Tag: Cyanide

  • Amygdalin and Laetrile

    Amygdalin and Laetrile

    Amygdalin (from Ancient Greek: ἀμυγδαλή amygdalē “almond”) is a naturally occurring chemical compound found in many plants, most notably in the seeds (kernels) of apricots, bitter almonds, apples, peaches, cherries and plums, and in the roots of manioc. Amygdalin is classified as a cyanogenic glycoside, because each amygdalin molecule includes a nitrile group, which can be released as the toxic cyanide anion by the action of a beta-glucosidase. Eating amygdalin will cause it to release cyanide…

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  • Cause and Prevention of Konzo

    The character of the neurological injury is not clear. The disease onset is associated with high intake of cyanide from a diet of mostly bitter cassava, which is low in protein, particularly sulfur amino acids. These are essential for the detoxification in the body of cyanide to thiocyanate, which is removed in the urine. A…

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  • Konzo is an epidemic paralytic disease reportedly from simultaneous malnutrition and high dietary cyanide intake

    Konzo is an epidemic paralytic disease reportedly from simultaneous malnutrition and high dietary cyanide intake

    Konzo is an epidemic paralytic disease occurring among hunger-stricken rural populations in Africa where a diet dominated by insufficiently processed cassava results in simultaneous malnutrition and high dietary cyanide intake.  Konzo was first described by Giovanni Trolli in 1938 who compiled the observations from eight doctors working in the Kwango area of the Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of the Congo). “Konzo” means “tied legs” in…

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  • Lysine Tyrosylquinone (LTQ)

    Lysine Tyrosylquinone (LTQ)

    LTQ does not have a wikipedia page so I will check elsewhere. In the meantime, I found another reason to just say no to beans – osteolathyrism aka odoratism, which is a form of the disease Lathyrism. Wikipedia says: The disease results from the ingestion of Lathyrus odoratus seeds (sweet peas) from the family Fabaceae (legumes). The toxin found in the sweet peas is…

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