and you will Die….its kind of like that.

Also, for the bible thumpers, like me. It says in several places to eat the fruits, nuts and SEEDS of the earth.

For a last thought. Try, just try and find any research that has been done on what quantity of cyanide is in apple or appricote seeds. I dare you.

Below is more info and a hyperlink:

“Everyone should know that most cancer research is largely a fraud…” – Linus Pauling PhD (1901-1994) Two times Nobel Prize winner.

—————————————–
“Eat you apple seeds” —– > surfingthetao.vox.com/library/post/eat-your-apple-seeds.html
—————————————–

Vitamin B17 (also called Amygdalin or Laetrile) is one of the most controversial substances in cancer research. It is a nitriloside, which occurs naturally in fruit seeds, some berries, flax, millet, and some beans, leaves, grasses and nuts. Touted as a cure for cancer several decades ago by Dr. Ernst T. Krebs, it has since been discredited by orthodox medicine as “quackery.” Respected researcher Dr. Kanematsu Sugiura was fired after refusing to publish false test results on Laetrile – he stood firm in his belief in it. One of the most famous proponents of B17 is G. Edward Griffin, whose book, video and articles attempt to explain what the fuss is all about.

These and other researchers contend that cancer is little more than a deficiency disease, much like scurvy or pellagra. In cultures that eat foods high in nitrilosides such as the Hunza or the Eskimo, cancer is unheard of. But today, our modern diets have all but eliminated this vital nutrient. The medical establishment, on the other hand, has worked hard to undermine confidence in this substance. Their “official” reason? Because it contains a molecule of cyanide. But Mr. Griffin’s video and many other articles and websites explain how the molecule is uniquely absorbed and used by the body: the only enzyme that can break it down exists only in a tumor cell, so in a sense it becomes a kind of “cancer smart-bomb,” and is neutralized in the body’s other healthy cells.

Of course many also contend that the pharmaceutical industry has a lot of financial incentive to ensure that vitamin B17 remains illegal and unacceptable by the medical establishment. Unable to patent a naturally occurring substance (and thereby in risk of losing a $200 billion a year industry), a war is being waged on the forefront of cancer research – each side supporting various studies on its effectiveness. In fact it is even illegal to sell Laetrile as a cure for cancer in the U.S. – and some have gone to jail for it. Despite this I found information online about proper dosages and “The Little Cyanide Cookbook” which explains how to prepare foods high in Vitamin B17. Foods containing B17 include berries, beans, nuts (especially the bitter almond), and various veggies – but the most is found in apricot seeds (the little seed found inside the pit) and apple seeds – in fact it’s said three apples a day, including the seeds, could prevent cancer.

What’s that old saying, an apple a day? Could be more important than we know.
“…when government officials spend money on weapons instead of cures;…all this is robbery and chaos. It is not in keeping with the Tao.” -Tao Te Ching

Thanks,

Lee

March 18, 2008 at 11:42 pm
(8) Mitch says:

I hope that you did your research in regards to death by ingestion of seeds that you put forth. It seems to me many more people die from large doses of chemo then by seed pits each year. If indeed you are surpressing a possible helpful benefit of the seeds or pits of a fruit/s which is high in B-17 and a possible health benefit to dreaded cancer, then shame on you. What is your research based on, is it through years of unbiased testing by you or your fellow MD’s.? I don’t buy into much, but I do feel it’s easy to shoot down a possible benefit/cure when it doesn’t go with the status que of your studies. Being that the medical community as a whole has had decades of research done in regards to cancer but is still in it’s baby stages when dealing with the disease, maybe you should refrain from comments. As you and your fellow doc’s have basically done garbage thus far. Keep studying, find a cure, and I’d be more then happy to appologize to you, write a wonderful retraction, send you roses, and vote you in as one of the worlds greatest humanitarians that ever lived. ~Gods Blessings upon you~.

April 11, 2008 at 8:10 pm
(9) Therese says:

Give me a break. Eating apple seeds are not going to kill you. Dont scare people with bad information.

April 12, 2008 at 10:49 am
(10) Anne says:

Nowhere did I ever say eating a couple of seeds would kill you. I would guess most people who have eaten apples and cherries have eaten some seeds. However, I’m sticking to my guns here, people… if you eat too many fresh seeds you risk your health and your life. That is documented fact. Believe me or not, your choice.

April 22, 2008 at 11:49 am
(11) Jeff says:

Instead of saying that it is documented, please state your sources, because if what you say is true, I want to know.

Thanks,

May 3, 2008 at 7:33 am
(12) ShatrArrow says:

Can somebody provide pro and con studies concerning weather or not apple seeds are poisonous? There’s gotta be some medical journal, some article, something in writing? Give me a break. This is probably a question for Kevin Trudeau to answer on his natural health website. He has ironclad resources.

May 3, 2008 at 5:22 pm
(13) chemistry says:

I included a link to a reference that cites peer-reviewed publications in this year’s warning post.

May 11, 2008 at 12:47 pm
(14) tearlach says:

Please cite one medical example of death or illness caused by apple seeds.

http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1414841

June 2, 2008 at 10:20 pm
(15) steve says:

The use of Amygdalin (Laetrile/Vitamin B17) in the treatment of human cancer dates back at least to 1843, although the ancient Chinese are reported to have used bitter almonds containing significant quantities of it in the treatment of tumors some 3,000 years ago.

NATURAL SOURCE
Laetrile is not a miracle drug . It is simply a concentrated form of Nitriloside. Amygdalin (Laetrile/ Vitamin B17) is particularly prevalent in the seeds of those fruits in the Prunus Rosacea family (bitter almond, apricot, blackthorn, cherry, nectarine, peach and plum.) It is found in natural foods which contain nitriloside and has been used and studied extensively for well over 100 years. It is also contained in grasses, maize, sorghum, millet, cassava, linseed, apple seeds, and many other foods that, generally, have been deleted from the menus of modern civilization. Fruit kernels or seeds generally have other nutrients as well, some protein, unsaturated fatty protein, unsaturated fatty acids, and various minerals. The most common source of B17 is the apricot kernel and is present in about a 2-3 percent levels of concentration within the seed kernel.

So there is no confusion please note; there are 3 names which are interchangeable being Vitamin B17, Laetrile and Amygdalin. Vitamin B17 was the name given to the purified form of Amygdalin by a Bio Chemist named Ernst T Krebs in 1952. He also called it Laetrile which is simply short for Lavo-mandelonitrile and was awarded its vitamin status officially in 1952 after advice from Dr Dean Burke who was the co-founder of the National Cancer Institute. Amygdalin on the other hand is said to have been first discovered and used by a German chemist Leibig as far back as 1830. So, laetrile/Vitamin B17 on the other hand is simply a more soluable and concentrated form of amygdalin which allows it to be administered in a much greater concentration. Either way all 3 are essentially the same thing.

Vitamin B17 / Laetrile is probably one of the most controversial medical topics in the last 30 years. You may remember back in the 50’s – mid 70’s there was a lot hype in the medical world regarding a new natural cancer treatment that was discovered that killed cancer cells. This was the result of Dr Ernst Krebs findings and his research in a book called World Without Cancer. Well after several years of court cases and controversy regarding Laetrile it was finally stamped out by the FDA and reported to the mass media in the US as a fraud and failure. They called it Quackery in those days.

TODAY the hype has and is starting again as a result of THE INTERNET. The internet has allowed us to gain information from all over the world on what perhaps really happened.

So how does B17 kill cancer?…… Here we go….

Firstly we need to understand that our bodies use several enzymes to perform many tasks. Our body has one particular enzyme called Rhodanese which is found in large quantities throughout the body but is not present where ever there are cancer cells. Yet, where ever you find cancer in the body, you find another enzyme called Beta-Glucosidase. So, we have the enzyme Rhodanese found everywhere in the body except at the cancer cells, and we have the enzyme Beta-Glucosidase found in very large quantities only at the cancer cell but not found anywhere else in the body. If there is no cancer in the body there is no enzyme Beta-Glucosidase.

Now the following is what scares most people. You see, Vitamin B17 is made up of 2 parts glucose, 1 part Hydrogen Cyanide and 1 part Benzaldehyde (analgesic/painkiller). So its very important you understand the following:

When B17 is introduced to the body, it is broken down by the enzyme Rhodanese. The Rhodanese breaks the Hydrogen Cyanide and Benzaldehyde down into 2 by-products, Thiocyanate and Benzoic acid which are beneficial in nourishing healthy cells and forms the metabolic pool production for vitamin B12. Any excess of these by-products is expelled in normal fashion from the body via urine. Vitamin B17 passes through your body and does not last longer than 80 minutes inside your body as a result of the Rhodanese breaking it down. (Hydrogen Cyanide has been proven to be chemically inert and non toxic when taken as food or refined pharmaceutical such as laetrile. Sugar has be shown to be 20 times more toxic than B17.

Good & Bad Cyanide?

We all know that cyanide is bad for you, yet here we are jumping up and down saying its good for you because it kills cancer. Lets look at the real story.

Hydrogen Cyanide must be FORMED!! There is no free Hydrogen Cyanide in laetrile floating around freely in our body waiting to harm us when we eat apricot seeds or take laetrile. The enzyme Beta-Glucosidase, and only that enzyme is capable of manufacturing and forming the Hydrogen Cyanide from Laetrile. If there are no cancer cells in the body, there is no beta-glucosidase. If there is no beta-glucosidase, no hydrogen cyanide will be formed from laetrile. Even if there were some other way to manufacture cyanide from laetrile in the body, the amount would be so minute it would have little, if any toxic effect.

Laetrile does on the other hand contain the cyanide radical (CN-). So does Vitamin B12 , Cassava and strawberries and a host of other foods we consume. You never heard of anyone getting cyanide poison from vitamin B12 or from eating strawberries because it just does not happen. Lets also look at table salt which is made up of sodium Chloride (NaCl) and is very common in most households. Yet, did you know pure sodium (Na+) is one of the most toxic substances known to man? Yet in their form locked together they are not toxic. Any good toxicologist will tell you sugar is 20 times more toxic than laetrile and salt is also much more toxic.

Now, here is the irony of all of this. Milligram for milligram, the chemotherapeutic agents which are commonly used in the treatment of cancer today, are hundreds of times more toxic than laetrile.

The best way to prove or disprove the vitamin B17 theory of cancer, would be to take several thousands of people, over a period of many years, expose them to a consistent diet of B17 rich nitriloside foods and then check the results. Fortunately this has already occurred by the study of the following cultures; The Hunza, aboriginal Eskimos, Hopi and Navajo Indians, Abkhazians.

HUNZA
In the remote recesses of the Himalayan Mountains, between West Pakistan, India and China there is a tiny Kingdom called Hunza. These people are known world over for their amazing longevity and health. They live well beyond 100 years and have commonly been known to still father children at the age of 110. One of the first medical teams to study the Hunza was headed by world-renown British surgeon Dr Robert McCarrison. Writing in the AMA Journal Jan 7, 1922 he reported:

“The Hunza has no known incidence of cancer. They have an abundant crop of apricots. These they dry in the sun and use largely in their food”.

It is interesting to note that the traditional Hunza Diet contains over 200 times more nitriloside (B17 Rich food) than the average American or Australian Diet. There is no such thing as money in Hunza. A mans wealth is measured by the number of apricot trees he owns. And the most prized of all foods was considered to be the apricot seed. It is very common for the Hunza to eat between 30 – 50 (ie. about 30mg of B17) apricot seeds as an after lunch snack. The thousands of seeds they do not eat they store or grind them very finely and then squeezed under pressure to produce a very rich oil used in cooking and to apply to the skin. The apricot is staple food in Hunza. They use the apricot, its seed and the oil for practically everything. In addition to the ever present apricot, the hunzahuts eat mainly grain and fresh vegetables. These include buckwheat, millet, alfalfa, peas, broad beans, turnips, lettuce, sprouting pulse and berries of various sorts. All of these with the exception of lettuce and turnips contain vitamin B17.

It is important to know when the Hunza leave their secluded land and adopt the menus of other countries, they soon succumb to the same diseases and infirmities including cancer as the rest of man kind.

ESKIMOS
The Eskimos are another people that have been observed by medical teams for many decades and found to be totally free of cancer. The traditional Eskimo diet is amazingly rich in B17 nitrilosides that come from the residue of of the meat of caribou and other grazing animals, and also from the salmon berry. Another Eskimo delicacy is green salad made out of the stomach contents of caribou and reindeer which are full of fresh tundra grass. Tundra grasses such as Arrow are have shown to be contain the highest content of B17 than other grasses.

Alaska’s most famous doctor Dr Preston A Price claims that, “In his 36 years of contact with these people he had never seen a single case of malignant disease among the truly primitive Eskimos, although it frequently occurred when they were modernized.

An interesting point to note is that when an Eskimo leaves his traditional way of life and begins to rely on a western/modern diet he becomes even more cancer prone than the average American.

HOPI & NAVAJO INDIANS
The Indians of North America are another people who are remarkably free from cancer. The AMA went as far as conducting a special study in an effort to discover why there was little to no cancer amongst the Hopi and Navajo Indians. The February 5, 1949 issue of the journal of the American Medical Association declared that they found 36 cases cases of malignant cancer from a population of 30,000. In the same population of white persons there would have been about 1800. Dr Krebs research later found that the typical diet for the Navajo and Hopi Indian consisted of nitriloside-rich foods such as Cassava. He calculated that some of the tribes would ingest the equivalent of 8000mg of Vitamin B17 per day from their diet !!!

ABKHAZIANS
The Abkhazians are found deep in the Caucasus Mountains on the Northwest side of the Black Sea. They are a people with almost the exact same health record and longevity as the Hunzakuts.Their food and lifestyle having to live in a harsh rugged terrain are almost identical. They follow a diet which is low in carbohydrates, high in vegetable proteins and rich in minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin B17.

June 5, 2008 at 4:25 pm
(16) tony magruder says:

Im dead. And I’ve been dead for years, according to you. I have a disease that makes me very suseptable to cancer. yet, I am cancer free and feeling much better sense my change in diet. p.s. I was not a real junk food eater before my change in diet. & I work around hexavalent chromic acid and other wonderful cancer causing chimicals.

June 8, 2008 at 1:30 pm
(17) martin says:

If you read or watch a little film clip called “A WORLD WITHOUT CANCER” you will hear another side to this debate. Thank you

July 17, 2008 at 7:39 pm
(18) Rich says:

Anne, Anne, Anne … quit quacking, lolol U speak with a ‘forked tongue’ jus like your lying gov/ama masters! how much $$$$$$ ?

i’ve eaten apricot kernals, apple seeds, etc… no harm. i save the seeds from various fruits and eat kernals. i eat the apple 1 or 2 a day chewing the seeds – VeRy gOOd!

i’ll stay natural an live by example of the Hunzas, Eskimos, etc … you live by gov/ama standards and enjoy your drugs and chemo!

ignorant modern people!

July 20, 2008 at 6:52 pm
(19) rosie says:

My dad is in the hospital right now because he at too many cherries with the pit! My dad was complaining of headache, dizziness, and weakness all over. He couldn’t stand up and his body began shaking so much. He was vomiting and felt like he was going to die. He was barely able to dial 911. When the paramedics got there, they said he was vomiting up cherries with the pit. My sis thought that was weird and after some research we found this article!! He has no other medical problems and is very healthy. He felt fine prior to eating the cherries. After a few hours, all these symptoms began. He has had many tests, Ultrasound, Ct, Mri, and lab tests which all came back normal. I will try to find out today in regards to his kidneys. He’s feeling better now after a day, but is still in the hospital until tomorrow…

August 1, 2008 at 6:04 am
(20) Kentonio says:

I see the brain washing machine has claimed another victim. In the same way that fire can be dangerous or a great benefit when used in a controlled environment to provide cooked food heat etc. The same is the case with various substances found in nature such as B17 containing foods (I take 12 apricots seeds crushed and added to other foods and also eat a couple of whole apples a week and have never felt better). Whilst it is true that to much of anything can poison you including B17 even to much water can dilute the blood and kill you! there was a case a couple of years ago where this happened. What frustrates me is that the “Pharmaceutical Industry” is so hell bent on protecting it’s ill gotten gains and through the main stream continues to brainwash the masses with scare stories about natural foods and the likes. Remember this, that while there are substances in nature that are totally dangerous, We are a biological walking thinking machine and therefore need to be serviced and maintained with an array of vitamins, minerals, amino acids etc. in their natural state, some in larger amounts and some in smaller & trace amounts. What our systems do not thrive best on is the artificially created chemical compounds known as drugs, even though these have their place in the case of pain relief and a few other situations.

If people do their research with an open mind in a un-biased way they will find our that there are several community on planet Earth that ingest B17 foods well in excess of even what I say I take every week and they do not get cancer, heart disease or other aliments that we in the western world suffer from – that is FACT.

August 1, 2008 at 10:04 am
(21) chemistry says:

If I had posted a caution on the potentially lethal nature of ethanol I doubt I would have been lambasted, so why assume I categorically disapprove of ingesting prunis species seeds?

What I said was, if you eat too many of the seeds you can get sick or die. That’s fact. To those of you posting about healthful benefits and therapeutic uses: it doesn’t help your case to twist my words or flame me or make assumptions. I’d much rather see references that support your claims so that other people reading this blog post can make informed decisions.

My goal is to prevent sickness and death of pets and kids, since they are the ones most likely to overdose on the seeds. Is exposure to trace amounts of chemicals in the seeds beneficial? Maybe, maybe not. That is not what I posted about, was it?

August 2, 2008 at 11:30 pm
(22) Apple Seed Eater says:

I eat an apple a day, and chew up and swallow the seeds. They contain nitrilisides(sp?) which prevent and can even cure cancer. The cyanide they contain can only be released by cancer cells which are then annihilated by the cyanide. See here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO0I2jWthko
If you doctors are so smart, then why do 1 in 3 people now get cancer? Hmmm? They didn’t in the 1950’s. YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT LADY!
You have failed us. Why should we believe you? The cancer treatment industry is hundreds of billions per year. If a simple, natural preventative were discovered, billions would be lost by pharmaceutical companies and doctors. So you just keep trying to keep your scam going. I will continue to eat my apple seeds, and
NEVER GET CANCER!!!! HOORAY!!!
btw, are you a eugenicist?
Just asking.
-A Truthteller

August 6, 2008 at 11:06 am
(23) Gary says:

I wish i could believe apple seeds and such were the miracle cure, but then how do you explain babies and children with cancers?
Also asbestos,smoking,radiation etc have all been proved to cause cancers. And i’m sure people with cancer have tried this miracle cure and still died!
I’d love to believe it,but there are just too many unanswered questions.

August 7, 2008 at 9:22 pm
(24) Melvin says:

Anne you’re speechless, I wonder why…

Most of us would be if we took to time to read.

August 8, 2008 at 2:33 am
(25) concerned daughter says:

I know this is a bit off the topic, but my mother was given an almond that was broken up into small pieces by one of her friends. Her friend had told her that this almond had worked wonders for her because she shed a few good pounds in a month or so. I took a look at the almond pieces and it they did not look like your average sweet almond. I did some research and I think that my mother was given was a bitter almond.I was concerned at the time. My mother did say that she would only have to take a small piece each night before she went to bed. Learning that this almond is rich in B12, I am now more at ease. I would greatly appreciate it if someone could shed some light on the benefits( or harm?) of eating bitter almonds in small quantities.

August 8, 2008 at 2:39 am
(26) Darwin says:

Those without a sense of logic or literacy will flame Anne and attack the straw man of B17’s efficacy on cancer.

Read a little bit, people. She did not say anything about B17 or cancer. She said “enough” seeds. In the opening line. Can you understand that?

As in: “If you eat enough salt, you could die.” NOWHERE in the article does it say that eating a certain amount DOES NOT prevent cancer.

If you want to post about B17, go ahead. Just don’t attack the author over something she did not write. Unless you want to look like a fool.

August 12, 2008 at 1:27 am
(27) James says:

The title is rather misleading. In the interest of warning the public against potentially toxic substances, perhaps we should have a closer look at conventional prescriptions. The likelihood of overdosing on one of these is far greater than the likelihood of overdosing on apple or cherry seeds. Whilst you would have difficulty tracking down fatalities resulting from cyanide toxicity, you won’t struggle to find fatalities linked to the overdose of prescription toxins.

I think it’s important to note that the ingestion of a whole cherry pit would result in little more than a fecal deposit that contains something that appears strikingly like a whole cherry pit.

The tale of the father who ate too many cherries can be disregarded as having anything to do with acute cyanide toxicity.

Now – I just happen to not only be a bit of a science type, but also a proponent for the cyanogenic glycoside theory. Steve above has a reasonable understanding of the process, but it would be irresponsible not to clarify a particular detail I’ve noticed to be off, and I’ll add a thing or two in the interest of public safety.

I’ll begin by saying that most fruit seeds are potentially toxic in that, it’s possible to overwhelm the body’s natural ability to process the inherent HCN (cyanide); however, it’s highly unlikely that a person would consume any of these seeds in this sort of quantity. For instance, the average apricot kernel contains between 2 to 3 mg/kernel of BOUND HCN. The lethal dose of FREE HCN is considered to be in the vicinity of 3 mg/kg of body weight. The cyanide, as it’s contained in the seed, is not free cyanide, so the quantity containing this dose wouldn’t have the same impact as the liberated HCN.

In order for a 70 kg man to ingest a lethal dose of apricot kernels, he’d have to consume upwards of 85 seeds in a sitting. But because this isn’t free cyanide, that number would be considerable, given the time-release nature of the bound glycoside, which would be directly proportional to the presence of enzymes to metabolise the compound. Because the effect of HCN isn’t accumulative, a rather massive quantity of these seeds could, technically, be eaten over the course of a day with little or no signs of toxicity and without damage to the body, as long as the individual doses weren’t greater than the body’s capacity to process them.

Steve – you should make this correction to your spiel for future presentation.

Beta-glucosidase IS present in the body outside of cancerous tissue. Cancer needn’t be present for the liberation of cyanide. What’s more relevant here is the absence of rhodanese within cancerous tissue.

Because beta-glucosidase is present within healthy tissue, the free HCN can indeed pose problems if the body isn’t able to process it faster than it is being delivered. In unusual circumstances where a person presents with symptoms of cyanide toxicity as a result of eating these seeds, the issue is likely not with the quantity ingested, but the failure of the body to process it at a normal, healthy rate. In order for the rhodanese system to function adequately, it needs to draw from a source of sulphur – usually in the form of sulphur-bearing amino acids, such as L-Cysteine. If these are deficient, there will likely be an issue with neutralisation of the HCN. For this reason, should anyone using amygdaline for therapeutic benefit experience symptoms of excessive cyanide, it’s a good idea to begin supplementing with NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)or even whey protein isolate. Chances are also good in this event that your glutathione levels are struggling, in which case, either or both of the above supplements will be of great additional benefit.

Unless someone has been collecting them over time, I think it is highly unlikely an individual will be presented the opportunity to overdose on apple seeds. You’d have to eat a hell of a lot of apples in one sitting, and the seeds will have had to be chewed very well.

August 13, 2008 at 4:28 am
(28) kabir says:

It is really very excellent to discover harmful matter in the things used daily. It means we should never drink apple juice untill we know about it whether seeds were separated or not.

August 13, 2008 at 4:41 am
(29) kabir says:

It is excellent as it is beneficial for everybody to warn about the things of daily use. It means we should never drink apple juice as it may be harmful becuase most of the people don’t separate the seeds. Thanks a lot!!!!!!!!!!!

August 13, 2008 at 5:18 pm
(30) Brian says:

Well if apple seeds contain cyanide it must be in very small amounts.

When I was a teenager (many years ago) I had an insect collection and had a cyanide jar ( a bit jar with some potassium cyanide in plaster at the bottom , bought from the local drug store ). It was used to kill the insects so they could be mounted in a display case.

As such I KNOW what potassium cyanide smells like . It has a very heavy sweet smell. Break open a fresh peach pit and smell it … same smell … ditto for sour cherries , but not as much as peach pits .

August 25, 2008 at 10:07 am
(31) Guylaine says:

I have been eating apple seeds for a while, and heard thru the grapevine that they are poisonous,now I am sure,thankyou…

August 25, 2008 at 2:54 pm
(32) TentacledBeast says:

How poisonous are plum seeds? How many do you have to eat before you start feeling sick?

Also, where is the poison? The seed has a hard cover which can be cracked, and then the “real” seed is inside. Is that what’s poisonous?

August 25, 2008 at 8:51 pm
(33) Latino Perez says:

That’s pretty interesting. You learn something new every day.

September 8, 2008 at 11:31 am
(34) Raven says:

That is the biggest crock of garbage you will ever read. I wonder how much the writer of this article was paid by the FDA to write this. Pits of plums, peaches, etc contain vitamin b17 shown to kill cancer. Google or youtube Jason Vale + b17

September 11, 2008 at 5:24 am
(35) Echizen says:

I think that some of us who believe the goodness of Vitamin B17 are concerned with your post because:

1. It suggests that the seed does not have any benefit and we do not have any reason to eat it at all.
2. The title and the last sentence would imply to general public that they should avoid the seeds at all time.
3. There is no strong proof to support the theory.

In my opinion, you should include something like “eating too much of anything will do harm”, “may be there are some benefits below certain amount”.

It is good that you included that eating a few seeds is ok and there is this comment section.

What make me laugh is the sponsored links at the bottom of this page is selling Vit B17/Laetrile products. ;D

September 11, 2008 at 12:35 pm
(36) chemistry says:

Echizen,

I’ve given this some thought and I may write a separate post about the potential health benefits of eating small quantities of the seeds to get laetrile and other healthful compounds. However, my biggest concern is with the general public, who may be unaware that eating too many of the seeds is dangerous or potentially lethal. Yes, it’s true that eating too much of anything is dangerous… even water will kill you if you drink enough. It’s a matter of dose. The seeds are more like iron than water. It takes a relatively low dose to go from beneficial to harmful or lethal.

~ Anne

September 14, 2008 at 4:52 pm
(37) Prenten Frazier says:

Frankly, I find it incredible how strongly medical Morons seek to hype up the toxicity of natural food supplements such as Apricot, plum, apple, and other seeds. . .

[[[These are less toxic than coffee (a true poison). They contain vast amounts of Vitamin B17, laetrile, and are used in Asian medicine to improve circulation, and aid the digestive tract. Oh and guess what, Plum and Apricot kernel extract is what they use to make almond extract with. Taste one and you’ll see.]]]

. . . Yet at the same time, these Same Medical “Professionals” FAIL to reveal the toxicity of Fluoride Tooth paste. It’s the same fluoride they use to kill rodents with in Rat poison. So, either they are saying poison is ok (even essential) in small, non-lethal doses, or we are lied to about whatever saves/makes the FDA the most money.

I chew up the apple seeds and flower petals that I know to be safe and full of life. I often take a hammer to other flavorful, but slightly bitter hard seeds like plum. Brewing peach kernels makes a great decoction that is very soothing and stimulating to the stomach enzyme activity and also relaxing to the nervous system. I chew cartilage and suck the marrow from chicken bone ends. I love the taste of apricot seeds.

Egyptians and other civilizations did these things for Centuries. The Asians continue these ancient practices with expertise and to date no one has died from such edible sources. At lest not short of choking or mistake in poisonous plant species.

It’s also interesting how “detox” is never contributed to symptoms experienced from natural remedies. They are all passed off as harmful and “unfounded”. I wish I had a penny for every time I’ve heard that word. Why won’t someone spend some of your millions of embezzled dollars meant for studying cancer and try to “found” some of this stuff????

Apricot seeds use to be readily available in health stores across America. I won’t mention why they were removed from shelves but it wasn’t because people were dying. If that was the case, they would have removed fluoride toothpaste a LONG time ago.

Only in our bizarre world today do we try to find “cures” in packaged pills rather than seeking health and “prevention” through Gods natural garden.

September 23, 2008 at 12:39 pm
(38) Kentonio says:

Prenten Frazier, thanks for saving me the trouble, I was going to go into a reply along similar lines as you have done.

However I would like to add, that as a researcher into health and political agendas that always seems to support power and wealth generation, all roads always seem to lead back to BIG BUSINESS and their protection, rather than to protection of the people. I have submitted a link regarding this B17 subject, just like anything (even the consumption of water) people should always be aware that TOO MUCH OF ANYTHING can be health & life threatening. Be responsible but don’t scaremonger (as the writer has done at the beginning of this article) is the motto here.

September 30, 2008 at 1:32 am
(39) Michelle says:

…my God, the lack of intelligence and surge of inflated ego in these posts astounds me. She is NOT trying to discredit your “panacea”, nor inspire a panic! And as for using youtube and google as a source…are you serious? Use an actual credible source, not a social site festering with idiots or a search engine.

However, I do agree that natural food is very healthful- BUT you guys are going too far and treating it like some cure-all. Check the National Cancer Institute for info- there are actual studies done with the Laetrile.

Also for those of you claiming that cyanide can cure cancer, you are wrong. In those studies I just mentioned, none of the patients were cured by Laetrile. Several had decreased pain and tumor size WHILE they were taking Laetrile. In others the cancer progressed, and two had symptoms of cyanide poisoning. Look it up at that website if you want all the info.

Another thing I’d like to point out. The Laetrile is a MODIFIED form of amygdalin (the cyanide), meaning it’s not really natural. Unless you want the one from Mexico…yeah.

Anyway, the point is that eating some seeds won’t kill you, unless you have a death wish and ingest a pound or more of crushed seeds in one sitting. There is a reason why cyanide poisoning is called cyanide poisoning.

Oh and as for medical “morons”…I find that laughable. I guess going through eight years of schooling and studying human anatomy and physiology makes them less reliable then someone who plucked their info from random websites in a few minutes, hm? PLEASE guys, use reason and good judgment, rather than trying to preach to anyone who passes by. You’re not doctors, don’t pretend to be.

October 1, 2008 at 7:59 pm
(40) stabby mcgee says:

im confused. i eat apples whole all the time but nothing bad has ever happened to me.
why is this

October 2, 2008 at 5:53 am
(41) sean says:

What an ill-informed debate this is on more or less all sides. Try this: http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Cancer/laetrile.html

October 3, 2008 at 1:12 pm
(42) lisa says:

How many seeds does it take to be lethal? I had a college professor who claims he knew someone who ate an entire cup at one time and died.

October 9, 2008 at 10:23 am
(43) Juicer says:

How many apple seeds you need to eat to get poison, Jack Lalanne’s juicer can juice the whole apply, he is still healthy and I would like to live to his age …

November 7, 2008 at 3:12 pm
(44) Quack quack says:

How many apple seeds in one half cup?

November 9, 2008 at 12:41 pm
(45) tom says:

Beware of my comments – I am no scientist – just someone who has had some experience with the topic – and has done some research on it as well. I would suggest anyone who wants to learn about this do much more research prior to believing the author’s ’scientific’ view or my own ‘layperson’s’ opinion.

First to the author of the article:

You could be honest and tell the entire scientific truth about your answer respecting the actual dose of peach or apricot pit one would need to consume before any symptom is noticed. (for humans not dogs!!)

While you are at it, you might also follow up by informing the public of the complete contents found in a peach or apricot or apple pit/seed. You know…the compound that neutralizes the toxic effect of cyanide in the food substance.

If you oppose this degree of truthful disclosure you may also need to start a scare campaign against water…it contains hydrogen you know. And come to think of it, we all know that hydrogen ignites if exposed to a flame….somebody better tell those firemen that before they actually attempt to extinguish another fire by using explosive H2O !!!

I have been eating peach pit seeds and whole apple and pear seeds with the fruit for some time now. Perhaps the ’scientist’ who wrote this article can compare for us the ACTUAL amount of peach pit seeds one would have to eat prior to any (if any)harmful effects compared to the amount of Tylenol one has to eat prior to any harmfull effects. (Someone please look up the amount of deaths per year caused by Tylenol consumption)

In fact there has recently been discovered an entire population whose main food intake is apricot seeds…and the average lifespan for that community is 150 years old. (But the FDA would not tell us that.) Somebody better tell those folks that they are eating poison!

God gave us the entire fruit for food – and you can read that in Genesis. He also uses the simple things to confound the ‘wisdom’ of the world. The love of money is truly the root of all evil – what would the pharmicutical companies say if the general public found out the actual healing elements found in simple fruit seeds?

Well they already have…thanks to lobbying the FDA you cannot sell vitamin B17 or apricot seeds or peach seeds legally !!!

Would the author of the article care to research the true findings of case studies involving volunteer patients treated by a diet including apricot seeds? That would be good for the folks to see.

November 12, 2008 at 6:02 pm
(46) Demetri Martin Jr says:

Like the rest of you, I have done vast amounts of studying on this topic in an attempt to prove everyone else wrong.

I have come to the following conclusion:

Toy Story 2 was OK!

November 18, 2008 at 3:45 am
(47) Virginia Helgeson says:

READ THIS AND PASS IT ON: Yesterday, for my birthday I received a VERY POWERFUL BLENDER. The cookbook that came with the machine said to remove the seeds on one particular recipe, but never said REMOVE ALL THE SEEDS AS THEY RELEASE POISONOUS TOXINS WHEN PULVERIZED AND EATEN IN NUMBERS.

I heard how the person demonstrating the unit put whole grapes in it and how nutritious the seeds are. I had no grapes but I had apples. I washed and quartered them and dropped them into the blender….8 of them and I ate my fresh applesauce as I took all my morning medicines and got sicker and sicker.

I am blessed to be sure, for I am a senior citizen and I live all alone. I felt so ill, I slept 6 hours and I could not shake it off. I had no idea, until this evening, what had really happened. SPREAD THE WORD !!

November 23, 2008 at 8:28 pm
(48) Fred says:

What a bunch of nonsense ! Must be employed by Big Pharma.

As long as one chews and swallows less than one pound of apple seeds (or any other seed containing nitrilosides) each day, you’ll be just fine, and if you had cancer before you started chewing and swallowing the seeds, you will NOT have it after.

November 27, 2008 at 9:23 pm
(49) jojoontheradio says:

virgina helgelson.. or whatever your name is. if you are a senior citizen i’m sure your chances of getting sick are a bit higher then they used to be and it was probably coincidence.

anyways. TRADER JOE’S sells apricot kearnels now. They are are rather tasty too! But maybe everyone should hurry and buy them now because if it is true that the benefits are so good then they might not be sold for long!

November 28, 2008 at 8:55 pm
(50) jimi says:

Man that was fun to read. Pseudo science rules ok by the looks of things, a few of you people even quote the bible in an attempt to refute the toxicity of cyanide compounds! Only in America would you read such hysterical, paranoid nonsense, hope youv’e all wound that tinfoil round your head before “they” get you.

November 29, 2008 at 12:19 pm
(51) Louie says:

“In fact there has recently been discovered an entire population whose main food intake is apricot seeds…and the average lifespan for that community is 150 years old”

/facepalm

November 30, 2008 at 10:58 pm
(52) Shamim says:

Wow. This is my first time here but I think there is a lot to learn about cancer and its alternative treatments. There is always risk involved when it comes to treating a disease. I am sure politics is involved and at the end it’s all about money. I and you are the victims.

But anyway, I try to eat about 8 to 10 apple seeds a day without any problem and I also eat other fruits. They are always good for you. Now we know that some seeds are toxic because of all the technology we have but I am sure people back in 1800s didn’t think the way we are now thinking about seeds.

We also can’t say some Indians or groups of people never had cancer for hundreds of years because we don’t know if they had or not. Now we can detect cancer in our body by doing a test and still sometime it’s hard to detect them on time and we die. Detecting cancer with technology 100 years ago? I am sure you can’t just look at the person and say you have cancer. LOL I am sure lot of them died of cancer and no one knew why the person died.

On the other hand, more people die faster from CEMO than cancer itself. In the case of vitamin B17, i am sure there are benefits since we all are talking about it for years now. Talking about B17 is like talking about UFO. Some people believe and some people don’t.

I believe on both and I may be wrong but personally, I would like to see it happen too!!!!! My two wishes:

1. Seeing UFO with my eyes on the sky.
2. Seeing a cancer patient getting treated with B17 (eating seeds).

December 6, 2008 at 11:15 am
(53) Jesse says:

Many of those who flame this article don’t realize that both they and the author are correct. Dosage determines poisoning. Small amounts of many poisons are actually beneficial to living organisms. The other side of the argument is that feeding an infant crushed cherry pit paste is probably not a good idea. To those who say that B17 cures cancer seem to be small minded about human pathology. No one thing alone cures or prevents cancer, and this actually has no relevance on whether it is poisonous or not.

December 7, 2008 at 2:09 am
(54) drjak says:

apple seeds have cured cancer also apricot seeds why not mention this? is it becuse cancer is a billion doller industry? dont get me wrong dont go mad by eating lodes of them but a small amount in your diet can only be a good thing it contains vitamin b17 just google it if

December 15, 2008 at 12:54 pm
(55) rcuomo says:

I’ve eaten lots of apricot seeds (about a handful a day), and I always eat the apple seeds (core and all – even the stem sometimes). It is true that anything is toxic depending on the dosage. The “toxins” found in apricot seeds are less toxic than table sugar.

December 16, 2008 at 3:42 pm
(56) Mat says:

I am amazed that so many people would post their replies without bothering to do any re-reading or correction of grammar errors. Most of you write like children. This also suggests that the research behind the “proofs” that are presented is equally poor. There may well be benefits to the compounds found in such seeds, but the fact remains that am unsupervised child, with access to a large bag/basket of apples, cherries, etc. COULD potentially kill themselves by eating TOO MANY seeds.
At the same time I do agree that the author seems to have had somewhat biased motives in what she wrote, as the whole story was not presented. Then again, anyone living in the US should be used to this as virtually every media outlet in the country presents a very biased and Government censored view of EVERY event that takes place. It is time that the individual writer or reporter is no longer attacked for this, we must all start blaming those who insist that only the view of Big Business (and thus their puppets, the government) is to be heard. There USED to be a Constitution in America. This has been replaced with a Patriot Act and other nonsense that allows them to do tell us whatever they want us to know and deny us the right to have the real truths.

December 21, 2008 at 7:50 pm
(57) Nurse95 says:

I am a nurse. I can tell you first hand that patients die more from Chemo than fruit seeds. I have known sick people who have prolonged their lives with fruits, including the seeds, but I have yet to see ONE person survive cancer who had METS.

I had the pleasure (cough cough) of seeing drug companies like Pfizer bring in their pens and goodies, meanwhile our patients couldn’t even afford their medications.
By the way, here is a former Pfizer worker who blew the whistle on how studies are done, who is told to hush, and if you don’t hush, you can lose your job.

PETER ROST former PFizer worker speaks out about how doctors were paid by drug companies to push a drug that killed a child
http://peterrost.blogspot.com/2008/06/cbs-news-drug-companies-pay-doctors-57.html

If you question the proof that it may prevent or help cancer, then you should question why the FDA could not prove that Tobacco caused lung cancer for the longest time (even though they make mega bucks to perform studies)
http://www.cancertutor.com/Other/BogusScience.html

Your time could be much better spent on sharing testimonies from those who praise the natural, God given fruits, than scaring people from eating healthy. Shame on you!

I have semi-retired from nursing because I can’t stand to see all of the side effects from drugs, all in the name of greed!

December 23, 2008 at 10:00 am
(58) Robert Harris says:

I agree with the bulk of the comments that your information is a bit overstated. While apple seeds are, in fact, slightly poisonous, very little of it can ever reach your system unless you chew the seeds up as the seeds are well equipped to survive the trip through your intestinal system completely intact. Since, as you note, your body will break down small amounts of the poison without effect, you would have to eat a whole lot of seeds to show any effects of poison. I eat typically eat the whole apple (core and all) so I ingest seeds frequently without effect. In case your wondering why anyone would eat the core, it’s simply convenient – by consuming it I don’t have to find a trash can or leave a core laying around to make a mess, attract bugs, etc..

December 25, 2008 at 3:36 pm
(59) informed says:

My goodness. When will it end? Anne,the attached title on the end of your name doesn’t give you the right to out right misinform or provide biased information to the public. If you want to help save lives, write articles that teach HONEST proper nutrition and not frighten others. Write an article on how others should enbrace the Bibles teachings on proper nutrition and not what labs and drug company sponsored reports have to say. It’s a disgrace really. Do your research.

December 30, 2008 at 11:58 am
(60) Luke says:

Seeds contain cyanide (the bitter taste), this is persumed dangerous, however this is only when in a compound. On its own, in apple seeds, this contains a rare vitamin B, which people in Thailand eat having a life expectancy of 90 years and almost non existant of cancer. The bible suggests to eat fruit seeds and nuts with good reason, if we did this rather than eat burger chips and coke, many illnesses parent today would not occur.

January 2, 2009 at 10:22 am
(61) Bouly says:

Dosage…

… Never take anything from the Bible as more than suggestion…Teachings on proper nutrition from writings that say people used to live 900 years when in reality back then they were lucky to live into their 30s or 40s? and that was old age…

… I’m not saying one way or another… sure there are arguments for both sides but to believe that you can be CURED totally by just eating these seeds is lunacy. Just as believing that whatever doctors say will work will work.

And where is the documentation for this group of people who average a 150 year lifespan?

January 5, 2009 at 3:11 pm
(62) EJ says:

Wow – this topic sure brought out the fringe element, huh? So far I’m seeing such compelling arguments as:

1) I eat seeds and don’t have cancer, therefore it must prevent cancer.
2) I eat seeds and I’m not dead, therefore it must not be toxic.
3) I read info refuting this on , so you must be wrong.

Always amazed at how many people want to believe in conspiracies of the medical profession hiding this miracle cure and prevention of cancer. Better yet, I’m amazed at how “knowledgeable” commenters are about these subjects yet can’t spell their way out of a paper bag.

January 7, 2009 at 1:53 pm
(63) xcvtt says:

You can safely ingest as many seeds as you would normally eat fruit in a day. In fact, you could eat a lot more than that. Go ahead and stick to your guns on this one but you are flat out wrong! C’mon, do the research. Don’t just parrot what you read, actually look for facts that back up what you say. Facts – not AMA junk.

January 7, 2009 at 9:20 pm
(64) adriana valesco says:

does regular drinking of large amounts of alcohol make it more difficult for your body to naturally process the cyanide?

January 8, 2009 at 10:47 pm
(65) Twoteka says:

it is true…apple seeds contain cyanide which if ingesting enough of it deprives your blood cells the ability to deliver oxygen. Although the outing of an apple seed can withstand the digestive track so you would have to purposely chew and swallow ALOT of seeds for you to die from it.

January 18, 2009 at 10:05 pm
(66) PropagandaFreeZone says:

The reason babies get cancer is because of them and their parents being bombarded from womb to grave with carcinogens in the environment. Fluoride, chlorine, heavy metals etc in the water supply for instance, which are most harmful when inhaled whilst in the shower. Don’t even get me started on all the goodies in the vaccines they feed us. There are plenty of ways people get cancer, and in my informed opinion it is by design. No doubt good old Anne has her hand in the designer’s pocket to come out with this blatant violation of the truth.

January 19, 2009 at 3:03 am
(67) emsky says:

i am a cancer patient. had 2 bouts of chemo (8 cycles in 2006-2007 and 6 cycles in 2008) and a 38 day radiation after my chemo last year. still having herceptin. t’was tough. it’s tough. my life has been on a standstill for over 2 years now. i still have this fear that my cancer might return and i’m not even done with my treatment yet. at this point, i’m not gonna lose anything if i start eating my apples with the seeds and start taking vit b17 both in its natural and pill form. i’m fighting for my life and i welcome every and all suggestions that will help me win this fight. i’ll start with the apple seed.

January 27, 2009 at 8:56 pm
(68) m says:

All you people trying to use the Bible as a credible source of nutritional information are idiots. If you want to base your food choices around a book that was written hundreds of years ago, you go right ahead. I’ll keep on eating my apples and throwing away the cores.

Also, “Eat the fruits, nuts and SEEDS of the earth?” Funny, but nowhere in that line did I see the words “apple,” “peach,” “plum” or “apricot.” Nor does the passage say that you should eat the poisons of the earth, but since you apparently think that it means apple seeds and peach pits in particular, I guess it probably means that you should in fact poison yourself too. Sound advice in my opinion.

But hey, I’m just a sinful unbeliever bound for the eternal flames of hell so what do I know right?

February 2, 2009 at 7:23 pm
(69) michelle says:

what a funny investigation, someone there says correct, cherry pits and apple seeds is not poisonous, you know why? and what she said? you will only die if you eat bunch of it. correct, ryt?

February 3, 2009 at 7:23 pm
(70) font68 says:

The last comment by Michelle shows the ignorance of the “layperson”! As a physician for many years, I know for a fact that apple seeds are poisonous. With spelling errors that she committed it is no wonder at her knowledge-base!

February 7, 2009 at 1:01 am
(71) Reader says:

I am confused about you lady!!!
Do you work for the FDA?
what is your interest in taking people away from eating natural seeds, if that is known for a long time to cure and even prevent cancer?

We are in different times now? we are not innocent anymore! People want answers, true answers and helps, true cures!!!! no confused people which add more confussion!

It s about lives! saving lives! not about defending an institution nor personal interest!

May God Help us all!

February 13, 2009 at 5:10 pm
(72) paul d says:

I think the important part of what Anne Marie said is that if you chew up the seeds you will release the toxin and too much of anything is bad for you but too much water and too much dynamite are two different things altogether. The real info that applies to me that only one person who repied to the article stated is regarding someone who juices. A juicer will pulverise the seed and release the ‘toxin’ or ‘cancer killer’ much more so than chewing(while swallowing probably will not release anything). The question that I need answered is what is the crux point of benign or cancer killing and making me feel ill or dead? How many whole Apples can I send through my Jack Lalaine Juicer before I will feel ill? This is a real question as I am a juicer and I routinely send 4 to 6 apples through my juicer. Now I always mix it with other fruits but if all I had was Apples how many could I use?

February 18, 2009 at 6:22 pm
(73) AC says:

I have read about apple seeds being poisonus since summer. Ever since I have now about 6-7 months of apple seeds collected in a sandwich bag. Apple seeds from Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Golden, and Gala’s. To get an idea how much they are its only a handful, not worth for both hands. Everytime I open the baggy it gives out a woody aroma from all the seeds. I doubt its potent yet. Maybe for a small bird(sparrow) but I think it will die of over feeding.

February 23, 2009 at 7:04 pm
(74) Matt says:

You clearly have not read the book “A world without cancer” by G Edward Griffin. It is foolish of you to speak on a subject you are not an expert on. These seeds are not poisonous and do cure cancer as the poison (hydrogen cyanide) is only unlocked by a certain enzyme the cancer cell produces thereby killing only the cancer cell. But I am no expert on these matters either. You’ll just have to read for yourself what experts on this matter say. Please retract your statements until you have researched this further.

April 30, 2009 at 8:09 am
(75) Jack says:

hey

Apple seeds are good for you they contain B17 which is a vitimin which cures cancer in some ways it attacks the cancer cells which to then it sends out acid to kill the cels

May 3, 2009 at 1:36 am
(76) miss info says:

The author of this article is either purposefully blowing this out of proportion or is ignorant. As she has a p.h.d, I assume the former. Vitamin B17 is essential to good health in the correct ‘dosages’.
Anything can be considered poisonous in too little or too much quantity (such as water, sugar, and salt). It would take an unnatural amount of seeds to cause one to be ill (refer to a commenter’s post above corresponding to body weight and amount of seeds ingested).
Eating a ‘normal’ amount of apples a day along with their seeds will be beneficial (say three apples a day).

May 5, 2009 at 12:33 am
(77) Dave says:

Anne,

You have been continually blasted for providing information that has a basis but which stands in the way of what I and many others see. Eating the seeds of many fruits can be beneficial if not over done. You can step up to the plate and help save lives in many ways by providing some realistic toxicity data.

I have researched and found only one legitimate case where someone was hospitalized from ingesting laetril. The child died, not from the laetril but from a dangerous antidote given in haste.

As for attacks on suppliments such as laetril, I have read many booklets published by the ACS on various cancers and treatment. Nowhere can I find any ACS support of any nutritional or suppliment for the treatment of cancer. In fact, they take every opportunity to subtly demote any such efforts. Almost all funding that the ACS receives goes to big pharma studies.

You should be aware that the FDA ignorantly outlawed tryptophan for years to help big pharma sell SSRIs. Tryptophan is a necessary amino acid and is important in serotonin production. In light of this, the FDA has outlawed laetril to help Big Pharma make more money. There is little danger in taking reasonable amounts of laetril, just no profit for big pharma or the FDA.

Also, I saw someone mention quackwatch … the last place that anyone should expect to find reliable information.

May 11, 2009 at 6:36 pm
(78) Michael J says:

I was just researching the theoretical concentration of amygdalin in apple seeds when I ran across this gem. Don’t know anything about leatrile or B17 or anything else, but I love apples, have degrees in chemistry and chemical engineering, and don’t care much about the controversy… this is dialogue hilarious. Our PhD friend needs a tune up.

What I get out of it is that apple seeds do contain amygdalin – with a molecular weight of 457.4 – Amygdalin contains a single CN functional group (that would be a cyanide group, molecular weight of 26). It appears that the metabolytes of Amygdalin are mixed when decomposed by HCl in stomach acids… The plot thickens!

Oral doses with NO ADVERSE AFFECTS (EPA, 1990a-e; 1991a-e)* are about 10mg of straight cyanide per kg of body weight per day. Since I weigh a healthy 90 kg, I can eat about 100 mg of cyanide – straight cyanide – per day with no adverse affects. Don’t try this at home. Let’s further assume that apple seeds are a whopping 1% amygdalin (no reference yet). To get to 100 mg of CN, and assuming all of the CN in the amygdalin is metabolized to cyanide, I need to eat 176 GRAMS OF APPLE SEEDS PER DAY. By my eyeball, that means I’d have to eat 706 APPLE SEEDS PER DAY TO SHOW NO ADVERSE AFFECTS. Please note that I still have not found the refence amygdalin concentration. If you find it, please post. The granny smith I’m eating right now has six seeds. I think I’m safe.

*This my friends is a foot note. Try it. Its FUN.

May 15, 2009 at 8:07 am
(79) Kiv says:

Thanks Michael J before me for clearing up the estimated amount of Apple seeds you would have to consume before they are dangerous.

I think the article has merit and is undoubtfully has truth in it but is an article I find that leaves out an important factor…What is the amount of seeds one would consume for it to be deemed as toxic?

The same can be said about most things…I once upon a time in my youth ingested 500grams of dark chocolate and funnily enough became violently sick! hehe. Maybe I should write an article about the toxicity in chocolate!!!

Noone has written an article on this funnily enough and so I wonder why an article like this one was written? I can understand why others are linking this to the AMA cover up of the benefits of Vitamin B17 as its a well known fact that these seeds are some of the richest sources of amygdalin.

To (39) Michelle. Your comments were so contradicting telling people to use a “credible source” of information then you quote “The National Cancer Institute”. How ridiculous is that?? Thats like asking the AMA themselves what they think of Vitamin B17 as they are funded by drug industries.

To (57) Nurse95. Thank you for writing in and getting a person with real life experience on the matter. Thank you for the links also. Now if we could so something about all this Bureaucratic bullshit!!

May 16, 2009 at 12:46 am
(80) Johnny Appleseed says:

For the people who say the seed won’t release its poison as long as it in not chewed or crushed, that kind of defeats the whole purpose. It would seem the seed should be broken to get the benefits inside, otherwise what is the point. B17 needs to be released to attack the damaged cells.

To the physician who says that apple seeds are poisonous, so is the mercury that we give patients in flu shots (>200 times toxic dose).

To the girl, michelle, who is making fun of u-tube and google sources, I think everyone on here besides you realize these are good sources when they show the DOCUMENTATION and research. The b17 video on utube does just that. No one is watching you tube and taking a stranger’s opinion as truth.

To those who support the medical studies, I would suspect and have heard the doses were to low. However, doses were never evaluated and all the medical studies used the SAME DOSE which was low to prove their point. Most of the physicians I work with now acknowledge the conflict of interests with FDA, drug companies, etc. The drug companies are the ones who put up the money to have their drug studied and amazingly they always seem to get the results they wanted. If one actually reads the studies from a analytical approach and possesses a statistical background, they would see that the majority of these studies are crap. Laypeople and the medical field just skip to the conclusion and read the results and rarely does someone notice the flaws in the method of the study.

To the arrogant atheist, gloat now and gnash teeth later. There are many of your type in the Bible and all eventually realized their ignorance hate for Truth.

To the jokers who doubt the conspiracy, I will give you some stuff to look-up. First find a study that shows that adding fluoride to water is good for you. Not topical fluoride but systemic like in the water supply. Why does Europe not do this? Why was communist Russia using it? Did you know the same doctor who proposed leaded gasoline also gave the fluoride idea? Why is it in rat poison? Why is there a poison alert on your toothpaste?

Look up how Baxter was caught with live virus flu vaccinations. What was there intention? Also look-up how Baxter was administering a hemophyliac drug that contained HIV. I know you won’t believe that but it is a fact, look it up. There are people in prison in France because of this but no one at Baxter is in trouble.

To the guy who posted a link to an article blasting Krebs and others for profiting off of this, what do you think big pharm is doing. They give us expensive poisons that kill all cells and tell us not to eat cheap seeds cause they are poison. How many of you seed eaters lost your hair and vomited the rest of the day? Ask your doctor about the benefits of ______, while we give your doctor free samples to get you on it for good or until the patent runs out. When it does they will just add a small branch to the molecule and give it a new name like Nexium, the new purple pill. Why doesn’t the FDA hold them accountable for such deception? You think the criminals are in banking only? These same international bankers own controlling interest in the big pharm companies also, look that up. The executives just bounce around from the FDA, to company A, to company B. This sounds just like how banking executives go from the banks to the treasury to the Fed. Clinton passed some laws that significantly lessened the overseeing by the FDA over big pharm. These laws have made the corruption even worse.

May 16, 2009 at 10:09 pm
(81) The truth says:

The only proper response to this original post is that the pit of a cherry is designed to be eaten and passed, and then it grows int he ground some ways away from the original tree. Birds do it, squirrels do it, and so do people.

Eating a cherry pit, or an apricot pit, or even 20 of them, won’t kill you, nor will it in any way harm you. True, it wouldn’t be good to CHEW up 20 of them, but even then it would pretty much only make you barf.

Seeds surrounded by tasty fruit are desinged to be eaten and passed, so that new trees can grow everywhere.

So, don’t be afraid. Also, you have to chew up a pound of apple seeds before you might even be remotely in danger of poisoning.

I think everyone read the OP wrong. She’s correct in that the pits, if chewed in enough quantity can cause problems, but you actually have to try hard to ingest enough to do so.

June 11, 2009 at 10:37 pm
(82) ted says:

ahh i just chewed like 10 cherry pits :(

June 21, 2009 at 8:12 am
(83) kuu says:

i guess cherimoya pits are more toxic than these kinds/

June 30, 2009 at 2:36 am
(84) Matt G says:

Lets go back to school Doc. What you are speaking of is B-17. Each molecule of B-17 contains one unit of hydrogen cyanide, one unit of benzaldehyde, and two of glucose. In order for the hydrogen cyanide to be released it must encounter the enzyme called beta-glucosidase. Beta-glucosidase is present in every human cell in very small quantities but in very large quantities in cancer cells. Another enzyme, rhodanese, always present in much larger quantiteies than the unlocking enzyme beta-glucosidase in healthy tissues, completely breaks down both the cyanide and benzaldehyde into a thiocyanate and salicylate which are harmless. Cancer cells do not produce rhodanese so they are f@#ked. So doctor, thats why they trained you to think such foolish, unfounded things. How much money would be lost if people cured their cancer with seeds as opposed to the lethal chemo? Let me put it in a way you might comprehend; For every match you burn you have a bucket of water to put it out. Unless you’re a cancer cell of course, than you have no water to put it out. Hope that PHD didn’t cost too much lol. I’m glad to see that many people that read your B.S. are alot more intelligent than you!

July 1, 2009 at 2:09 pm
(85) hi says:

I am pregnant and swallowed a wax cherry pit. Is there any risk to the baby?

July 1, 2009 at 8:28 pm
(86) Hollywood says:

… I’ve eaten 6 apples today, 3 yesterday, 4 the day before, and I chew and swallow the seeds. Why do I remain alive? It takes more seeds and pits than is even reasonable to die from cyanide by eating fruit. Those who still want to eat their beloved fruit, eat away. Your body can easily detoxify cyanide if in small amounts, and apples, cherries, etc. seeds/pits are EXTREMELY small amounts. I wouldn’t be worried, folks.

July 6, 2009 at 12:45 pm
(87) Asif says:

I see you have a lot of substantial evidence in your article to back up those claims. Basically you are saying – If you eat this plant seed from the earth you will die! Ahh Scare tactics! Scare tactics! I’ve been eating Amigdalyn ( green apple seeds ) for a year now quite regularly and they provide not only great energy and concealed vitamins (B15) as well as (B17) but also as mentioned above has been proved to be an effective cancer prevention if used in early stages, and there after.

You should also know that one of the most common and essential vitamins to human kind vitamin B12 ( cyancobalamin ) has a cyanide molecule as well – notice the Cyan? Hmmm i think that may be a cyanide molecule Anne Marie?

God I hate dumb scum – ie: You

July 6, 2009 at 12:51 pm
(88) Gerard says:

Hey Anne Marie water is poisonous if you drink to much you can die. Everyone for the love of god stop drinking water!

July 6, 2009 at 1:53 pm
(89) Hank Scott says:

Anne, in your last comment (#10) you say:

“…if you eat too many fresh seeds you risk your health and your life. That is documented fact.”

Ah, the old unspecified “documented fact” that is never cited.

Instead, you immediately follow this up with the standard of all would-be leaders in error:

“Believe me or not, your choice.”

Why should we believe you, unless you cite your documented fact for all to see?

In fact there is nothing you can cite that has not already been thoroughly discredited as bogus propaganda on behalf of big pHARMa!

I, for one, have eaten apricot pits, and apples (even oranges), by chewing the seeds and swallowing it all, for over 35 years.

I’ve also taught my children and grandchildren (those willing to listen and learn) to do the same, and none of them has ever come near suffering your fearful fate pronounced on all of us healthy heretics!

I’ve only heard anecdotal evidence of one man who died from eating a whole cup of apple seeds, but then you really shouldn’t eat more of the seeds or pits than you can safely consume the same amount of the fruit from which they come.

Even too much water can kill you! So what next, an appeal to avoid drinking water lest you die?

But then nobody ought to listen to me either, because I’m just one voice (of reason, I hope) among many.

Or perhaps you should, and save yourself a world of ills and troubles suffering the results of the average American malnutrition diet (which the emphasis on “die”).

July 16, 2009 at 1:55 pm
(90) James says:

This is not true. The apple seeds are beneficial. Eat only the amount that are in the apple. Seeds are a necessary part of our diet. Look up apples seeds and vitamin B17. Verona..trust your experience..not what some website says.

July 16, 2009 at 5:00 pm
(91) St. James says:

The Bible says to eat the fruit of the earth and, the meat of the seed,of course the seeds are toxic ,but , the you build up a tolerance then eatup to 7 a day . don’t eat 7 at first, eat 1-2 a day for aweek, then , add the third, then aweek later add another til you reach 7 aday/. cancer cells are cells that won’t die, so your killing the bad cells, and ,letting the good ones alone, chemo kills all cells, and, you loose your hair, apicot seeds,apple,plum,cherry,peach,any seed with a wooded armor ,are seeds you want. I’ve been eating them for years and, I”M NOT DEAD YET! so screw the doctors , the drug companies, the idiots that are on here to lie, I EAT 7 A DAY 49 aweek 210 a month ,have not seen a doctor since 1983,for a cut finger, that required stiches,other wise I would not have seen him then.so now I Preach the gospel, and still alive.AMEN

July 17, 2009 at 3:34 am
(92) St. Joseph says:

The bible?? Screw the bible!

July 18, 2009 at 1:13 pm
(93) Brandon says:

Wow. Too much overreacting is going on. It’s merely an article over the fact that many seeds contain a cyanide compound. Stop attacking the author for simply stating the facts. She didn’t say “Stop eating all seeds at once” now, did she? You should all be ashamed of yourselves. As for those of you who quote the Bible; stop it. It’s obnoxious and unnecessary. You’re not going to convert anyone like that, so stop trying, you goons.

July 20, 2009 at 12:16 pm
(94) nikki says:

well im swallowed 5 cherries. and i feel just the smallest bit dizzy. but maybe its just me. i dont think this works. i have a bet with a friend that you cant get sick. should i eat more ? i dont think i will. please really in my email.

July 21, 2009 at 4:39 pm
(95) RUTH says:

I WONDER OF ALL THE ONES THAT ARE AGAINST THE USE OF APPLE SEEDS FOR THE CURE OF CANCER WERE TO EVER GET CANCER ,HOW MANY OF THEM WOULD TRY GODS WAY OR THE DRUG COMPANIES WAY !!!!!!!!! KNOWING THAT ALL THE CANCER TREATMENTS KILL NOT CURE !!!!!!!!! THE DRS THEMSELF WOULD NOT TAKE THE TREATMENTS BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHAT IT DOES TO THE BODY

July 23, 2009 at 8:08 pm
(96) Repent says:

So let me get this straight, you, an insignificant woman who knows very little about anything, thinks you know more than God the Author of the Bible, who tells us to eat the seeds?

You don’t even provide false studies to back up your false claims. Even as you respond through the comments you slant your answers. I assume you are just ignorant and believing what you have been told. Hopefully you are not lying on purpose, otherwise God’s judgment upon you will be even the greater.

The seeds cure cancer. Plain and simple. There is a lot backing this up.

July 28, 2009 at 2:46 pm
(97) Cherry Pit Victim says:

I accidentally swallowed a few cherry pits last night and literally felt like I was going to die. My heart was pounding, I had a splitting headache and the anxiety was very intense along with my own difficulty of breathing.. Clear facts that fresh cherry pits should definitely not be swallowed.. So unless you want to feel like shit for a few hours, I wouldn’t recommend swallowing any fresh cherry pits!

August 5, 2009 at 4:01 pm
(98) ivan says:

When I was a child, some day have eaten more than 50 apricot seeds. We liked apricot seed. We had
no problem at all.
Today in my (Hungarian) kitchen there is a bowl
full of apricot seeds. I eat them almost every day in summer, and i am still alive and didn’t see doctor for 20 years.

Ivan

August 6, 2009 at 11:46 am
(99) jim says:

I only wish my friend, Carl, was alive to read your article. He once told me that when he was a boy in Germany, an old man told him to eat a whole apple, except the stem, but including the seeds, every day. Carl, impressed by the man’s seeming antiquity but apparent robustness, began to eat a whole apple with seeds every day. Carl passed away a few years ago. The last time I saw him was at a dinner dance. We and our wives sat at the same table. We had a lively conversation. He danced with my wife, and I danced with his wife. At the time he was only 98 years old. Only a few short years later, Carl would be dead. If only we could have read your article then! We all would have been rolling on the floor. P.S. I hope that you will take this in the light hearted and friendly way it was intended, but I also pray that you and your readers will think twice about naively trusting AUTHORITY, and gain a fuller understanding of the nature of the ESTABLISHMENT, including the medical establishment.

August 11, 2009 at 2:35 am
(100) Yod says:

My 2 years old daughter ate about 5 cherries w/ pits (whole I think) when I wasn’t watching her. I became concerned, so I went online to search for some info about eating cherry pits and found this article. At first, I thought it was some bogus article. Then I did some more searching and found a compelling data at http://museum.gov.ns.ca/poison/?section=species&id=109 (a Canadian website) and then from other US academic websites
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/poisonousplants.html
http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/projects/poison/agbook/phytolac.htm
http://www.lafayettela.gov/acplus/RPImages/Poison_1.pdf

By now, I’m worry and being over reacting father. I called poison hotline to find out if I should be worry and bring her to an emergency room. The nice man on the other end of the phone told me not to worry. He has never heard of anybody die from eating cherry pits, but keep an eye on her anyway. I then called my family physician to be sure, and he told me that in his many years of medical practice has he ever encounter anybody being sick or die from eating cherry pits. Which by now made me feel a lot better, but I’m still paranoid being this is my only child. So I took the gamble and starting eating the cherry pits myself to see if I feel any side effect. Nothing! I even crack the seeds and ate them.

For you parents that may be freaking out (like me) after finding out that you child ate some cherry pits, you have nothing to worry about. It’s okay. As you can see, I’m not dead. Be pretty good, if a dead person can get on the computer and blog…
This lady is freaking people out for no good reason. Also I found out that if the food we’re eating is bad, FDA wouldn’t allow them on the shelf w/o proper warning. I look all over the container that the cherries came in, and it didn’t have any label with warning “EATING CHERRY PIT CAN KILL A CHILD”.

August 12, 2009 at 12:40 pm
(101) Jason Loves Jesus says:

I just ate a cherry pit. Seriously though, I did about 5 minutes prior to reading this blog. To be honest, I’m not too worried, although at first I’ll admit that I was a little curious more than anything. Let me propose this… With all the lawsuits we have here in America, especially from peoples own stupidity and self-affliction and ignorance, and companies still being sued for actions not their own… Do you think that if a cherry pit could kill you, they’d be posting warnings and cautions all over the fruits packaging or plastic bag? …I’m just saying. It’s something to think about.
God bless you guys, love you all! Continue your research.

August 13, 2009 at 2:11 pm
(102) Satanlover says:

i DROPPED SOME ACID LAST NIGHT AND HAD a chat about this with Satan. He said that seeds won’t kill you. So eat up.

then again he might be lying. See you in hell

August 24, 2009 at 3:07 pm
(103) Didn't die, but felt so bad I wanted to! says:

I will NEVER forget my cherry pit experience. Very nice lady at work brought in a ton of organic cherries, and they were really good…the dark ripe ones. I had a little bowl of them near my desk, and I was busy typing, so wasn’t paying much attention to what I was doing and I swallowed a couple of the pits…either two or three, I don’t remember. This was some time in the morning.

I had a redeye flight to catch that night–two week vacation! So I was working later than usual, and I was there after everyone else had left. Around 7 pm or so, I started feeling a little weird. I never get nauseous, and I figured it would pass. But then came the dizziness. And the sweating. And the headache. And soon I was LYING ON THE FLOOR in my cubicle, unable to stand up to even make it to the bathroom. I had to turn my office wastecan on its side, because guess what? Projectile vomiting. I thought I was going to die right there on the floor.

I literally crawled over to where the phone cord was, pulled it down a crashing, called my husband at home and said “You’d better come. Something is BAD wrong with me, and I can’t even walk to the elevator.” He rushed over and carried me to the car…had to pull over once so I could barf up a lot of LIVER BILE, and we only lived five minutes from work.

In retrospect, I probably should have gone to the hospital (duh) but I wasn’t thinking very clearly, and I was so worried we’d miss our plane. I laid on the bed while he brought me tea and toast and cold towels for my head, and had a neighbor run to the drug store to get whatever they had to make a crazy sick lady quit barfing her internal organs inside out. I forget what it was, but it seemed to help, and finally I was able to wobble out to the car. Husband drove to the airport while I slept like a zombie. Made our flight, but I felt like a tattered dishrag the whole next day.

True story, and if I ever swallow another cherry pit, I’m shoving my whole hand down my throat if that’s what it takes to bring it back up immediately. That was THE most miserable, disorienting, frightening, miserable sick I’ve ever been, and believe me folks, you don’t want to go through it.

August 28, 2009 at 2:07 am
(104) Nela Bianco says:

If you research further, apple and apricot seeds can actually attack cancer cells and kill them off due to what you call “poison”. They are very good for you. Has anyone ever heard of someone die of this; even birds eat apple seeds and fly off singing

August 31, 2009 at 3:22 pm
(105) Vogellied says:

I looked this over since I have read conflicting info on whether to remove apple seeds when juicing (not as a fast or diet, just because I enjoy juicing..). I have to agree with many of the posters here in that this article leave much to be desired. First, I have no real opinion on B-17 or the cancer debate. I do take issues with the lack of cited materials to bolster the claim coupled with the lack of QUANTITY. I have been juicing whole apples, 5 to a setting, with pips, and suffered no adverse reactions. I have searched tirelessly to find exacting, large scale studies to support you suppositions or believable evidence and have looked over your one cited material, a “letter to the editor” which provides NO factual evidence and NO cited evidence. Apple is only mentioned three times, only once in context, and has one citing that may or may not be relevant hwich I am unable to find “Lawrence review of natural products, “Appleseed.” St. Louis: Facts and Comparisons, January 1995.”. I have been able to find no study citing any real evidence that once can truely posion onceself with cherry pits, apples seeds, or the like based on useual consumption (obviously sitting down and ingesting hundred of cherry pits will no be benifical to your health). You state in yur defence this is to warn people off of the dangers to children and pets, but again you provide no cited evidence from ANY pediatirc or vetranry journals nor am I able to locate any. While there might be adverse affects from such items, you make very strong claims without any eveidence and without factual backing you seem to be engaing in fear mongering and the purpetuation of rumor. I would be interested to know when you first heard this and from whom as I would imagine this shaped your opinion, which you parse out as fact. No trying to be mean, but you have a PHD, I would expect better. The article is not without use though, some of those who disagree, for whatever reason, have provided soome ecellent and at times entertaining info.

September 1, 2009 at 10:07 am
(106) shazza says:

Hi, I am glad to have found this site and the discussion board as I believe there are some very intelligent people here that may be able to offer me some advice. My mother died 38 years ago of cancer and now my sister has secondary bone cancer. One would think that in the years since my mother died until now we would have made some advances in cancer research but it seems to me that more people than ever are getting cancer and dying from it. I have spent many hours on the internet looking at alternative/complimentary therapies that we could try. From what I have read it seems to be all about the money. There would be billions of dollars lost if an “orthodox” cancer cure was found. So far we have changed my sisters diet removing as much sugar as possible and there are so many other possibilities out there to try. I am in the middle of reading about LDN, DMSO, MMS to name but a few. My sister has also been taking 2 teaspoons of ground apricot seeds mixed with honey every night for the last year with no side effects, and the owner of the orchard where we get them from here in NZ ships them all over the country and he has seen some wonderful results over the years. I look forward to more discussions with you. warm regards from shazza in New Zealand.

September 2, 2009 at 1:57 pm
(107) jd says:

Steve posted a comment in June of 2008 that is not only informative, but accurate. One can watch the video, “a world without cancer” which is on youtube. This video discusses what happened when an individual ate a cup full of apple seeds. Anne is quite right when she states that “enough” of them (seeds) can be toxic. One must be very careful not to overdose on the seeds of apples, apricots and the other fruits mentioned. Moreover, there are other foods that in combination with the “seeds” of these fruits will cause toxicity, as well. Do your research, be healthy, and be safe!

September 7, 2009 at 1:14 pm
(108) JM says:

http://www.snopes.com/food/warnings/apples.asp

September 21, 2009 at 4:57 pm
(109) missl says:

so is it the red apple or the green one or both?

October 20, 2009 at 9:23 am
(110) Nick says:

Anne Marie you stupid woman,you are the reason why so many westerners are dying in this day and age from so many dietery related illnesses,seriously go back to school and wake up,REMEMBER PEOPLE also to keep of limes and anything else with vitamin C,and don’t be stupid it can’t cure scurvy,animals eat seeds,WE eat seeds PSYCHO woman,of course too much of anything could be bad BUT not what you would naturally eat,nutncase

October 22, 2009 at 7:47 pm
(111) Eric says:

Our education system, in particular science and reasoned thinking has failed.

It is the only way to explain many of the posts here.

October 27, 2009 at 4:14 pm
(112) Derric says:

I ate two whole apples while reading this out of spite and I’m perfectly fine. I mean that was what 15-20 seeds? Is someone going to eat more seeds than that in one sitting? Doubtful. Will these two apples help destroy cancer cells popping up in my body? Perhaps, and that’s a chance I wouldn’t hesitate to take every day.
Cheers!

October 28, 2009 at 12:07 am
(113) Nick Morrison says:

Chemistry,

I find it highly amusing that people have the gall to get on here and throw around insults and judgments. Everyone is going to have their own opinion, as you are going to have yours. What I find funny is that what you wrote about is fact. Could they be beneficial? Possibly. But that wasn’t what your article was about. It was about their toxicity in paranormal doses. Thanks for spreading your knowledge and if I have a comment about the health benefits of apple or cherry seeds I will be sure to post it under an article discussing that or at least not call you names while I am trying to announce my opinion. How immature grown people are these days.

Thanks,

Nick

P.S. Just checked on my two cherry tomato plants and they are doing GREAT! Only 2 more months until I have yummy, yummy salad tomatoes :) N:)

October 28, 2009 at 2:31 am
(114) bromikl says:

In all the posts, I haven’t seen anyone mention cyanide sensitivity. My father may not eat un-pitted cherries, nor eat a peach all the way to the pit. If he did, he would have an allergic reaction to the small amount of aforementioned cyanide present.

While harmless to most people, there is a small percentage of people who can have exactly the negative effects described – even in the small quantities present.

I’m amazed that with more than 100 posts on the subject, no one considered that both sides of the “issue” have valid and legitimate points – even if they didn’t understand why.

Though if the subject had been properly researched, we wouldn’t have so much to argue about!

November 2, 2009 at 11:37 pm
(115) Eric See says:

Hi, intresting forum I have been taking juice , apple etc…plus one teapoon ofapricot seed/kernel powder for a month now —feel just great , i have no cancer just want to take precaution .
Anyone heard of fresh lemon grass tea another cancer cell killer . do check out the official research news at website at isreal21c.org

November 3, 2009 at 2:18 am
(116) Jim says:

I had a friend of a friend who ate one cherry with the pit and died 10 minutes afterward.

Of course the semi trailer was none the worse for wear!

How many people die each year from consuming apple seeds or cherry pits? Could find no answer in several Google searches. What does that lead me to believe? That this is bogus info!

November 3, 2009 at 9:08 am
(117) LLBH says:

People die from drinking (too much) water! The fact is if you take out TOO MUCH you’d scare people from drinking water when in fact a person needs to drink at least 8 glasses of water.

What does TOO MUCH mean in your case?

Research shows that eating apple seeds prevents cancer and eating ALMONDS promotes healthy arteries and has many other benefits.

PLEASE< PLEASE GET THE INFORMATION RIGHT AND DO NOT MAKE STUFF UP!!!

November 3, 2009 at 10:19 am
(118) JohnyV says:

You SHAME yourself Anne. Your above article is nothing more than PROPAGANDA, but sadly I feel you wrote it unknowingly. But I for one would NEVER write something without FULLY researching and posting official scientific case studies in order to prove an issue.

Why did you post this propaganda story Anne? For shock value, so people would come to your bog? If so you shame yourself because the people you are hurting, suffering from cancer and are deterred by your above story, is on your soul Anne. If you care or are a good person, you would revise or delete this trash.

Apple, Cherry, Apricot, Etc.. Seeds, are some of the few/rarer foods that a person can get an extremely important vitamin called B17. B17 can not be patented by big pharm industry. Sad fact is that Cancer is one of the largest money makers for the corporate elites, which have zero desire to ever market a cure because TREATING the symptoms is much much more profitable. B17 which can be found simply in Seeds are considered by MANY to destroy cancer. The research behind this and the countless sworn testimony by cancer survivors who were cured by B17 are impressive to say the least.

Simple tap water is extremely deadly when consuming too much, just like Seeds but drinking too much water isn’t really on peoples mind everyday.

Anne, you stated: “Nowhere did I ever say eating a couple of seeds would kill you. I would guess most people who have eaten apples and cherries have eaten some seeds. However, I’m sticking to my guns here, people”

BUT you did imply that “chewing” more then a couple, would hurt or kill a person, which is my biggest problem with you propaganda hit piece on B17 aka apple/cherry seeds. But you did this as a “shock jock” story so people would come to your blog, didn’t you?

http://www.laetrile.com.au/copy.asp?sect=q1&page=why

http://surfingthetao.vox.com/library/post/eat-your-apple-seeds.html

Eat your seeds people and JUST LIKE WATER, don’t give it a 2nd thought if you are just consuming them in moderation. How much is safe? Eating or drinking foods in a normal setting, normal amounts each day is one of the best scales to safely go by. Would you drink so much water in one sitting that you feel like throwing up? No. Would you normally drink more then 2 or 3 full glasses of water in one meal? No. Would you drink more then 3 gallons of water in a normal day? No.
Same with Apple, Cherry, Apricot Seeds, think of this scale, would you eat more then 1 or 2 apples during a normal meal? No. Think of the seeds in relation to the whole fruit it came from, don’t eat more then you would if it was a whole fruit… in others words, open an apple, count the seeds, now that is the limit of what you would eat that day normally… if you usually eat 1 or 2 whole apples in a day, only eat as many seeds would come from those apples. The average apple has about 5 seeds. 5 apple seeds for the entire day or a few times a week (many people never eat more then 1 or 2 apples in a whole week, never mind each day) would be safe scale.
Although, don’t take my word for it. I want the person reading this NOT to believe what I say, or consume any seed BECAUSE I WANT YOU, THE READER, TO RESEARCH THIS ENTIRE SUBJECT ON YOUR OWN.

Anne never did this, she never put the proper time in her above fear mongering story.

B17 has been taken out of the American diet, when our bodies need it like every other vitamin… ask yourself why and who benefits from doing this… it always leads back to the cancer industry. Just saying the words industry with cancer should wake most up.

For shame Anne, if you truly care and are a good person, do something about this false artical.

November 4, 2009 at 1:38 pm
(119) Melyssa says:

This author is obviously just another hack covering up for the big pharma and medical cartel. She cited no research and no documention, yet the lay people who read this post bring forth lots of documented detailed information supporting the fact that the seeds don’t kill you.

November 4, 2009 at 2:40 pm
(120) LU says:

GOD BLESS YOU AND THANK YOU LEE. IVE BEEN EATING APPLE SEEDS ALL OF MY LIFE AND NOT ONLY AM I STILL ALIVE BUT ALSO AM MORE HEALTHY THAN MOST PEOPLE I KNOW AND GET SICK ALMOST NEVER. EAT YOUR APPLES AND THERE SEEDS ISTS GOOD FOR YOU.

November 6, 2009 at 12:12 am
(121) Antony says:

Well, just finished reading all the comments and am now in the process of eating a few apples and their seeds.

Long live me :)

November 6, 2009 at 7:44 am
(122) The Guzz says:

Ok I read the first half of this and I can’t go on any longer. This makes me sick to see how these people lie through their teeth like this to further protect their pharamceutical profits. I am here to disprove the bs right now. Once you read my story, you’ll know that apple seeds (or apricot seeds) are just as safe as water. First off, these things are truly effective against cancer. This is the reason the gov. and fda goes so far as to ban them and make up false information like this as scare tactics. The seeds CANNOT kill you. It’s not possible. The false information you have read here about people being in the hospital from eating too many is a complete lie. You can eat as many of the seeds as you want. The more you eat, the quicker you will beat your cancer. (keep reading) If you are healthy…then you should also eat them everyday, because it is impossible to develop cancer if you eat enough of them (generally around 7 apricot seeds a day is enough if you are just trying to prevent cancer) Keep in mind the apircot seeds are much more potent than the apple seeds. So, to say apple seeds could kill you is beyond ridiculous. I know this for a FACT…I didn’t read this anywhere. I EXPERIENCED IT…so I want everyone to keep reading so they can see the TRUTH about what these seeds really do when you eat a BUNCH of them. Well I had skin cancer on my stomach. I learned about a natural treatment using apricot seeds to cure cancer, so I had to try it. I mean even the bible says to eat the seeds! I am not here to talk religion, but anyone with half a brain would know that seeds in our fruit are harmless. Who would you trust more? The good ole FDA or the bible?? Anyways, I started eating a huge quantity of these seeds when I got them (You can get a pound of them for less than 20 bucks…that’s why the gov. is so scared of people finding out that these things really work) Anyways, I was told to take 30 or more seeds per day…so me being extreme with everything, I took about 50 of them per day (about 10 in each sitting) Now, somedays I would eat 100 or more. I mean these things are 100% NON TOXIC. Like others stated above, The cyanide IS NOT RELEASED at healthy cells. Only at cancer cells. It is the perfect cure for cancer, as there are no bad side effects, and it is non toxic UNLIKE the Chemo the FDA recommends! Go figure. They would rather you use a highly toxic, and expensive treatment, rather than a non toxic, cheap treatment. That is how nice these people are. *Insert sarcasm here* Anyways, you’re not gonna believe this, but after just TWO DAYS, of eating the seeds and excersiing in the sun (yes, the sun is also a MUST if you want to cure cancer….once again go figure…they tell you to stay out of the sun…that is causes cancer…once again I won’t go into details about this, but I promise you it is BS. The sun does not cause cancer. The sun is so good for you. I don’t care what you have read, or how long you’ve been brainwashed…I EXPERIENCED THIS MYSELF. I CURED MY CANCER FROM EATING 50 APRICOT SEEDS PER DAY AND STAYING OUT IN THE SUN ALL DAY. Now let me explain more, so you can draw another conclusion. I am VERY sensitive to ANYTHING toxic. I also have liver damage from drinking too much alcohol…so I can notice when I take anything that is toxic, even if its just slightly. And when I ate TONS of these apricot seeds everyday, I did not notice one single bad effect from it. (only bad for my cancer, which dissapeared after just TWO DAYS!! No wonder they tell you eating a lot of them is dangerous….because the key to beating the cancer is to eat a lot of them…if you are just trying to prevent it, then you only need about 7 per day…that would be equal to about eating 10 apples per day while chewing the seeds. I don’t even know a single person who eats anywhere near 10 apples per day, yet they try to spread false info that apple seeds could be dangerous. And even if you ate 100 of them per day, it would be perfectly safe. But nobody does this because our bodies know not to eat the same thing all day. We know naturally how much of something to eat. The science behind this is that once you eat too much of the same thing, it will start to taste different and you will be sick of it. This tells us naturally we want something else. Think about it. If you had a basket of fruit in front of you..and that was all you had to eat for the day. Would you eat only the apples, or would you eat some of the other fruit as well? It’s just obvious. But the great thing is that nobody could humanly possible eat enough seeds to kill you. This is my point. They are not only safe, but they could SAVE your life. So, what are you waiting for? Go out and eat those seeds! If you have skin cancer (or any other type) remember it took me just two days to cure the skin cancer. If you dont believe me, eat 50 of the seeds for two days and go out in the sun. I was sweating and when I rubbed my stomach, the cancer cells just rubbed right off!! And they never did come back. I have been free of cancer for 7 years now thanks to these seeds. I am a somewhat heavy smoker and i don’t ever worry about getting cancer, because i know it’s impossible for cancer to develop in a person who is eating enough of these seeds each day. PS- I looked up online about other people who cured their cancer eating these seeds, and I saw similiar reports about their skin cancer cells just dying and coming right off their body. That’s what happened with mine. This is not a coincidence or a fluke. This is what the seeds do. This is what “god” put them in our fruit for. Not to poison our kids (lol) but to prevent us from a common disease called cancer! Without these seeds, anyone could (and likely will) get cancer. The facts are there. The bs artists can’t back up their BS, because it’s just that…BS. All they can try and do is SCARE you with these false stories of people going to the hospital from eating too many seeds, and blah blah blah blah. DONT LET THEIR SCARE TACTICS WORK…or you could end up with cancer…and I guarantee you…that will scare you a lot worse.

November 6, 2009 at 8:09 am
(123) The Guzz says:

PSS- I just read that other nonsense about someone being allergic to the cy so they couldn’t eat them. NOBODY IS ALLERGIC TO THE SEEDS! The reason why is because the chemicals in them are naturally found in every one of our bodies. The cyanide is locked in and will not harm your body what so ever. Even if you were allergic to cyanide. Cyanide is deadly to cells. This is the reason the seeds cure cancer…because they ONLY release the cyanide at the cancer cell. This means, healthy humans. Man, isn’t god a great chemist! PSS- I can’t stress this enough. If I was eating 50 apricot seeds per day (which I did for months straight even after I cured my cancer, just to be 100% sure it wouldn’t return) then COMPARE that to how many apple seeds….That would be like eating 100’s and 100’s of apples and their seeds per day. This is impossible. So, I basically proved that you cannot overdose on these seeds. The more you eat, the quicker you cure the cancer. Bottom line. I want it to be clear (because apricot seeds are MORE potent than apple seeds) and so if you can safely and effectively eat 50 apricot seeds a day, then this should prove to you anyone who tells you too many apple seeds is dangerous are lying (or misinformed) What is dangerous is if you actually get brainwashed by this bs. Anyways, one other point I wanted to make is that it is HARDER to overdose on water, than it is to overdose on these seeds. How many people do we see overdosing on water everyday? Not many! Putting all the toxins in water beside..it’s nearly impossible to overdose on it. Even in situations where the patient retains a lot of water and drinks an abnormally large amount, it’s still very rare. And it’s even harder to overdose on the seeds for the mere fact that your body will tell you to stop eating them at a certain point. Most people can’t stand the taste of them at all because they arent adapeted to them. Just remember, if you have cancer…you must eat at least 25 to 30 of them(apricot seeds not apple) per day and go out in the sun so you can get enough vit D to absorb the nutrients. If you cant handle the taste, you must grind them up and use them like a spice to mix with other foods. Trust me, I didnt like the taste either, but it was sure worth it to get rid of my cancer that I had for so long.

November 19, 2009 at 7:08 pm
(124) Jim says:

Howdy,

In the late 1970’s I think I heard of a “holistic” cancer treatment using Laetrile. I started eating my apple seeds. I guess, I was pretty stupid, but I actually liked eating the whole apple (being part thrifty Scot) and the seeds actually tasted kind of good (almondy) – I have always chewed them. I am wondering if I may have instead of protecting myself from cancer – actually caused some health problems: my main problems have been classified as aging – I am now 55, but it seemed when I hit 50 – really went downhill fast – when I was 46 I did 1000 sit -ups without stopping, now I hardly exercise due to arthritis – maybe I will quit eating the apple core for awhile and see if there are any positive effects. I think I have been eating and chewing apple seeds for about 30 years.

November 19, 2009 at 10:10 pm
(125) doctor will says:

Don’t believe what people are saying here. Do the research yourself. In particular look at this document called here :

http://worldwithoutcancer.org.uk/FINALGUIDEUKpdfEbook.pdf

November 21, 2009 at 12:26 am
(126) Jack says:

One mans cure is another mans poison.

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