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THRIVE is a collaborative platform of conventional, integrative, & functional medicine practitioners coming together in one setting to provide personalized healthcare to clients.
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Functional and Integrative Medicine

Thrive Carolinas / Functional and Integrative Medicine

Functional Medicine: The Future of Healthcare Transformation

June 3, 2025
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Blog, Dr NP, Functional and Integrative Medicine, Healthy Life, Lifestyle Medicine, Nancy's articles, Traditional Medical Care

By Dr. Nancy A. Palermo This year’s International Conference for the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) brought together over 1,500 forward-thinking healthcare professionals from around the world, all focused on a powerful theme: Transformation. As someone deeply committed to the principles of Functional Medicine, I was inspired by the conversations and research presented, ranging from AI in healthcare and cognitive decline reversal to regenerative agriculture, mitochondrial health, and muscle-centric medicine. These topics share a common goal: to redefine the way we approach health and healing. Why Functional Medicine Matters Now More Than Ever The data is overwhelming—new medical research is doubling every 76 days, yet conventional medicine continues to fall behind. Despite spending 17–30% of our GDP on healthcare, the U.S. ranks among the sickest nations in the developed...

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Are Hidden Chemicals in Your Food Packaging Harming Your Health?

May 13, 2025
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Blog, Functional and Integrative Medicine, Health, Health Hints, Healthy Eating, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine

More than 10,000 chemicals are still approved for use in food and food packaging materials in the United States, and many of them may be doing more harm than good. A growing body of research shows that many of these chemicals are endocrine disruptors, meaning they interfere with your body’s hormonal systems. These disruptions can contribute to a wide range of health problems, including developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disorders. Where Are These Chemicals Found? These harmful substances often hide in everyday items like: Plastic bottles (disposable and reusable) The linings of canned foods Cosmetics and personal care products Detergents and cleaning products Toys Thermal paper receipts Food packaging and wrappers Chemicals to Avoid in Plastics Here are some of the most concerning chemicals still commonly used: Phthalates: Found in...

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How Stress Impacts Your Hormones and Your Health

April 22, 2025
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Blog, Functional and Integrative Medicine, Health Coaching, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine

    By Nancy A. Palermo, MD Edited by Thrive Carolinas We all know stress isn’t good for us, but understanding exactly how it affects our hormones may be the wake-up call we need to take it seriously. While stress impacts every system in the body, it’s especially disruptive to your hormonal balance, and that disruption can lead to a cascade of health problems. The Hormonal Stress Response When your body experiences acute stress, it releases adrenaline and noradrenaline hormones that trigger the well-known “fight or flight” response. You may feel a racing heart, increased energy, and sharper alertness. This is helpful short-term, but when stress becomes chronic, these hormones begin to take a toll, increasing anxiety, fatigue, and even straining your heart. At the same time, your body increases production of...

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How Antibiotics Affect Your Gut Microbiome—and How to Rebuild It

March 26, 2025
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Functional and Integrative Medicine, Health Hints, Healthy Eating, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Nutrition, Safe & Effective Supplements, Vitamins

Written by: Harlee Palmer, PA-C Edited by: Thrive Carolinas When to Take Them, What to Avoid, and How to Heal Antibiotics have transformed modern medicine by saving lives and effectively treating bacterial infections. But like all powerful tools, they come with trade-offs—especially regarding gut health. Since 2000, global antibiotic use has increased by 66%, much of it unnecessary or misused. As a result, many people are experiencing unintended consequences—most notably, disruptions in the gut microbiome. What Is the Gut Microbiome? Your gut microbiome is a dynamic ecosystem of trillions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes that live in your digestive tract. These organisms: Aid in digestion Produce essential vitamins Regulate the immune system Maintain a healthy gut lining Break down fiber and polyphenols How Antibiotics Impact Gut Health Antibiotics don’t distinguish between...

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

March 25, 2025
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Blog, Functional and Integrative Medicine, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine

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 study found a 200% increase in...

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Avoiding Toxins in Oral Health Products: A 2025 Wellness Guide

March 24, 2025
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Functional and Integrative Medicine, Healthy Life

Published: August 25, 2019 Updated: March 25, 2025 Protecting Your Mouth, Body, and Microbiome When it comes to wellness, oral health is often overlooked—but it’s a critical part of your whole-body health. Many conventional toothpastes, mouthwashes, and dental products still contain ingredients that can negatively impact your microbiome, disrupt hormones, or contribute to chronic inflammation. In 2025, we now have greater access to natural alternatives, but harmful ingredients still persist in many mainstream products. Because your mouth and gums are highly absorbent, what you use in your oral care routine truly matters. Ingredients to Avoid in Oral Health Products 1. Triclosan Formerly used as an antibacterial/antifungal agent, triclosan has been linked to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and hormone disruption. While it’s been banned in some products, it may still be found...

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The Mighty Microbiome: How Gut Health Impacts Your Overall Wellness

March 11, 2025
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Dr NP, Functional and Integrative Medicine, Health Hints, Healthy Eating, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Nutrition, Weight Management

What is the Microbiome & Why Does It Matter? Your gut microbiome plays a crucial role in overall health, influencing everything from immune function and metabolism to mental well-being. Recent research has linked gut bacteria imbalances—also known as dysbiosis—to chronic diseases such as: Type 1 Diabetes & Rheumatoid Arthritis Multiple Sclerosis & Autoimmune Disorders Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome Anxiety, Depression & Neurodegenerative Diseases The gut is connected to the brain, immune system, and metabolism, meaning what you eat directly impacts your microbiome and, in turn, your overall health. The Science Behind Gut Health & Disease Prevention Over $1.7 billion has been spent on microbiome research, revealing that imbalances in gut bacteria can contribute to inflammation and disease progression. Studies show that: Microbial dysbiosis leads to chronic...

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Weight Management Solutions: A Comprehensive Approach

January 28, 2025
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Dr TL, Functional and Integrative Medicine, Health Hints, Healthy Eating, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Nutrition, Weight Management

Written By: Dr. Tracy Larson Edited By: Thrive Carolinas Weight management has become a key focus in healthcare, driven by its strong links to serious health concerns such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, dementia, and cancer. At the same time, societal factors and lifestyle changes have contributed to a sharp rise in obesity rates. Today, nearly 40% of U.S. adults are classified as obese, and 70% fall into the overweight or obese category. Childhood obesity is also on the rise, setting the stage for significant long-term health challenges. At Thrive, we offer a holistic, personalized approach to weight management. While medications can play a role, we focus on sustainable lifestyle changes that empower individuals to achieve lasting health and wellness. Understanding the Obesity Epidemic Obesity is a complex...

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Why You Need to Pay Attention to Body Composition

January 21, 2025
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Exercise, Fitness, Functional and Integrative Medicine, Health Coaching, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Weight Management

Understanding your body composition is essential for long-term health and fitness. While many focus on the number on the scale, this approach can be misleading—especially if you're building muscle through strength training. Recent research highlights the importance of strength training for health, longevity, and metabolic well-being. However, body composition, not just weight, is a more accurate measure of your progress and health. What Is Body Composition? Body composition refers to the fat and lean mass percentages that make up your total body weight. Unlike weight alone, body composition breaks these elements into key components: Fat Mass: Includes subcutaneous fat (under the skin) and visceral fat (around internal organs). Lean Mass: Comprises skeletal muscle, bones, organs, fluids, and other non-fat elements. Understanding your body composition can give you a more...

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More Evidence to Support Primary Prevention in Breast Cancer

October 1, 2024
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Blog, Dr NP, Functional and Integrative Medicine, Health, Health Hints, Healthy Eating, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Nutrition, Traditional Medical Care, Uncategorized, Vitamins, Weight Management, Yoga

By Dr. Nancy A. Palermo, MD Edited by: Thrive Carolinas A recent landmark study published in BMJ Oncology by researchers from the University of Edinburgh examined the incidence of 29 cancers in individuals aged 14 to 49 across 200 countries over a 30-year period. The findings were alarming: the incidence of cancers in those under 50 rose by 79%, accounting for over 3.26 million cases. The researchers suggested that this increase is not due to genetic factors but rather to environmental influences like poor diet (high in processed foods and added sugars), alcohol consumption, smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, and exposure to environmental toxins. Our genes haven't changed in the last 30 years, but our environment has—highlighting the need for lifestyle changes to address this growing issue. The...

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THRIVE is a collaborative platform of conventional, integrative, & functional medicine practitioners coming together in one setting to provide personalized healthcare to clients.


Mon - Th 8a - 5p, Fr 8a - 4p, Sa 10a - 1p, Su Closed

(704)-390-7150

6401 Carnegie Blvd, Suite 2A, Charlotte, NC 28211

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