On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Katherine Zeratsky, a registered dietitian and nutritionist at Mayo Clinic, will discuss juicing, lectins and other diet trends. Also on the program, Dr. Fouad Chebib, a nephrologist at Mayo Clinic, will explain polycystic kidney disease. And Dr. Dawn Davis, a dermatologist at Mayo Clinic, will discuss diseases of the hair.

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On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Katherine Zeratsky, a registered dietitian and nutritionist at Mayo Clinic, will discuss juicing, lectins and other diet trends. Also on the program, Dr. Fouad Chebib, a nephrologist at Mayo Clinic, will explain polycystic kidney disease. And Dr. Dawn Davis, a dermatologist at Mayo Clinic, will discuss diseases of the hair.

To hear the program, find an affiliate in your area.

Use the hashtag #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Access archived shows or subscribe to the podcast.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Are there health benefits to juicing? appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Katherine Zeratsky, a registered dietitian and nutritionist at Mayo Clinic, will discuss juicing, lectins and other diet trends. Also on the program, Dr. Fouad Chebib, a nephrologist at Mayo Clinic, will explain polycystic kidney disease. And Dr. Dawn Davis, a dermatologist at Mayo Clinic, will discuss diseases of the hair.

To hear the program, find an affiliate in your area.

Miss the show?  Here's you Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

Use the hashtag #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Access archived shows or subscribe to the podcast.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Juicing and lectins / polycystic kidney disease / diseases of the hair appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

ANSWER: Juicing — extracting the juice from fresh fruits and vegetables — can be a good way to add nutrients to your diet. If you struggle to eat the recommended five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day, juicing can help you get there.

The good news is that the juice contains most of the vitamins, minerals and plant chemicals (phytonutrients) found in whole fruit. Juicing also may help you incorporate a broader variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet, such as kale, spinach or tropical fruits.

However, juice shouldn’t be the only way to get these nutrients. Whole fruits and vegetables also contain healthy fiber, much of which is lost during juicing — especially if the skin and pulp are removed. Dietary fiber not only aids in digestion, but also may improve blood cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease. Fiber also helps you feel full, which can help with weight control.

Some promote juicing as a quick way to lose weight. However, a diet containing only fruits and vegetables isn’t balanced. Be sure you’re also meeting your needs for fiber, protein, calcium, iron and healthy fats. You can do this by incorporating juicing into a healthy-eating plan that includes various whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean protein sources, and whole fruits and vegetables.

While juicing in moderation is generally healthy, certain types of juice may not be appropriate for everyone. A juice made of mostly fruits can be high in carbohydrates and sugars, which can influence blood sugar levels. For people with kidney disease, fruits that are high in potassium, such as melons and bananas, can cause complications and may need to be avoided.

Juicing also can be a significant source of calories, depending on the contents and the portion size you consume. Without the fiber to keep you feeling full, you may find that you’re hungry sooner. Add these up, and you have a recipe for potential weight gain if not kept in check.

Here are steps you can take to make sure your juice is as healthy as possible:

• Limit added sugars.
  Some juice recipes call for sugar, honey, syrup or other added sweeteners. Since the typical American diet already includes an overabundance of added sugars, try to eliminate or minimize these additions. Added sugars contribute to calories and weight gain. They’re especially common in store-bought fruit drinks.
• Consider blending.
  Rather than extracting juice, blending the edible parts of fruits produces a drink that contains more fiber and other healthy nutrients. If the result is too thick, add a little water.
• Handle produce safely.
  Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before use. Even if you plan to peel the produce, wash it first, so that dirt and bacteria aren’t transferred. Take extra caution with precut fruits and vegetables, and any kind of sprout, which are more likely to harbor dangerous bacteria such as E. coli.
• Use the pulp elsewhere.
  Try adding the leftover pulp from your juicing to soups or baked goods to increase the fiber in your diet.
• Opt for pasteurized juice.
  When buying juice from a store, choose a pasteurized juice when possible to prevent the likelihood of foodborne illness. Most juice sold in stores is pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria. Refrigerate products that aren’t pasteurized. These products are required to carry a warning label. Since juice sold in restaurants isn’t subject to the same labeling, don’t hesitate to ask if you’re unsure if the product has been pasteurized.

If you’re not sure whether juicing is a healthy option for you, talk to your health care provider or a dietitian. (adapted from Mayo Clinic Health Letter) — Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., Endocrinology/Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

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Need practical advice on diet and exercise? Want creative solutions for stress and other lifestyle issues? Discover more healthy lifestyle topics at mayoclinic.org.

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On this week’s Mayo Clinic Radio: fixing a broken heart. Cardiac regeneration uses the body’s own stem cells to repair damage done by heart disease, Mayo Clinic cardiologist Dr. Atta Behfar explains. Also, Mayo Clinic registered dietitian Katherine Zeratsky explains the risks of juice-only diets. Plus, nicotine dependency expert Dr. Richard Hurt joins the program to discuss results of a new study about the stop-smoking drug varenicline (Chantix). 

Myth or Matter-of-Fact: Cardiac regeneration may someday replace the need for surgery to repair heart damage.

Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeart Radio.

Click here to listen to the program on Saturday, February 7, at 9:05 a.m. and follow #MayoClinicRadio.

Listen to this week’s Medical News Headlines: News Seg Feb 21, 2015 (right click MP3)

To find and listen to archived shows, click here.

Mayo Clinic Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic. The show is taped for rebroadcast by some affiliates.

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Myth or Matter-of-Fact: Cardiac regeneration may someday replace the need for surgery to repair heart damage.

To listen to the program at 9 a.m. Saturday, February 21, click here.

Follow #MayoClinicRadio and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeartRadio.

Mayo Clinic Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

To find and listen to archived shows, click here.

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