09/03/18
Brazil nuts, benefits to health and weight loss.
Since I went completely Vegan a few months ago I have supplemented my diet with vitamin B12. I was already taking a monthly dose of D3 for my bones and wondered about also adding selenium.
As you probably know I am a great believer in using food to get everything that you need rather than resorting to supplements. However, with no animal products in my diet, I knew that I would need B12 which is only available through animal foods and soil.
As humans are designed to run around Africa naked, not live fully clothed indoors, I also knew that my vitamin D was D for dodgy. I have osteopenia, the start of osteoporosis so I have been taking Vitamin D for a few years.
Now, as you probably are probably aware NZ soils are deficient in selenium, our cattle are supplemented and we have imported wheat strains that provide higher selenium even in our low soils. But most dietary selenium comes from seafood and organ meats of which I am having neither. But the highest concentration of all comes from Brazil nuts. Six or so Brazil nuts a week will do your selenium requirement nicely, but rather than take 6 Brazils all in one go, I have started putting one a day into my breakfast. This works really well for me as I find all nuts moreish and would eat too many left to my own devices!
One brazil nut contains 33 calories, 3g fat, and 1g of protein.
If you have ever wondered where brazil nuts come from and how they are produced have a look at this youtube video link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAL9tCNmMW8
Selenium is protective against some cancers, heart disease, thyroid disease, and cognitive decline in the elderly to find out more go to this link.
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Selenium-HealthProfessional/
I hope you enjoy learning more about Brazil, selenium, and your health.