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By Dr. Adam Abodeely, MD, FACS, FASCRS, MBA, CEO of Coral Cove Wellness Resort April 17, 2025 Have you ever noticed black pepper extract listed on a supplement label and wondered why it’s there? When you think of black pepper, you might immediately imagine it as the unmistakable seasoning for a perfect plate of pasta or a hearty soup. However, black pepper ( Piper nigrum ) is more than just the "King of Spices." This humble kitchen staple has found its way into the world of wellness, particularly in oral supplements, and for good reason. Beyond its culinary fame, black pepper possesses significant health benefits and functions as an exceptional enhancer for nutrient absorption. Let's explore why black pepper has become a favored ingredient in countless supplements today. Why Black Pepper is a Supplement Superstar A Master of Absorption The amount of a nutrient which is absorbed into the circulation for your body to use is known as bioavailability . It’s a crucial factor in determining how effective a supplement or medication will be. Think of it this way: even if you take a high dose of a nutrient, your body might only absorb a fraction of it due to the body’s natural metabolic processes or other biological barriers. Black pepper, particularly its active compound piperine , has garnered attention because it can significantly enhance bioavailability, helping your body fully utilize the nutrients you consume. Piperine works in several remarkable ways to improve absorption and maximize the benefits of supplements. First , it inhibits certain metabolic enzymes in the liver and intestinal tract, such as cytochrome P450 enzymes, which typically break down active ingredients. By slowing this breakdown, piperine allows nutrients to remain in your system longer, increasing the chance of their absorption. Second , piperine stimulates thermogenesis, a process that generates heat and energy in the body’s epithelial cells. This activity boosts the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine by enhancing cell membrane fluidity, making it easier for nutrients to pass through. Third , piperine can inhibit efflux transporters. These are protein pumps responsible for expelling foreign substances, including some nutrients and drugs, from the cells lining your digestive system. By blocking these pumps, piperine ensures that more of the valuable compounds stay in the system and are utilized efficiently. Fourth , piperine enhances the transport of nutrients across intestinal cells. This may involve modulation of receptors or channels that facilitate nutrient uptake, although the precise mechanisms are still being studied. Finally , piperine can interact synergistically with nutrients like curcumin (from turmeric) or vitamins by forming stable complexes. These can protect nutrients from degradation during digestion, further improving absorption. By leveraging these unique biological pathways, piperine ensures that the supplements and nutrients you take achieve their full potential in promoting your health and wellness. For example, studies have revealed that piperine can enhance the bioavailability of curcumin (the active compound in turmeric) by up to 2000%! Curcumin alone boasts potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties but is notoriously difficult for our bodies to absorb. This dynamic pairing is now a staple in holistic wellness, with supplements combining both compounds to promote joint health, reduce chronic inflammation, and combat oxidative stress. Similarly, iron supplements can achieve higher efficiency and effectiveness when combined with black pepper. Research has demonstrated that the presence of piperine promotes optimal iron absorption, aiding in the management of iron deficiency anemia. Other compounds that benefit from piperine include resveratrol, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and Coenzyme Q10. Nutraceuticals often include black pepper extract, branded as BioPerine®, for its thermogenic and bioavailability-enhancing properties, making it a crucial ingredient in multivitamins, weight management supplements, and herbal formulations.

By Dr. Adam Abodeely, MD, FACS, FASCRS, MBA, CEO of Coral Cove Wellness Resort Within the world of holistic health and wellness, few remedies capture the imagination and potential like adaptogens. These incredible plant-based allies are celebrated for their ability to help the body find balance amidst the chaos of modern life. Whether you're seeking to manage stress, boost energy, or enhance mental clarity, adaptogens are here to support your body’s resilience and vitality in a way that feels both grounded and empowering. Let's uncover the science and magic behind these natural stress shields to help you thrive, no matter what life throws your way.

By Dr. Adam Abodeely, MD, FACS, FASCRS, MBA, CEO of Coral Cove Wellness Resort April 3, 2025 Biohacking. This buzzword has become a staple in wellness conversations, sparking equal parts curiosity and skepticism. But what does it really mean, and how can it elevate your well-being? As a medical doctor and an enthusiast of a holistic wellness lifestyle, I’m thrilled to guide you through the basics and possibilities of biohacking. You might discover simple yet groundbreaking ways to optimize your physical, mental, and emotional health. While this article provides an overview of key biohacking strategies, it is far from comprehensive—I’ll be exploring each of these aspects in greater depth in future communications. What is Biohacking? At its heart, biohacking involves making intentional changes to your lifestyle and environment to regulate biology and improve overall health. From small tweaks like adjusting your diet to using cutting-edge technology like genetic testing or implantable technology, biohacking offers a wide range of tools to help you feel your best, stay healthy, and age well. The biohacking movement goes beyond physical health; it blends biology, technology, and holistic practices to unlock peak physical, mental and emotional states. It’s a tailored approach to self-improvement, designed to help you uncover and optimize your unique biological blueprint. After all, each of us is wonderfully unique, requiring personalized lifestyle adjustments and wellness strategies to unlock our fullest potential and become the best version of ourselves!

By Dr. Adam Abodeely, MD, FACS, FASCRS, MBA, CEO of Coral Cove Wellness Resort March 27, 2025 Over the years, I’ve cultivated a deep passion for advancing GI health through science-backed practices that enhance the human microbiome, a vital ecosystem of microorganisms essential to wellness. As a board-certified surgeon in General and Colorectal Surgery, I specialize in treating GI conditions like cancers and inflammatory bowel disease, many linked of which are linked to abnormal intestinal bacteria and other organisms which make up the microbiome. My work integrates medical cannabis, holistic practices, supplements, and lifestyle changes, offering alternatives to conventional pharmaceuticals. Serving on the New York State Medical Cannabis Advisory Council and chairing the Committee for Cannabis for IBD, I’m committed to developing natural, effective solutions to improve both intestinal and overall health. It’s nearly impossible to achieve optimal health without a thriving intestinal microbiome. Beyond its implications for GI-related conditions, a disrupted microbiome is increasingly associated with conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and mental health challenges. While this blog offers a broad overview of the microbiome’s monumental impact on health and wellness, I encourage you to stay connected as I’ll regularly share valuable tips and insights on this rapidly evolving topic.

By Dr. Adam Abodeely, MD, FACS, FASCRS, MBA, CEO of Coral Cove Wellness Resort Enjoying a cocktail to unwind or sharing a glass of wine at a special dinner is an integral part of many social gatherings, including vacations at wellness resorts and destinations. Like many, I have appreciated the ritual, connection, and sense of relaxation that enjoying a drink can bring. This enjoyment is not just about the taste or the setting; it’s largely due to alcohol’s intoxicating effects, which can reduce stress, lower inhibitions, and even enhance our mood. What creates these effects is ethanol, the psychoactive compound in alcohol. When we take that first sip, ethanol is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine. It then travels to the liver, where it begins to break down into acetaldehyde, a harmful byproduct. While the liver works to process the alcohol, some of it continues its journey through the bloodstream until it reaches the brain. Here, ethanol alters levels of neurotransmitters like GABA and dopamine, which creates feelings of calmness, pleasure, and sometimes euphoria. These effects highlight why alcohol is often linked to social pleasure, yet they also underline the need for mindful consumption as the same process clouds judgment, impairs motor skills, and taxes the liver. For years, we have been told that small amounts of alcohol might even benefit our health, thanks to the long-standing “glass of wine a day” theory suggesting improved cardiovascular health and longevity. Unfortunately, a growing body of scientific evidence has turned this belief on its head. Today, I’m here to present a critical truth: no amount of alcohol is beneficial for your health. 1 This is a significant paradigm shift and one we must acknowledge to make better, more informed decisions about our wellness journey and our relationship with alcohol. But don’t worry! If you enjoy the occasional alcoholic drink , there are steps you can take to reduce its potential negative effects. To make the most of those helpful tips, it’s important to first understand what’s in alcohol and why it has the potential to impact your health. Let’s take a closer look.

By Dr. Adam Abodeely, MD, FACS, FASCRS, MBA, CEO of Coral Cove Wellness Resort We find ourselves in a time of uncertainty and change. With a new administration in place and bold declarations about transforming the healthcare system, many are wondering: what will really change and how will it impact our lives? The Make America Healthy Again initiative, championed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., promises to shift the focus from treating disease to building a healthier and more resilient nation through prevention. But amidst the speculation, it can be challenging to discern what changes are actually taking shape. Having dedicated my life as a surgeon to fighting illness and now to advancing wellness as the CEO of Coral Cove Wellness Resort, I want to help clarify these pivotal developments for you. This blog will break down the proposed reforms, especially the sweeping overhaul of our nation’s food industry. We'll also unpack the harmful ingredients being targeted for bans and explain how these changes could have a lasting positive impact on public health.

By Dr. Adam Abodeely, MD, FACS, FASCRS, MBA, CEO of Coral Cove Wellness Resort March 7, 2025 As a Gastrointestinal & Colorectal Surgeon specializing in cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and motility disorders, I frequently observe the dynamic interplay between the gastrointestinal (GI) system and overall health. The gut plays a foundational role in maintaining wellness—not just for digestion but for nearly every system in the body. The gut-brain axis, in particular, has emerged as a vital pathway that influences both physical and mental health. New research also sheds light on the influence of the endocannabinoid system and cannabinoids in modulating this axis. These evolving insights deepen our understanding and allow opportunities for intervention, not only for GI conditions but for a wide range of diseases.

By Dr. Adam Abodeely, MD, FACS, FASCRS, MBA, CEO of Coral Cove Wellness Resort Aging is often perceived as a natural, unchangeable march of time. While we can’t stop the clock on chronological aging, emerging science shows we can influence biological aging—the processes that determine how well our body functions as we age. Understanding the difference and how to take control of your biological clock can pave the way for a longer, healthier life. At Coral Cove Wellness Resort, we leverage the latest research and holistic wellness practices to help our guests transform their health from the inside out. Tod ay, we’ll explore how science and lifestyle interventions can help us reshape the aging process.