Category Archives: Health

01.12.17
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Vitamin C Healthy Benefits

It’s cold and flu season now. Flu shots have been returning at local clinics and pharmacies. For preventative home care, many people turn to vitamin C to ward off colds and flus; this vitamin helps the immune system function at an optimum level. However, the benefits of vitamin C go beyond just helping fight off a cold. The vitamin is great to consume to maintain overall health in the body, because cells need vitamin C to work properly. Our bodies do not naturally produce the vitamin, so it’s important for us to consume this vitamin through our diet.

These are all benefits this vitamin provides for the body:

  • According to the Journal of American College of Nutrition, proper levels of Vitamin C helps the body burn more fat during exercise with up to a 30% difference between optimal and insufficient levels.
  • Vitamin C helps improve blood cell function and vascular relaxation, which can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, and lower blood pressure.
  • Vitamin C fights off cell-damaging free radicals in the body, which can help your body reduce inflammation.
  • This vitamin may enhance chemotherapy’s effect on cancer cells, and improves the quality of life in cancer patients.
  • This can help with cataracts, because it helps increase the blood supply to the ocular areas.
  • This vitamin has been known to help repair wounds in the body, because it helps the growth of connective tissues that speed up the healing process.
  • Low levels of this vitamin and diabetes are related; this vitamin helps the process of insulin and glucose in the body.
  • A disease associated with severe vitamin C deficiency is known as scurvy.

If you’re looking to improve your overall nutrition, besides just adding vitamin C, it’s best to talk to a doctor. Dr. Kordonowy offers the unique Biophotonic scanner to assess your body stores of certain antioxidants.  Dr. Kordonowy of Internal Medicine, Lipid & Wellness of Fort Myers provides dietary education services and counseling, as well. To book an appointment, click here or call 239-362-3005, ext. 200.

12.23.16
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When you have an ache or a pain, do you automatically reach for a pill?

pain relief

pain reliefConditioning has taken place in society and the media over the years repeatedly telling us that a pill is always the answer.

Have an ache or pain? Take a pill. That may get rid of your pain but it is likely to come back again. Medications do not cure, they cover the symptom temporarily giving you some relief. While there is nothing wrong with short-term use, it is more beneficial for overall health to seek out the cause so that you can cure yourself.

The human body is a finely tuned machine. It will tell you everything you need to know to maintain if you simply listen.

Learn to listen to your own body and tune into your intuition. When in a consultation getting health advice, take note of how you feel. Does what the practitioner is telling you feel true? You know your body better than anyone. If a diagnosis or suggestion for medical care doesn’t feel right there is nothing wrong with questioning or even getting a second opinion. Never make health care decisions that don’t feel right to you.

This is not to say that you should go it alone when it comes to health. There are many modalities of healthcare which can all assist you on your path back to good health, naturally.

Nutrition Specialists of Florida offer far more than just chiropractic and provide the finest care to each client. Please call 239-947-1177 to schedule an appointment or if you have any questions!

10.19.16
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Learn About Concierge Plans

Looking for quality time with your doctor to discuss medical issues? When you have a direct relationship with your doctor, he or she is in tune with your needs. This relationship is possible when you go to a concierge doctor.  Concierge services, like those provided by myself, Dr. Kordonowy of Internal Medicine, Lipid & Wellness of Fort Myers, offer patients personalized and unlimited access to the doctor. In my practice, I offer four different concierge memberships: basic, gold, premier, and platinum. Below, I will discuss the details of each plan, as well as the benefits of signing up for a concierge health plan.

Basic – The Basic concierge health plan is for patients ages 16 to 50 years old and costs $49 per month with a one-time enrollment fee of $150. With this service, the patient receives:

  • 3 office visits per year including a full physical examination annually.
  • Annual physical and comprehensive lab profile (this alone retails for more than 150 dollars).
  • Same day appointments one established.
  • Online access to medical records/results via a patient portal (private e-mail attached to your chart).
  • Online messaging with Dr. Kordonowy and nurses via the e-mail portal
  • Free after hour phone consults- my normal after hours call fee is waived for members.
  • Additional labs at highly discounted rates.
  • Annual seasonal flu vaccine.
  • Tetanus booster if indicated.
  • Body fat analysis.
  • Antioxidant score (biophotonic scan) annually.
  • My Remote monitoring dashboard

Gold – The Gold concierge health plan is for patients ages 50 to 65 years old and costs $89 per month with a one-time enrollment fee of $150. With this service, the patient receives:

  • Unlimited office visits.
  • Annual physical and comprehensive lab profile.
  • Same day appointments once established.
  • Online access to medical records/results via the patient e-mail portal.
  • Online messaging with Dr. Kordonowy and nurses via the patient e-mail portal.
  • Free after hour phone consults.
  • Additional labs at highly discounted rates.
  • Annual seasonal flu vaccine.
  • Vaccine boosters when needed – tetanus, Tdap.
  • Body fat analysis.
  • Antioxidant score (biophotonic scan).
  • Hospital Advocacy (Premier Inpatient Advocate Service™) available at an hourly rate
  • My Remote monitoring dashboard

Premier – $1,750 per year with no enrollment fee. This product is open to anyone interested and features the unique Inpatient Advocate Service™ Program. Dr. Kordonowy requires that all Medicare patients join the practice as Premier members. This membership plan is payment in exchange for services not covered by Medicare. With this service, the patient receives:

  • 24/7 direct phone access to Dr. Kordonowy’s private cell phone.
  • Same day appointments for established patients.
  • Online access to medical records/results.
  • Online messaging with Dr. Kordonowy and nurses via the e-mail portal.
  • Free after hour phone consults.
  • Concierge services not covered by Medicare.
  • Body fat analysis.
  • Antioxidant score (biophotonic scan).
  • Hospital Advocacy (Premier Inpatient Advocate Service™) -unlimited hours and 7 days a week visits while in the hospital. I have privileges at Health Park, Gulf Coast and Lee Downtown.
  • My Remote monitoring dashboard

Platinum – The Platinum concierge health plan is patients 16+ and costs $2,500 per year with no enrollment fee. With this service, the patient receives:

  • 24/7 direct phone access to Dr. Kordonowy’s private cell phone.
  • Same day appointments.
  • Unlimited office visits.
  • Annual physical and comprehensive lab profile.
  • Same day appointments.
  • Annual seasonal flu vaccine.
  • Vaccine boosters when needed.
  • Online access to medical records/results via the e-mail portal.
  • Online messaging with Dr. Kordonowy and nurses via the email portal.
  • Free after hour phone consults.
  • Cardiovascular stress test annually.
  • Advanced lipoprotein testing at highly discounted rates.
  • Concierge services not covered by Medicare
  • Three dietitian visits.
  • Body fat analysis.
  • Antioxidant score (biophotonic scan).
  • Hospital Advocacy (Premier Inpatient Advocate Service™) -unlimited hours with 7 day a week visits while in the hospital.
  • My Remote monitoring dashboard

Concierge plans and doctors provide a more comprehensive level of care to the patient. A concierge contract puts the patient back in charge of their care instead of insurance or government interference.  Spending the right amount of time with the patient while offer a high level of accessibility and service is the goal.  With more time and access to a doctor, a patient is able to fully and thoroughly discus symptoms, ask questions and discuss their issues and concerns. A long term relationship with your doctor allows them to understand the patient’s history, know “total person” and thus limit health risks from unnecessary testing and referrals.

If you’re looking for a high level of service from your doctor, a concierge doctor, like Dr. Kordonowy, may be right for you.  Concierge memberships are limited. To book a consult with Dr. Kordonowy or to discuss selecting a plan, call 239-363-3005, ext. 200 or click here.

09.28.16
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Immune System Boosting Foods

Germs and viruses are always around for people to pick up. To lower your risk of infection, wash your hands often, use hand sanitizers, keep your surroundings clean, get a flu shot and do not sharing drinks. Good hygiene isn’t the only way to keep away sickness.  If you focus on building a better immune system in your diet, your body will be on guard to fight off any sickness that comes its way.

Particular foods are known to keep your immune system strong. Your daily diet should be well rounded.  Do yourself and immune system a favor by adding the following foods into your diet daily.

Oysters – Oysters contain zinc, which has virus-fighting power to it. Zinc helps activate white blood cells. It also helps with healing wounds. Oysters also contain selenium, which helps white blood cells produce cytokines (proteins) that clear viruses out of the body.

Spinach – Spinach, which is full of folate, which helps the body make new cells and repair DNA.

Yogurt – Yogurt comes with probiotics (live, active cultures) which are healthy bacteria that keep the gut and intestines free from the attack of  germs .

Tea – Whether you prefer green, white, or black, tea is filled with polyphenols and flavonoids, which are known to fight off diseases. They are antioxidants that target cell-damaging free radicals and destroy them.

Sweet potatoes and carrots – These vegetables contain beta-carotene, which turns into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A gets rid of free radicals in the body and gives a boost to the immune system.

Broccoli – Broccoli is filled with vitamins A and C, along with antioxidants like glutathione, which all protect the body.

Citrus fruits – Grapefruit, oranges, lemons, limes, clementines, and tangerines are loaded with vitamin C, which fight infections by increasing the production of white blood cells in the body.

Other immunity-boosting foods: Red bell peppers, mushrooms, garlic, ginger, almonds, poultry, kiwi, shellfish, and  turmeric.

Food can be your medicine. With a diet rich in nutrient-dense food, you can  build a stronger immune system so that you find yourself getting sick less. If you need help with creating yourself a proper diet, contact Dr. Kordonowy of Internal Medicine, Lipid & Wellness in Fort Myers for a nutrition consultation. To book an appointment, call 239-362-3005, Ext. 200 or click here.

09.09.16
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Facts About Hypothyroidism

If you’re struggling to lose weight or have trouble sleeping,  you could have an underlying condition: an underactive thyroid, also known as hypothyroidism.

In a survey, between 0.1-2 percent of the U.S. population have hypothyroidism.  Some data says up to 12% of people will develop a thyroid condition in their life. Around 20 million Americans have some form of a thyroid disease.  With woman, it’s even more common to have a thyroid problem- five to eight times more likely.

Below, I will discuss some basics about hypothyroidism. Not everyone experiences the same thing from this thyroid disease. It’s best to talk to your doctor about your concerns to properly diagnose your issues.

When a person has hypothyroidism, his or her body doesn’t produce enough of thyroxine. This is a chemical produced by the thyroid gland, and it regulates cellular metabolism.  Right now in the United States, one common cause of this disorder is inflammation of the thyroid gland. A chronic attack of the thyroid cells by the immune system leaves a large number of cells in the thyroid damaged or even dead and incapable of producing sufficient active hormone.

Primary hypothyroidism is when there is an insufficient amount of thyroxine by the thyroid gland.  Most cases of hypothyroidism are primar. Secondary hypothyroidism is the result of a pituitary disorder.

Other causes of hypothyroidism are: iodine deficiency, thyroid surgery, radiation therapy, and medications like lithium.

This disorder presents itself in a variety of different ways in people ranging from little to no symptoms to severe cases that lead to comas and organ failure. Symptoms develop slowly over many years. If hypothyroidism isn’t untreated, symptoms can worsen. Physical changes that can occur include having a puffy face, thinning eyebrows, hoarseness, thickened skin, and trouble with tasting and smelling and slow reflexes.

Common symptoms include: fatigue, memory problems, hair loss, infertility, depression, constipation, high cholesterol, weight gain, dry hair, infertility, changes in the menstrual cycle, dry hair, weakness, and dry skin.

Doctors test the blood for the thyroid function and the stimulation hormone for thyroid to see if a person has hypothyroidism. Metabolism, which is the main function of the thyroid hormone, can be measured by quantifying the amount of expired carbon dioxide a person produces over time.  Dr. Kordonowy uses a machine called the Metabolic ReeVue to measure this. The treatment required is taking oral thyroid hormone replacement. The usual treatment includes daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine.

For most people, treatment successfully relieves this disorder’s systems.  Oral medication restores hormone levels to reverse symptoms of hypothyroidism. Blood testing is required to determine the correct dose for each individual patient.  Patients start to notice differences after one to two weeks . Treatment is usually lifelong.

If you are experiencing symptoms of this disorder, contact Dr. Kordonowy of Internal Medicine, Lipid & Wellness of Fort Myers. His office offers dietary consults and can test for hypothyroidism. To book an appointment, call 239-362-3005, Ext. 200 or click here.

08.31.16
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The Benefits of Using Sunscreen

Florida is the Sunshine State, but with that comes a lot exposure to the sun. Floridians, snowbirds, and tourists love the state for its sunshine and warm weather. However, too much sun exposure can be dangerous. Overexposure to the sun creates oxidative radicals in a person’s skin tissue. The result? Premature wrinkles and aging of the skin, painful sunburns, and skin cancer. Below, I will discuss the importance of safety in the sun, which includes using sunscreen.

Living in a sunny climate places a person at a higher risk of developing melanoma. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. In 2015, it was estimated 73,000 Americans were to be diagnosed with melanoma.  Long sun exposure and a few sunburns in your lifetime increases your risk of developing melanoma.

The sunlight contains ultraviolet rays,  UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA rays are emitted all day and are the ones that contribute to skin cancer; UVB rays are the most intense from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – these rays are the ones that are known to cause sunburns; and UVC rays do not reach the Earth’s surface.

Regardless of your complexion, it is recommended to wear sunscreen if prolonged exposure to the sun is anticipated. Cancer doesn’t discriminate based on skin shade, so protecting yourself from the sun’s rays is critical.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends everyone uses sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Topical sunscreens offer a physical barrier/blocker of the sun’s UV radiation. The strength of protection of SPF 30 or higher is endorsed. Using the Biophotonic™ Scan offered in Dr. Kordonowy’s office, the amount of protective antioxidants derived from your vegetables and fruit in your skin can be measured.

It’s good to use sunscreen on a cloudy day, up to 8 percent of the sun’s rays can still penetrate your skin. Sunscreen should be applied to skin 15-30 minutes before heading outdoors, so the skin can absorb it. One ounce of sunscreen is the suggested amount to use over the body. Sunscreen should be applied  every two hours.

People have written about sunscreen not being safe for a person’s skin because of certain chemicals, but is it believed the benefits that sunscreen provides (preventing sunburn and skin cancer) beats out the not-yet proven claims of toxicity on the body. No one has died yet from sunscreen chemicals, but many people die each year from melanoma.

One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their life. With high odds, it’s in your best interest to protect yourself from developing this type of cancer. If you have any concerns  or looking for a doctor in the area, contact Dr. Kordonowy of Internal Medicine, Lipid & Wellness in Fort Myers by clicking here or calling 239-362-3005, Ext. 200.