Should I add oil to my daily smoothie?

* I juice three to four carrots with apple and ginger, sometimes beetroot, most days.

Recently, I read on a website that the liver finds it difficult to process carrot juice unless it’s taken with oil. I am now taking about a tablespoon of organic extra virgin oil in my juice. Is this okay? Also, I was always led to believe that all citrus fruits and juices were bad for arthritis. However, in anything I’ve read there is no mention of this. What should I do?

>> The long-held belief that citrus fruits will aggravate arthritis doesn’t have scientific backing, in fact many nutritionists are concerned that people who cut out citrus are losing out on the wonderful healing and anti-inflammatory benefits of the high levels of vitamin C found in this group of fruits. Grapefruit does interact with certain medications — so it may be worth checking with your doctor about any prescription meds you are taking.

Other popular arthritis food myths include avoiding foods from the nightshade family (such as tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants), soaking raisins in gin; and putting salt in your shoes to draw moisture from your bones and joints.

Your choice of taking olive oil in your juice is a wise one — olive oil has long been used for health benefits, and there are many vitamins that are oil soluble that we miss out on when we take juices and fruit/vegetable smoothies without a healthy fat component.

Extra virgin olive oil has been shown to support liver health and protect it against the effects of oxidative stress.

Another way of getting in the healthy fats is to add soaked chia seeds, which will also help reduce inflammation.

Carrot is one of the juices commonly prescribed by naturopaths and nutritional healers as a means of detoxifying the liver.

Taking more than four glasses of carrot juice daily could result in significant elimination symptoms as toxins are mobilised into the bloodstream, although this is considerably less than the amount that you are currently taking.

If you know that your liver is functioning well, it should cope easily with your daily juices; if you have liver or kidney problems, then you should consult a health professional before undertaking any sort of juicing or detoxification programme.

* I suffer from rhinitis. My doctor has prescribed Telfast and Avamys nasal spray. I have been on this treatment now for nearly a year but there has been no obvious improvement. Can you help?

>> Rhinitis is one of those persistent conditions that can absolutely wear you down, and sometimes it seems as if there is nothing that will help. Oily fish or a fish oil supplement can reduce the inflammatory response, and for those who don’t take fish, try evening primrose, borage, flaxseed, or blackcurrant oils — all rich in Gamma Linoleic Acid (GLA).

Besides ensuring that you are getting a diet rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids, you might also want to look into a couple of ancient techniques and remedies.

Trikatu is an Ayurvedic remedy which blends three spices, ginger, long pepper, and black pepper. This combination has a natural affinity for the respiratory system, and can help to clear mucous and phlegm from the nasal cavities and lungs.

My other recommendation is acupuncture. Used alongside herbal medicine and nutritional recommendations as a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine practice, studies have shown that acupuncture treatment for allergic rhinitis may have the same benefits as prescription antihistamines, but with longer lasting effects.