A Collection of Strange Beliefs, Amusing Deceptions, and Dangerous Delusions

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reader comments: Phillip Day

17 May 2014
Dear Robert,
You are far too dismissive of Phillip Day. On his guidance, I cured myself of skin cancer in 2006, by ingesting 8 apricot kernels twice daily and rubbing some of the masticated kernel into the lesion. It took 6 weeks. Amygdalin [Laetrile / B17] is harmless to a healthy cell. Water is harmless too, although its components can be explosive and flammable. The Wikipedia on Amydalin contains untruths.

Bryan

reply: Glad to hear you do not have skin cancer, Bryan. The odds that you cured yourself by ingesting 8 apricot kernels twice daily and rubbing masticated kernel into the lesion are slim. Of course, we can't do a controlled experiment on you, but there have been some experiments and some scientific studies of amygdalin and cancer. A 2011 systematic review by the Cochrane Collaboration concluded:

The claims that laetrile or amygdalin have beneficial effects for cancer patients are not currently supported by sound clinical data. There is a considerable risk of serious adverse effects from cyanide poisoning after laetrile or amygdalin, especially after oral ingestion. The risk–benefit balance of laetrile or amygdalin as a treatment for cancer is therefore unambiguously negative

It is possible you cured yourself of skin cancer with apricot pits. It is also possible you never had skin cancer to begin with. Did you diagnose yourself, too? In any case, I remain skeptical of anything Phillip Day has to say about cancer cures and I am skeptical that you cured yourself of skin cancer with apricot pits.

Phillip Day

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Last updated 22-Oct-2015

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