- With Mayo Clinic cardiologist
Thomas Behrenbeck, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Thomas Behrenbeck, M.D.
Thomas Behrenbeck, M.D.
Dr. Thomas Behrenbeck is a native of Germany, where he received his medical education at the Westfalian Wilhelm University in Munster and became board certified in internal medicine and cardiology.
He also received a Ph.D. in biophysics and physiology at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Behrenbeck joined the Mayo Clinic staff in 1990 and is currently an associate professor at Mayo Medical School and an academic faculty member at the Westfalian Wilhelm University. He is chair of the Cardiovascular Medicine and Surgery NetWork of the American College of Chest Physicians.
Dr. Behrenbeck is a noninvasive cardiologist, specializing in cardiovascular (CV) imaging modalities (echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, and CT), coronary artery disease and prevention of coronary artery disease. His research interests are the application of imaging technology to early recognition and treatment of atherosclerosis. He is passionate about patients' involvement in their health issues.
"The Internet and patient education present ideal synergies in the ever-growing field of knowledge in cardiology," he said.
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Question
Noni juice: Can it reduce cholesterol?
I've heard that drinking noni juice may lower my cholesterol. Is this true?
Answer
from Thomas Behrenbeck, M.D.
There's no evidence that noni juice reduces cholesterol. Noni juice, which is made from a fruit (Morinda citrifolia) grown in the Asia-Pacific region, has gained popularity as a tonic for everything from arthritis and depression to heart disease and cancer. But there's insufficient reliable data about its effectiveness in treating any of these conditions.
As with many fruits, the noni fruit is a source of vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants. Antioxidants appear to protect the body from age-related changes and certain diseases. Although the juice has an unpleasant taste and odor, it is generally safe to drink. However, noni juice is high in potassium. For this reason, it should be used with caution — if at all — in people with chronic kidney disease or who take potassium-sparing diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) because it could cause dangerously elevated blood levels of potassium (hyperkalemia).
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