Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I purchased this book as my father has advanced prostate cancer and I wanted to find out more about B17. I came across the potential benefits of B17 (laetrile / amygdalin) in the form of bitter apricot kernels through Ty Bollinger's book - 31 Day Home Cancer Cure The 31-Day Home Cancer Cure(an excellent read for anyone who has cancer or wishes to prevent cancer using alternative approaches). My father has been taking the bitter apricot kernels for the last 9 months and his PSA reading has dropped dramatically (165 to 13). Having said this there are numerous bad reviews about B17 and the bitter apricot kernels all over the internet (conventional view is that bitter apricot kernels don't work and are extremely dangerous as they release cyanide and can kill you in a 'high enough dose'). So my big questions were: 1. What is the scientific evidence for B17 and cancer treatment? 2. If it works, why is it not a recommended option offered by GPs and consultants? 3. Who else has taken bitter apricot kernels and what have their results been? How do these results compare to conventional treatments of surgery, radiation treatments, chemo or hormone treatments? 4. Ultimately (and my only purpose for reading this) - after researching things, do I still think taking bitter apricot kernels is doing my dad more good than harm? Should he continue with them? As part of my research, I bought this book, along with Laetrile Case Histories Laetrile Case Histories; The Richardson Cancer Clinic Experience, Cancer, Metabolic Therapy and Laetrile Cancer, metabolic therapy, and laetrile: A case history, with discussion of clinical application and materials used, B15 The Miracle Vitamin B15, Miracle Vitamin and Vitamin B15 (Pangamic Acid) Properties, Functions and Use Vitamin B15 (Pangamic Acid : Properties, Functions and Use). So how has this book helped me in my quest? I found this particular book to be extremely informative for several reasons: 1. This is the first time I have come across the theory that cancer is the result of a 'vitamin' deficiency - B17. (This is a very controversial theory and much disputed in medical circles). I say 'vitamin', as B17 is not a recognized / acknowledged vitamin by the FDA. 2. It explains the mechanism of how B17 works on cancer cells. In essence, it is true that bitter apricot kernels release cyanide - however, this is only true in the case of cancer cells, as they produce an enzyme that 'unlocks' the cyanide - and in fact it is this unlocked cyanide that kills the cancer cell. 3. Provides some interesting statistics on long-term survival of cancer patients using nutritional therapy Vs conventional cancer treatments, along with some anecdotal case histories. 4. Provides an insightful history on the politics of cancer treatment. It is really important to understand this, before passing judgment on whether alternative therapies work. If you know anyone who says "If it worked my consultant would have recommended it" - get them to read the second half of this book. In summary, this is a very well written book and a must read for anyone who has cancer, knows someone who has cancer or who wants to minimize their chances of getting cancer. I would recommend reading it cover to cover, rather than dipping in and out - as the chapters build on each other. Personally, I found it an easy and fascinating read. Of the books I have read, this was the best introduction to B17 and also one of the best on the politics of cancer treatments. (As an aside, Hoxsey Therapy: When Natural Cures for Cancer Became Illegal is an alarming first hand account of the politics of cancer treatment Hoxsey Therapy: When Natural Cures for Cancer Became Illegal; the Autobiogaphy of Harry Hoxsey, ND. For those that are interested, my conclusion (based on all of my research to date) is that my dad should continue with the bitter apricot kernels (he does about 25 per day in lots of 5 or 6 throughout the day) - and not only that, it has opened my eyes and I have started taking them myself as a preventative approach. I continue my research...