Brazil chestnuts and Brazil nuts are excellent sources of intact protein and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin E and B complexes, and minerals such as selenium, zinc, copper and manganese. This is a gluten-free food, which is usually used as a wheat substitute for celiac patients. Brazil nuts help to lower low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) and raise high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol) in the blood, which helps to reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. Brazil nut is also the best natural source of selenium, which makes it the best food to strengthen the immune system and the ideal food to help reduce the risk of breast cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer. Selenium is very important for thyroid function and prevention of coagulation and coronary artery disease. Brazil nuts are the perfect food for athletes and people who want to improve their strength and endurance. They are also beneficial to neurological and cognitive health, because they can help improve memory and neurological function. For thousands of years, Brazil nut oil has been used as a medicine to treat skin problems, such as chapped skin, calluses, rashes, burns, abrasions, eczema and psoriasis. Brazil nut oil is also commonly used as base oil for aromatherapy and massage therapy.