Who doesn’t want to be that little bit healthier? Especially if improving your health involves minimal effort. With this in mind we’ve made it our mission to bring you news each week of a product, a foodstuff, an exercise technique or a pill that promises potentially magical health-giving properties.

By Frank McCann

This week’s magic ingredient: Flaxseed.

Not to be confused with:Breastfeed, Lou Reed, or Pearl Jam wannabes Creed.

Seeds? I’m not a chicken! Where have you been? Seeds are extremely popular today, with health stores selling several different types. There is a seed to suit everybody.

Well if there are so many, what makes the flaxseed so great? Ok. Here comes the science bit. Flaxseed contains high amounts of alpha linolenic acids, which is rich in omega 3 fatty acids. These acids are the same ones you would find in fish such as salmon. We all know salmon is good for you, right?

Well, that’s a good start. But is it good for anything else? Well, without getting into too much detail, eating flaxseeds is an excellent way of keeping you regular. Those little seeds provide enough fibre to guarantee that you’ll never be struggling for that elusive number two. We’ll leave it there, yes?

Hmmm…I’ll keep that in mind. I’m getting interested. Can flaxseed prevent any diseases? Of course it can. It’s a super seed! The fibre provided in flax is an excellent way of lowering blood pressure, which will lower the chances of suffering from heart disease, the number one cause of death in Ireland. Flaxseed can also moderate the release of glucose into the bloodstream. The fiber provided helps fight against diabetes, a disease that can sometimes cause erectile dysfunction.

I'd rather avoid that last one alright. How about for losing weight? Can flaxseed help me in that department? It can play some part, yes. The essential fatty acids contained in flax can speed up your metabolism, which will help you to burn off unhealthy fats quicker. Your metabolic rate slows downas you get older, so eating flaxseed is like a way to keep you younger!

Is there a difference between flaxseeds and flaxseed oil? There is indeed. Flaxseed oil is a concentrated source of alpha linolenic acid, while the seeds are completely natural. We recommend the seeds rather than the oil.

Excellent! Would you recommend recipe for a flaxseed smoothie? Try this one:

• 1 Banana
• 1/2 cup of natural yogurt
• 2 tablespoons of flaxseed
• 3 scoops of watermelon
• 2 tablespoons of peanut butter

If you don’t like peanut butter, it still tastes great without it. Mix that up, and get it into you. Delicious!