Apricots & B-17 Longevity Connection + The Antiviral Connection….
By Prithu Nath
The Hunza Valley is situated in a remote, pristine area of Gilgit Baltistan, where locals grow their own food and utilize fresh glacier water for drinking and bathing. Cut-off from any nearby cities or commercial hubs, the Hunza do not consume any processed foods and eat a diet rich in vegetables, milk, grains and fruit, especially apricots.
Apricots are a staple for the Hunza, who are said to go for several months a year on a diet consisting purely of apricot juice. The Hunza are said to not suffer from cancer, due to their consumption of vitamin b-17, also known as amygdalin, found in apricot seeds. Their diet also consists largely of raw fruits and vegetables, and lesser quantities of meat.
The Hunza People Eat The Pith of the Apricot Seed mixed to the Indian Bread, i.e. Rotis in very moderate amounts of 3 to 4 pits per month.
A single apricot seed is found lodged within the hard pit inside of the apricot fruit you are probably familiar with. In each tiny Apricot Power seed, there are about 20mg of Vitamin B17 (amygdalin).
Apricot kernels also contain a variety of additional nutrients, including fatty acids, such as Omega-3, Protein, Fiber, and Zinc.
It is claimed that these combined with the high amounts of Vitamin A, C and Potassium found in Apricots is one of the secrets to their Healthy Longevity besides the Pure Air, Water, Stress Free Life and Lack of Processed Foods in their Diet. Their Hard Work in the Fields is another aspect that keeps them Healthy.
Interestingly, the Egyptian papyri 5,000 years ago, did mention the beneficial use of derivatives of bitter almonds in treating skin tumors. Also, the Romans and Greeks connected some therapeutic properties to those derivatives. Thereafter, those derivatives were known as amygdalin or vitamin B17, as bitter almonds are considered one of the richest sources of B-17. Interestingly, however, the communities with the lowest rates of cancer worldwide, such as the Abkhazians, the Hopi and Navajo Indians, the Hunzas, the Eskimos and the Karakorum, have in common a diet rich in products with a high content of amygdalin. In Egypt, people mix coriander seeds and salt with ground apricot kernel to make a traditional snack, known as “dokka.”
B17 is also found in slightly bitter almonds, celery, carrots, berries (raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries), most beans and legumes (sprouting enhances the content), seeds (flax, chia and sesame), grains like sorghum and buckwheat and grasses like sprouted alfalfa and wheat grass. We do not Recommend the consumption of B-17 Supplements but do recommend B17 from Food Sources.
Its anti-cancerous properties aside, Vitamin B17, especially if derived from natural food sources instead of supplements, can bring in a bevy of health benefits. They include:
- Regulating Hypertension: Vitamin B17 can help regulate hypertension issues due to the formation of thiocyanate, instrumental in lowering high blood pressure.
- Boosts the Immune System: Vitamin B17 is also known to work wonders for the immune system. One of the Biggest benefit of the vitamin is its potential to increase white blood cells, which improve immunity.
- Great Antioxidant: Some experts also claim the ability of the vitamin to associate with other powerful antioxidants like vitamin A, C and E to break down and eradicate toxic cells from our body, thus aiding a natural detox process and promoting overall health.
- Pain Reliever: Vitamin B17 also works as an effective pain reliever.
- Apricot Seeds Contain Thiamine and Omega-3 Fatty Acids, which May Lower Blood Pressure and Improve Heart Health
Apricot Seeds contain high levels of Thiamine, also known as Vitamin B1, which some research shows may help lower blood pressure and maintain heart health.
Thiamine may encourage pump (systolic) and fill (diastolic) pressure to and from the heart, possibly aiding in the prevention of congestive heart failure.
Furthermore, in a study conducted in New Zealand, results showed that Thiamine may have beneficial effects on lowering the blood pressure levels in individuals with early stage hypoglycemia.
Apricot Seeds also contain Omega 3, an essential fatty acid that the body cannot produce on its own. According to Harvard University, Omega 3 may improve circulation and lower heart rate.
- Apricot Seeds May Reduce the Effects of Inflammation and Arthritis
Apricot seeds are also known for their potential to reduce inflammation. Research shows that the fiber content within the seeds may trap acid and other toxins in the body and assist in their removal.
Studies display that apricot seeds may even support extreme cases of inflammation like arthritis. In a South Korean study conducted on rats with arthritis, apricot kernels were successful in reducing pain associated with arthritis.
- Zinc in Apricot Seeds May Support Vision and Eye Health
Apricot seeds contain a considerable amount of the essential trace mineral Zinc. Zinc is found in high traces in healthy human eyes.
Zinc plays a vital role in transporting Vitamin A to the retina in order to create melanin. Lack of Zinc has been linked to poor night vision, cloudy cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration. Studies show that consuming 40 to 80mg of Zinc per day may slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration.
- Vitamin B17 May Support Liver Health
B17 may promote liver health and may help reverse some of the effects of autoimmune hepatitis, a disease characterized by inflammation of the liver. In a study where adult mice were injected with the virus, the group treated with B17 saw significant changes in healthy T-cell growth and a decline in disease.
- Vitamin B17 May Boost Immune System Defense
Vitamin B17 is best known for its immune defense properties. Studies have shown that B17 may help boost immunity by slowing down the spread of illness throughout the body by killing harmful cells.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids Found in Apricot Seeds May Support Mental Health
Omega-3 fatty acids found in apricot seeds may improve mental health in adults. Studies have shown that omega-3 may reduce mood swings, bipolar episodes, schizophrenia relapses, and violent behavior in individuals with psychiatric disorders.
Further, research has also linked regular intake of omega-3 with an increased resistance to age-related mental decline and diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease.
- Calcium Found in Apricot Seeds are Essential to Bone Health
Apricot seeds contain the bone-building mineral calcium. Calcium is an essential nutrient that your body cannot produce; it is thus vital to your health to consume enough calcium daily.
Calcium contributes to bone health by helping to regenerate bone cells and increasing bone density. A deficiency of calcium can lead to brittle bones that are prone to injury.
- B17 and Zinc Found in Apricot Seeds May Ease Ear Pain
As discussed, B17 has inflammation-suppressing qualities that may dull the effect of ear pain by trapping acid and toxins in the body and assisting with their removal.
Additionally, the Zinc present in apricot seeds may help fight ear infections and disease. This micronutrient helps activate and produce T-cells, which are our bodies’ defender cells that recognize and destroy bacteria, viruses, and other harmful diseases.
- Apricot Seed Oil is Widely Used to Support Skin Health
Apricot seed oil is rich in essential fatty acids (oleic and linoleic), vitamins A and E, and can moisturize and nourish skin; especially for dry and mature skin. It is widely used in cosmetics; especially in creams, soaps, and skin lotions.
The oil is easily absorbed by the skin and will not leave an oily residue. It is, therefore, popular as a massage oil and as sunbathing oil.
B-17 or Amygdalin must be consumed with caution and in extreme moderation for the benefits to show up and not turn toxic to the body. Upon ingestion, amygdalin is hydrolyzed to cyanide by beta-glucuronidase in the small intestine. Oral intake of 500 mg of amygdalin may contain as much as 30 mg of cyanide. Oral amygdalin is estimated to be 40 times more potent than intravenous form due to its enzymatic conversion to hydrogen cyanide in the gastrointestinal tract. Cyanide toxicity is highly fatal by interfering with mitochondrial oxygen utilization leading to cell death
1. Seeds
Many seeds and kernels of various fruits are rich in the vitamin, apricot kernels and seeds being on top of the chart. Other seeds loaded with goodness of vitamin B17 are apple seeds, plum seeds and pear seeds. Tiny seeds of berries, grapes, strawberries and raspberries. Flax seeds, squash seeds, millet seeds and buckwheat seeds are also found to contain this vitamin in adequate amounts.
Raspberries, elderberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and wild berries contain the vitamin in pretty abundant quantities.
(Also read:7 Incredible Blueberry Benefits: From Being a Powerful Antioxidant to Regulating Blood Sugar)
3. Nuts
Did you know that the bitter variant of almond was used in abundance traditionally by the Chinese, Egyptians and Pueblo Indians? In around 1802, it was identified that distilling the water from bitter almonds releases hydrocyanic acid, which could be purified to form Amygdalin. Macedemia nuts and cashew nuts follow next after bitter almonds in terms of vitamin B17 content.
4. Grains and Millets
Load up on sorghum, buckwheat, barley and millet from your kitchen pantry to optimise on the nutritional benefit of the vitamin.
5. Eucalyptus Leaves
Leaves of Eucalyptus are found to contain moderate amounts of vitamin B17. Even spinach leaves are said to have traces of the vitamin.
6. Sprouts
Bamboo sprouts or bamboo shoots boast of a high content of the vitamin, followed by the sprouts of alfalfa, fava beans and mung sprouts. Whole green gram sprouts also contain the vitamin but in very moderate amounts.
1 Comments(Also read:10 Best Sprouts Recipes: From Salads to Jalfrezi and More)
Please note: Include these sources to load up on the goodness and nutritional benefits of Vitamin B17. However, if the consumption is inducing toxic and allergic reactions like vomiting or headache, stop the intake immediately and consult your doctor.
2. Berries
Raspberries, elderberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and wild berries contain the vitamin in pretty abundant quantities.
3. Nuts
Did you know that the bitter variant of almond was used in abundance traditionally by the Chinese, Egyptians and Pueblo Indians? In around 1802, it was identified that distilling the water from bitter almonds releases hydrocyanic acid, which could be purified to form Amygdalin. Macedemia nuts and cashew nuts follow next after bitter almonds in terms of vitamin B17 content.
4. Grains and Millets
Load up on sorghum, buckwheat, barley and millet from your kitchen pantry to optimise on the nutritional benefit of the vitamin.
5. Eucalyptus Leaves
Leaves of Eucalyptus are found to contain moderate amounts of vitamin B17. Even spinach leaves are said to have traces of the vitamin.
6. Sprouts
Bamboo sprouts or bamboo shoots boast of a high content of the vitamin, followed by the sprouts of alfalfa, fava beans and mung sprouts. Whole green gram sprouts also contain the vitamin but in very moderate amounts.
Please note: Include these sources to load up on the goodness and nutritional benefits of Vitamin B17. However, if the consumption is inducing toxic and allergic reactions like vomiting or headache, stop the intake immediately and consult your doctor.