37+ Brazil Nuts Selenium Fertility Background. These nuts are energy dense, highly nutritious, and one of the most concentrated dietary sources of the mineral selenium. Soil conditions in parts of south america are unique in that they are deficient in sulfur, a necessary element required for the formation of the amino acids methionine and cysteine 1.
An important dietary item of the indigenous indian selenium is an essential mineral found in brazil nuts, seafood, meat, and fish products. Foods high in selenium include brazil nuts, tuna, oysters, pork, beef, chicken, tofu, whole wheat pasta, shrimp, and mushrooms. In addition to the concentration of total se, it is important to consider the chemical forms of se in the brazil nuts, because these differ in nutritional value.
Since selenium overdose or poisoning is very possible with brazil nuts, discuss with your doctor before modifying your diet and adding or increasing the intake of a food such as this.
Brazil nuts are one of the best real food sources of selenium. How much is too much?. While this sounds like a benefit, the amount of selenium in a handful of brazil nuts is so high that brazil nuts provide similar nutritional benefits as other nuts, but they should not be used to fill this recommendation. Brazil nuts are well known for their high concentration of selenium.