Health Nut Q&A: Brazil Nut Benefits for Men’s Health
Our Health Nut and Registered Dietitian, Molly Morgan, answers our customers’ most pressing health and nutrition questions!
If you’d like Molly to answer one of your questions in a future blog post, please email your question to health@nuts.com. If we feature your question in The Nutty Scoop, we will also send you a pound of your favorite Nuts.com product.
I heard that Brazil Nuts were excellent for prostate problems. Is this true? – Norley
The link between Brazil nut benefits and prostate health likely refers to the high selenium content of Brazil nuts. Brazil nuts are one of the highest naturally occurring food sources of selenium. Each Brazil nut has about 68 micrograms (mcg) of selenium and in just one ounce there is 544 mcg or about 777% of the Daily Value.
So, how do Brazil nuts promote prostate health? Selenium, a trace mineral, acts in the body in a way that may protect DNA and cells from damage. Additionally, studies link prediagnostic low levels of selenium as a risk for various types of cancer including prostate, lung, and colorectal cancer. Having 3 Brazil nuts per day would provide your body about204 mcg of selenium per day, which is a level of selenium supplementation found to reduce the overall cancer risk, including prostate cancer.
And remember: food first, supplements second. If you add in a few Brazil nuts per day ensure that you are not taking a selenium supplement, too. Although selenium toxicity is rare, it can happen. Symptoms can include gastrointestinal distress and nerve damage. Most selenium toxicity has been related to accidental manufacturing errors that led to overdosing of selenium rather than overconsumption of selenium from naturally-occurring sources.
References:
Richards B, et al. Multiplex PCR amplification from the CFTR gene using DNA prepared from buccal brushes/swabs, Hum Mol Genet 1993;2:159–63.
Combs GF, Jr., Clark LC, Turnbull BW. Reduction of cancer risk with an oral supplement of selenium. Biomed Environ Sci 1997;10:227-34. [PubMed abstract]
NIH Dietary Fact Sheet – Selenium: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Selenium-HealthProfessional/
3 Responses to “Health Nut Q&A: Brazil Nut Benefits for Men’s Health”
Thank you so much for your reply to my question. Your answer was just what I had hoped to hear. It gives me direction for the use of Brazil nuts as a(delicious)source of selenium for prostate health.
Your offer of a pound of nuts of my choice sounds great also. Please send me a pound of shelled Brazil nuts to the address below. Thank you for everything.
Norley Hall
148 South 550 West
Springville, Utah
84663
Thank you so much for your reply to my question. Your answer was just what I had hoped to hear. It gives me direction for the use of Brazil lnuts as a (delicious) source of selenium for prostate health.
You’re welcome Norley! Here’s to your health! Enjoy – Molly Morgan, RD, CDN, CSSD