Evidence supporting the use of: Brazil nut
For the health condition: Metabolic Syndrome
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa) are notable for their exceptionally high selenium content, which has drawn scientific interest for their potential effects on metabolic health, including Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). Several small-scale clinical studies and observational research have investigated whether Brazil nut supplementation can improve markers associated with MetS, such as inflammation, lipid profiles, and insulin sensitivity. For example, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in obese women showed that daily consumption of Brazil nuts improved lipid profiles by increasing HDL cholesterol and reducing LDL cholesterol levels. Other research indicates that selenium from Brazil nuts may help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, factors linked to MetS pathogenesis. However, the overall body of evidence remains limited, with most studies being short-term, involving small cohorts, and sometimes using Brazil nut supplementation at doses that could risk selenium toxicity with long-term use. There are no large-scale, long-term RCTs definitively confirming their efficacy or safety for MetS management. Furthermore, while the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are scientifically plausible mechanisms, clinical significance in broader populations is not well established. In summary, there is emerging scientific evidence suggesting Brazil nuts may beneficially influence certain metabolic risk factors, but the level of evidence is still preliminary (rated 2/5), and their use should be approached with caution due to potential selenium excess.
Other ingredients used for Metabolic Syndrome
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)7-Keto-DHEA
acai berry
akkermansia muciniphila
algal oil
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
anchovies
anthocyanins
asparagus
bacillus subtilis
banaba
barley
berberine
Beta-Glucan
beta-sitosterol
bifidobacterium longum
bitter melon
black garlic
blueberry
brussel sprouts
butyrate triglyceride
campesterol
camu camu
canola oil
caterpillar mushroom
chia seed
chokeberry
chromium
cinnamon
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
turmeric
curcumin
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fisetin
flaxseed
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
ginger
glucomannan
guar gum
hydroxycitric acid
inulin
krill oil
l-carnitine
lactobacillus helveticus
licorice root
mackerel
maitake mushroom
maqui berry
matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
moringa
naringin
nicotinamide riboside
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-7 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
oyster mushroom
palmitoleic acid
quinoa
red yeast rice
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rye
sardines
spirulina
tocotrienols
trans-pterostilbene
Urolithin A
vanadium
vanadyl sulfate
vitamin C
vitamin D
wheat grass
whey protein
xylooligosaccharides
zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
algae
kidney beans
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
1-deoxynojirimycin
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
12-methylcarnosic acid
3-desoxy-7-KETO-DHEA
4-hydroxyisoleucine
5,7-Dimethoxyflavone
6-Paradol
Alpha Glucans
Ankaflavin
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Antrodia camphorata
Auricularia
Antirrhinin
Avocado
Ascophyllum nodosum
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
anthocyanidins
Ampelopsin
Alpha phytosterol
Algal protein
Arabinoxylan
alpha Methyl Tetradecylthioacetic Acid
Arjunolic acid
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Blakeslea trispora
Bean
Betanin
Brazil nut
Charantin
California chia
Cardarine
Cyanobacteria
Capsinoids
Cyanidin
chlorogenic acid
Capsiate
Chitin-Glucan Complex
Calanus finmarchicus
Crocetin
Cynaropicrin
Cystoseira canariensis
corosolic acid
Crypthecodinium
Carnosic acid
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Dunaliella
Dihydrocapsiate
Dragon Fruit
Dihydrolipoic Acid
D-Pinitol
Diosgenin
Ergothioneine
Ecklonia
peanut
Pistachio
Other health conditions supported by Brazil nut
Cancer (prevention)Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Diabetes
Free Radical Damage
Hypertension
Inflammation
Metabolic Syndrome
Triglycerides (high)