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.