Apricot seeds are taken by many people as a cancer treatment as they contain high doses of Vitamin B17, an immune system enhancer. However, apricot seeds also contain cyanide, a poison.
The Food Standards Agency (UK) has advised people to take no more than two bitter apricot kernels a day. Higher doses could be dangerous for human health.
According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), it has received reports from various parts of the world of people overdosing with apricot seeds.
A UK retailer, Julian Gray, was selling 10 seeds a day doses of apricot seeds. The retailer says it will re-sell them at not such a high dose (the present dose is not longer for sale).
There is controversy about apricot seeds and the claims made about it as a cancer cure. At Medical News Today we have had hundreds of letters from patients on this subject. Some people say it is wonderful while others say it made them feel worse.
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today