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What is vitamin B17 ?

Vitamin B17 is not a vitamin. It is the old designantion of amygdalin or laetrile. Amygdalin is the bitter compound in almonds and a potential toxin as it may release cyanide in the body. Amygdalin is claimed to have anti-carcinogenic properties, but this has not been scientifically proven. As the body does not need amygdalin, it is not a vitamin.