Category Archives: Nutrition

04.05.17
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The truth about Salt

Including salt in your diet, for the average person, is just fine. We need sodium to be able to function properly. Moderation is key. Too much or too little can have negative effects.

What is salt’s role in our health?

Salt helps to maintain the electrical charge in cells It also distributes fluids. The nervous system requires it to function. Dietary salt also helps promote proper muscle function and movement.  In the intestines, sodium helps the body absorb chloride, amino acids,

It can also promote proper muscle function and movement.

On average you only need to replace about 2,000 milligrams of sodium each day.

The American Heart Association reports the average American takes in around 3,436 milligrams per day – far more than needed, which can lead to issues over time.

Too Much Salt:

  • Possibility of raised blood pressure
  • Brain tells you that your thirsty because of the increased salt in the body.
  • Kidneys try to rid the body of excess salt through urine.
  • Elevated blood pressure from too much salt can lead to an enlarged heart.
  • Extra pressure on the heart because of the presence of excess water in the blood.
  • Water retention and bloating.

Too Little Sodium

  • Nausea, vomiting, upset stomach.
  • Loss of proper muscle control.
  • Muscle weakness.
  • Disorientation, seizures, brain damage.
  • Headache.
  • Cerebral edema (brain swelling).

Track your daily sodium by following serving information on food labels which also list the amount of sodium per serving.

If you’re experiencing any symptoms consult a doctor to determine what the cause could be. Dr. Kordonowy of Internal Medicine, Lipid, & Wellness in Fort Myers can give you a dietary assessment and determine what amount of dietary salt you should be ingesting. To book an appointment with Dr. Kordonowy, click here or call 239-362-3006, ext. 200. Or to find a doctor in your area visit www.ipalc.org/find.

01.25.17
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Don’t Fear Fat because it Doesn’t Make You Fat!

fat

Fat doesn’t make you fat. Many nutritious foods out there are high in fat actually. The human body needs fat; it gives us energy, builds cell membranes, helps with blood clotting and muscle movement, reduces inflammation, and helps us absorb some vitamins and minerals. Fats are both  “good” and “bad.”  Good fats are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, bad fats are man-made trans fats, and saturated fats fall in between.

Dietary fat can actually help people lose weight, because fat can help a person fill fuller for longer, so a person potentially is consuming less calories. When a person eats fat, it also slows the entry of glucose into the blood, which helps moderate sugar levels.

Here is some information about the different kinds of fats:

Monounsaturated Fats –  These fats are found in avocados, olive oil, peanut oil, most nuts, canola oil, sunflower oil, and high-oleic oil.

Polyunsaturated Fats – These fats are essential fats, and the body requires them for normal bodily functions; the body can’t produce these fats. Essential fats must be eaten. Polyunsaturated fats can reduce (slightly) LDL cholesterol. Polyunsaturated fats can be found in salmon, herring, sardines, sunflower, safflower, soybean, flaxseed, cottonseed, corn, sesame and, grape-seed oils.

Trans Fats – This type  is associated with elevating LDL cholesterol, as well as HDL cholesterol in the blood.  T

Saturated Fats – These fats a are found in red meat, whole milk, cheese, and coconut oil.  Often baked processed and packaged foods are heavy in saturated (and trans) fat. Too much saturated fat in one’s diet can raise cholesterol (both LDL and HDL).  It is recommended that saturated fat is limited to 10 percent of the day’s caloric intake.

Want more control of your diet? Contact Dr. Kordonowy of Internal Medicine, Lipid & Wellness in Fort Myers today. Dr. Kordonowy offers dietary counseling and  weight loss strategies. To book an appointment, click here or call 239-362-3005, ext. 200.

01.25.17
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Heavy Metal Poisoning – Symptoms may mimic other issues

toxicity

toxicityFatigueHeavy metal poisoning is not always the first thought for a possible diagnosis. Symptoms can be subtle and can mimic other diseases and health problems.

If symptoms come on suddenly and severely – it may be from an immediate and strong exposure. It would be considered “acute”.

Sudden onset from immediate exposure can result in –

  • Headache
  • Vomiting
  • Severe cramping
  • Severe convulsions
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Nausea
  • Impaired motor skills
  • Sweating
  • Impaired cognitive skills

Please seek medical attention immediately if you are experiencing any of the above.

If it were to build up over time slowly due to constant exposure you would have what is known as chronic metal toxicity.

It can present as –

  • Fatigue
  • Depression
  • Digestive issues
  • Aching joints
  • Reproductive issues
  • Impaired blood sugar 
  • Chronic headaches
  • Tearing eye or eyes

Possible sources of metals can include:

  • Fluoride – in the drinking water and in dental products 
  • Insecticides & Herbicides – can contain metals and other toxins
  • Vaccinations – mercury and aluminum 
  • Cosmetics – contain aluminum bases which can also contribute to Alzheimer’s
  • Dental work – Silver amalgam fillings, as well as any dental work that contains metal alloy, can contribute to toxicity. 
  • Smoking – possibility of cadmium poisoning
  • Buy only high-quality supplements – some colloidal silvers can lead to silver poisoning and other supplements can be high in lead, mercury, and can contain metals arsenic.
  • Conventional Household Cleaning Products – can contain metals and other toxins
  • Cookware – (beware aluminum and nonstick cookware)
  • Costume Jewelry – if you are sensitive to metals
  • The Food You Eat – Metals can come from pesticides, herbicides, soil, rain, air exposure, and processing.

Metal toxicity may sound like a far-reaching diagnosis but we are all exposed to possible contaminants.

If you aren’t feeling well and cannot find an explanation, seek professional assistance. Unchecked heavy metal toxicity can lead to permanent damage to the body and organs. Get back in balance and back to health with Nutrition Specialists of Florida by calling 239-947-1177. www.bonitaspringschiropractor.com

01.12.17
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Acid Reflux Facts

Put a little extra spicy sauce on your dinner? Or, did you overate last night? There’s a good chance you may feel like your breathing fire right now. Suffering from heartburn with that burning sensation in your chest is no fun. Nearly everyone experiences heartburn in their life. However, if you’ve been experiencing heartburn at least twice a week for multiple weeks, there’s a good chance you have acid reflux disease.  In the US, about 10 to 20 percent of the population suffers from this disease. More than 60 million Americans suffer from heartburn at least once a month. Not only is this a horrible disease to physically deal with, but $40 billion annually is spent on diagnosing and treating the disease.

There are two types of acid reflux disease: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD). With GERD, the stomach acid travels to the esophagus and with LPRD the refluxed material travels further up the throat. Most people will experience heartburn when the lining of the esophagus encounters too much stomach acid for a prolonged period.  The resulting tissue inflammation of the esophagus causes the burning sensation. Chronic acid reflux is associated with abnormal cellular/tissue changes that over time increased the risk of esophageal cancer.  This “precancerous” tissue change is known as Barrett’s Esophagus/Disease. This concern/development is one of the reasons physicians will recommend a referral to a gastroenterologist for direct endoscopy of the esophagus for new onset and significant chronic heart burn.

Chronic reflux can lead to persistent cough, night time sleep difficulty, hoarseness of the voice and scarring or stricture of the esophagus.  The primary symptom of stricture or blockage/tumor in the esophagus is a sensation or actual experience of food or pills getting “stuck” in the chest.  Left unattended over time this can result in an emergency known as food bolus impaction- a very dramatic emergency due to intense pain/lodging of food and intense salivation as normal saliva can’t get down into the stomach.

Chest pain: Often, people experience chest pain from the stomach acid splashing into the esophagus. This type of chest pain can sometimes be mistaken for a heart attack. If you have chest pain, do not ignore it and contact a doctor for evaluation.

Pain when lying down: When you lay down, acid can better leave the stomach and enter the esophagus. If you’re experiencing heart burn, try angling your back in bed, and avoid a big meal or fluids before bedtime.

Pain from Eating: When a person with acid reflux eats a big meal, the stomach pushes the contents up, which causes heart burn. To avoid this, avoid big fat-filled meals and watch alcohol and tobacco intake. Alcohol, caffeine, chocolate and nicotine/smoking decrease the muscle tone of the lower esophagus which promotes refluxing of stomach contents/acid.

Bitter taste in the mouth: When the acid is released upward from the stomach, it can land in the back of your throat and leave a bitter taste in your mouth. Sometimes, this bitter taste can cause people to choke.

Other symptoms: Coughing, hoarseness, sore throat, nausea, asthma, trouble swallowing, pain in the chest with eating, and extra saliva.

There are quite a few treatment options for acid reflux. For minor cases, avoiding certain food and beverages (chocolate, coffee, greasy or spicy foods, alcohol) will help reduce heartburn. Also, cutting back or stopping smoking, reducing weight, and taking over-the-counter medications can help.

For more serious cases, a person should talk to his or her doctor about symptoms; the heartburn could be a sign of another possible condition, or stronger prescription medication may be needed. As noted earlier if the problem is significant and especially if the sensation of food getting stuck is noted a direct endoscopy by a specialist is recommended.

If you’re suffering from acid reflux or heart burn and unable to manage it, it’s time to contact a doctor. Dr. Kordonowy of Internal Medicine, Lipid & Wellness of Fort Myers can diagnose and treat you for your symptoms. Don’t deal with the pain anymore and call 239-362-3005, ext. 200 or click here to book an appointment.

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!

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.

08.15.16
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FDA Releases New Nutrition Label

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the new Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods back on May 20th. The current nutrition label is more than 20 years old. The FDA felt the change was needed so that consumers can have the most accurate nutritional and serving information about the food.  Food and beverage manufacturers have until July 26, 2018 to comply with these new changes.

The new label was created to reflect new scientific information. The purpose of the new label is to make it easier for consumers to make better food choices.

The major changes to the label i are modifying the list of required nutrients on the label, updated serving size requirements, and a new design.

The biggest change to the nutrition label is its appearance. The general look of the label is the same, but the changes were made so consumers could read certain components of the label easier.  The type size was increased for “Calories,” “servings per container” and the “serving size.”  The type was  bolded for the calories and “serving size.”

The label must now show the actual amount and percent daily value of vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium. Manufacturers have the option to declare the amount for other vitamins and minerals.  At the bottom of the label, the footnote has been rewritten to better explain what percent Daily Value means.  It will read “The % Daily Values tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet of 2,000 calories.”   The diet is based on 2000 calories eaten in a day .

Here are some other updates to the nutrition label:

  • “Added sugars” in grams as a percent daily value will be included. It is hard to meet nutrition requirements if you eat more than 10% of your calories from added sugars.
  • Vitamin D and potassium will be required on the label, along with calcium and iron.
  • “Calories from Fat” is being removed from the label, because research revealed that this type of fat is more important than the amount. “Total Fat,” “Saturated Fat,” and “Trans Fat” will still be required.
  • Serving sizes must be based on amounts of food and drinks that people actually consume, not what “looks acceptable as determined by the manufacturer.”  The Nutrition Labeling and Education Act  requires that serving sizes be based on what people actually eat in a typical setting or serving.
  • Package size affects what people eat. Serving sizes will better reflect how people typically eat at one time.
  • For products with  more than a single serving, manufacturers will provide a “dual column” label to indicated the calories and amount of nutrients in both a serving and in the entire package.

Nutrition labels are just a guideline. The portion size you need as an individual varies based on a variety of factors (medical history, height, weight, gender, metabolism, diseases, disorders, etc.). If you need help with your diet, it’s best to talk to a health professional. Contact Dr. Kordonowy of Internal Medicine, Lipid & Wellness in Fort Myers for a nutrition consult. To schedule an appointment, call 239-362-3005, Ext. 200 or click here.