For optimal testosterone production, dietary fats are essential. In fact, fats such as cholesterol are the building blocks of testosterone. The best sources of healthy fats in the diet come from animal foods and nuts. However, there is one nut that is proving to offer more benefits for men than most other foods. That nut is Brazil nuts, and they are a superfood for your fertility and testosterone levels!
How about nourishing your nuts with some nuts shall we?!
A Natural Source of Selenium
Brazil nuts contain significant amounts of the trace mineral selenium, which is not as known as most other minerals but still very much essential to health. You could consider it one of the big three important nutrients for men, the other two being zinc and vitamin D.
Selenium has been shown to be a highly important mineral for healthy testosterone levels and sperm production. So what is the best natural source of selenium found in nature? You guessed it, Brazil nuts!
Many guys are deficient in selenium and can experience such a significant increase as a doubling of testosterone levels, which is not uncommon when commencing supplementation to address a deficiency.
Tim Ferris, the famous author of the book “The 4-Hour Body,” wrote about this phenomenon in his chapter on maximizing testosterone levels. His dosing protocol was 3 in the morning and three at night, as well as four nuts before sex to boost sex drive. However, keep in mind that this amount of nuts is usually too high for daily consumption if you already have adequate levels of selenium. Tim Ferris was deficient, which is why it was extra beneficial to him as well as not harmful. You can follow our safer dosing protocols at the end of this article.
If you are suffering from low testosterone levels, trying a few brazil nuts each day for two weeks is a cheap and easy way of addressing one of the most common causes of low T.
Another interesting anecdote is that among groups of monkeys who feed on Brazil nuts in nature, it is always the alpha male monkey who eats the most.
Selenium is also an essential nutrient for healthy thyroid function, which goes hand in hand with hormone regulation and a healthy metabolism. If you have low thyroid function, as is often the case with selenium deficiency, you are likely to struggle burning fat and have a lower than average body temperature.
A Potent Antioxidant
Many nuts contain high levels of PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids), which can promote oxidation and inflammation when consumed in excess amounts. What separates Brazil nuts from most other nuts is its high levels of Vitamin E (tocopherol) antioxidants which help balance out the adverse effects of PUFAs.
Not only that, but Vitamin E has been shown to contribute to healthier testosterone levels. Selenium also has antioxidant power in itself and can stabilize free radicals and keep them from roaming your body causing damage. Free radicals can contribute to cancer and premature aging, which I’m sure you’ll agree nobody wants.
Boosts Nitric Oxide
We all know the value of high testosterone levels to maintain high libido, but nitric oxide also plays an essential part in sexual function, namely, the hardness of your erections. Nitric oxide is a vasodilator that expands and relaxes your blood vessels, allowing for better blood flow.
Brazil nuts contain high amounts of the essential amino acid L-Arginine, which converts into nitric oxide in the body and hence increase blood flow. This also translates to more pump in the gym.
L-Arginine is popular as a supplement and has been shown in studies to be an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction.
The testosterone and blood flow boosting powers of Brazil nuts is the reason why these nuts are the best nuts, for YOUR nuts!
Precautions
Keep in mind that it is possible to overdose on selenium, which can have many uncomfortable side effects. Excess selenium has even been linked to increased risk of prostate cancer, as has a deficiency of selenium. Clearly, optimal levels of selenium are what you want.
The recommended maximum daily intake is 400mcg, and in studies side effects started to develop when approaching levels of 800mcg per day.
One brazil nut contains about 70-90mcg selenium, so keep your daily intake to 1-4 nuts at most. If you only consume them once every week, you can probably consume a few more in one go. Signs of acute selenium toxicity often start with intense nausea and vomiting, so if you consumed too many, you would notice it rather quickly.
We suggest you opt for organic brazil nuts, avoiding any potential pesticides which can make them do more harm than good.
Also if you have a nut allergy, be careful with Brazil nuts, they are likely not a good idea for you to consume. There are natural selenium supplements on the market that contain organic selenium that you can try instead.
Conclusion
Selenium has proven itself to be a rare trace mineral that can be very beneficial for male fertility and health. If you are looking for a portable t-boosting snack, Brazil nuts are about as good as it gets!
