Blog Archives - Thrive Carolinas

Presidential Fitness Challenge: The One-Mile Run

August 19, 2026

Blog, Dr NP, Fitness, Group Fitness, Health, Health Hints, Healthy Life

By Nancy A. Palermo, MD We know that when it comes to fitness, Americans are not doing well. Only about 28% of adults meet the physical activity guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and even those recommendations represent a relatively modest goal. That’s one of the reasons we introduced the Presidential Fitness Challenge this summer. While earning the Presidential Award is all in good fun, the real objective is to challenge ourselves to become stronger, healthier, and more resilient. This week, we’re focusing on one of the simplest and most powerful fitness tests: the one-mile run. Why Running Still Matters Only about 15% of Americans run regularly, meaning roughly 85% do not. Here’s the encouraging news: if you’re getting out and running, even if you have to slow...

Organized home office with clean workspace promoting focus, reduced stress, and mental wellness

The Health Benefits of Decluttering

August 5, 2026

Blog, Dr NP, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle

Health Benefits of Decluttering By Nancy A. Palermo, MD We all have clutter in our lives: the junk drawer in the kitchen, the overflowing hall closet, or the growing pile of shoes in the bedroom. While clutter may seem like little more than a visual nuisance, research suggests it can significantly affect how our brains function. This week's challenge is simple: declutter one small area every day. Before you begin, let's look at why this habit can be so beneficial for your health. The Neuroscience of Clutter Managing clutter in both your environment and your mind can help improve attention, reduce stress, enhance cognitive function, and even improve sleep. Life gets busy, and clutter happens. But when we're surrounded by piles of papers, overflowing laundry, unopened mail, and disorganized workspaces, our brains...

An athlete performing a bodyweight core exercise on a yoga mat, showcasing a daily core workout at home

The Return of the Presidential Awards: Abdominal & Core Work

June 23, 2026

Blog, Exercise, Fitness, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle Medicine, Nancy's articles

What are the benefits of daily core exercises? Daily core exercises help improve balance, posture, stability, and athletic performance while reducing the risk of lower back pain and injury. Strengthening the abdominal and core muscles also supports healthy aging, mobility, and overall fitness. By Nancy A. Palermo, MD Summer is here, and many of us will be showing off our abs. Of course, we want to feel more confident and look good, but having a strong core goes beyond showing off the six-pack. Having a strong core is important for balance and stability, and most sports and physical activities depend on it. Core exercises can help to define your abdominal muscles, but optimizing your diet is paramount if you want them to be more defined. Strong core muscles...

Why Sleep Isn’t Optional: The Health Consequences of Poor Sleep

May 11, 2026

Blog, Functional and Integrative Medicine, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine

Published: March 25, 2025 Updated: May 12, 2026 A Thrive Perspective on the Science of Rest In today’s busy, tech-filled world, sleep is often seen as optional, something we sacrifice in the name of productivity. But science tells a different story. Poor sleep isn’t just an inconvenience; it has serious health consequences. According to the CDC, over 50–70 million Americans experience sleep disturbances, and 1 in 3 adults don’t get enough sleep. On average, we’re sleeping 25% less than 70 years ago, and the impact is showing up in our physical, emotional, and cognitive health. Physical Health Risks of Poor Sleep Lack of adequate sleep is strongly associated with: Obesity Diabetes Cardiovascular disease Hypertension Regularly getting less than 6 hours of sleep per night increases your risk of heart disease significantly. A long-term Harvard...

Eat for Your Gut: Simple Ways to Support Your Microbiome Naturally

April 28, 2026

Blog, Functional and Integrative Medicine, Healthy Eating, Healthy Life, In The Kitchen, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Nutrition

A diet that supports gut health must also support the microbiome—your community of beneficial gut bacteria. This starts with removing common disruptors and focusing on foods that nourish and protect the gut lining. A gut-friendly diet should minimize processed ingredients such as hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, and additives. It should also be low in added sugars and GMO foods that are often exposed to higher levels of pesticides. The more anti-inflammatory the diet, the better it supports the gut mucosa and overall digestive health.If you are actively trying to heal your gut, a structured approach like an elimination diet can be a helpful starting point. From there, the goal is to rebuild with foods that support balance and diversity in the microbiome.A gut-supportive...

Scientific molecular representation or medical graphic illustrating the cellular benefits and pathways of peptides at Thrive Carolinas

The Peptide Revolution: Understanding the Hype, Risks, and Reality

April 21, 2026

Blog, Functional and Integrative Medicine, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine

If you've been following health and wellness trends lately, you've likely heard about peptides. Small proteins being promoted as everything from anti-aging solutions to performance enhancers. As interest grows, it’s important to separate fact from fiction and understand what the science actually says What Are Peptides, and are they safe? Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Your body naturally produces thousands of peptides that act as messengers, helping regulate how your cells function. Many of the peptides gaining attention today are synthetic versions designed to mimic or enhance natural processes, potentially influencing hormone production, tissue repair, immune function, and metabolism. A familiar example is GLP-1 medications (like semaglutide), which mimic natural hormones to regulate appetite and support weight loss. FDA-Approved vs. Unapproved Peptides Some peptides have...

Qi Gong, the Eight Brocades, and the Healing Connection Between Mind, Body, and Breath

March 4, 2026

Blog, Dr SG, Healthy Life, Lifestyle Medicine

By Dr. Scott Greenapple Qi Gong is a time-honored practice of gentle movement, breathing, attention, and intention. One of its most accessible and beloved forms is the Eight Brocades, also known as Baduanjin—a classic sequence of eight movements that has been practiced for centuries. Because it is rhythmic and relatively easy to learn, Baduanjin is often used as an entry point into Qi Gong for people who want to improve strength, mobility, balance, and overall well-being without placing harsh strain on the body. In traditional East Asian medicine, health is often understood through the lens of the Three Treasures, or San Bao: Jing (Essence), Qi (vital energy or breath), and Shen (spirit or consciousness). This framework offers a beautiful way of understanding Qi Gong. When we align...

Medical graphic explaining German Measles immunity, symptoms, and protection at Thrive Carolinas

German Measles: What You Need to Know About Immunity, Symptoms & Protection

February 24, 2026

Blog, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine

German Measles: Ensuring Your Immunity The state of South Carolina is experiencing its largest measles outbreak in the last century, with numbers nearing one thousand. Some suspect the number may be higher, given that South Carolina does not mandate reporting of cases by healthcare personnel. It may be only a matter of time before North Carolina follows. Currently, there are 26 reported cases in the state and 3 here in Mecklenburg County. What You Need to Know About Measles Measles is so contagious that 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people will become infected if exposed to someone with the virus. While anyone who is not immune can get measles, certain groups face a significantly higher risk of both infection and life-threatening complications. Groups at Highest Risk for Severe Complications If infected, these groups...

Finding a Functional Medicine Practitioner

November 4, 2025

Blog, Dr NP, Functional and Integrative Medicine, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Nancy's articles, Uncategorized

By Nancy A. Palermo, MD Why Now is the Best Time for Functional Medicine Recent studies show a growing dissatisfaction with the conventional healthcare experience. In fact, trust in physicians has dropped from 71% to just 40% as of early 2024. Many patients are seeking a different kind of care, one that prioritizes empathy, collaboration, and prevention over prescriptions and procedures. This shift has led to rising interest in Functional Medicine, an approach that examines the root causes of illness and emphasizes long-term wellness rather than just symptom management. [mkdf_button size="" type="" text="Learn More About Our Functional Medicine Program" custom_class="" icon_pack="font_awesome" fa_icon="" link="https://thrivecarolinas.com/functional_intergrative_medicine/" target="_self" color="" hover_color="" background_color="" hover_background_color="" border_color="" hover_border_color="" font_size="" font_weight="" margin=""] What Is Functional Medicine? Functional Medicine is a patient-centered, systems-based model that views the body as an integrated whole. Practitioners focus on...

Nancy talks about the benefits of limiting processed foods in your diet

Elevating Everyday Meals to Optimize Health

October 28, 2025

Blog, Dr NP, Healthy Eating, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine

By Nancy A. Palermo, MD Many Americans fall into a routine when it comes to cooking. We make the same few meals each week, often relying on chicken and salad, and wonder why we’re uninspired or tempted by takeout. Unfortunately, this complacency in the kitchen often mirrors the decline in our overall health. Eating out may feel easier, but it often comes with hidden costs: excess calories, sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, along with a lack of nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. Finding joy and creativity in your home cooking not only saves your health, but it can also reshape your waistline and your microbiome. Why Variety Matters Research shows that rotating foods and eating a wider variety of plant ingredients helps cultivate diverse gut bacteria, a key factor in...

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Presidential Fitness Challenge: The One-Mile Run

The Health Benefits of Decluttering

The Return of the Presidential Awards: Abdominal & Core Work

Why Sleep Isn’t Optional: The Health Consequences of Poor Sleep

Eat for Your Gut: Simple Ways to Support Your Microbiome Naturally

The Peptide Revolution: Understanding the Hype, Risks, and Reality

Qi Gong, the Eight Brocades, and the Healing Connection Between Mind, Body, and Breath

German Measles: What You Need to Know About Immunity, Symptoms & Protection

Finding a Functional Medicine Practitioner

Elevating Everyday Meals to Optimize Health

Where is a Patient to Go? Planning Unplanned Medical Care

Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Kebobs

Monday Motivation: Garlic & Gut Health

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