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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

More Evidence to Support Primary Prevention in Breast Cancer

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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Cooking with Condiments: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Written By: Nancy A. Palermo, MD Edited by: Thrive Carolinas Condiments are a staple in most kitchens, adding flavor and depth to our meals. But while they enhance taste, many condiments come loaded with hidden calories, salt, sugar, and additives that can sneak into our diets. In our upcoming Thrive Cooking Class, we’ll teach you how to use and make healthier condiments that pack flavor without sacrificing your health. The Hidden Dangers of Common Condiments Before you grab your favorite condiment, here are a few things to keep in mind: Avoid Inflammatory Oils Many condiments contain unhealthy fats, such as vegetable, canola, and sunflower oils, which can contribute to inflammation. Always check the label and opt for healthier alternatives. Watch for Artificial Flavors and Additives Condiments often contain artificial flavors, added...

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Motivation: The Vagus Nerve

Join Dr. Scott Greenapple for this week's Motivation and discover the importance of the vagus nerve as the link between your brain and internal organs. We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Yoga + Learn class. In this class, you’ll enjoy a rejuvenating yoga session and gain insights into the critical role the vagus nerve plays in your health. Led by Dr. Scott Greenapple, this special event is designed to help you understand how stimulating the vagus nerve can positively impact your body. Why the Vagus Nerve Matters The vagus nerve is the primary communication link between your brain and most of your internal organs, influencing various bodily functions. Stimulating it can: Reduce inflammation Improve heart rate variability Regulate autonomic functions like digestion and heart rate You can...

What is Insulin Resistance?

[caption id="attachment_8775" align="alignleft" width="240"] Harlee Palmer, PA-C[/caption] By: Harlee Palmer, PA-C Insulin resistance is a growing health concern, often preceding type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome. As the body's cells become less responsive to insulin, a hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels, glucose builds up in the bloodstream. This leads to a range of metabolic issues that can have long-term health consequences. By some counts, over 80% of our population has some degree of insulin resistance. Early detection and lifestyle changes can sometimes mitigate these risks and even reverse insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that allows cells to absorb glucose from the blood, converting it into energy. In insulin resistance, the body's cells become less responsive to insulin, requiring more of the...

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Dr. Scott Greenapple May has been deemed Mental Health Awareness Month. In this article, I will combine some thoughts and theories and offer “tools” to help people become aware and educated. I will also offer some guidance for you or anyone you may know who suffers from this disease. Mental health issues are on the rise at alarming rates. Many theories are being studied and observed as to the reasons. Some of the most obvious stem from political unrest in this country and the world; the constant reality of war, poverty, climate change, financial struggle, and the barrage of news from social media are certainly at the top of reasonings. And, of course, the more personal ones such as family dynamics-dysfunction, trauma, genetics, chronic disease, pain, inter and...

It is Not All in Your Head: A Discussion of the Role Lifestyle and Diet Play in Mental Disease

Nancy A. Palermo MD We have always suspected that ultra-processed diets were linked to chronic diseases, including psychiatric diseases like depression and anxiety, but a recently published in JAMA (September 2023) showed that women who consumed the most ultra-processed foods (foods high in salt, sugar, refined carbohydrates, hydrogenated oils, and artificial additives) were 50% more likely to suffer from depression than those women who avoided these foods. This is yet another study to support the fact that mental disorders are not distinct entities and have a tremendous overlap with other physical disorders. A poor diet can largely influence both mental disorders and physical disorders. Some researchers, like Dr. Christopher Palmer, a Harvard Psychiatrist and researcher and author of Brain Energy, have even suggested that many mental disorders can...

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Autumn & Acupuncture

In traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we look at seasons and consider them as elements. With each season, there are elements and meridians (channels) that correspond. During each season, we look at the meridians and elements and how they affect or correlate to both the physical and emotional aspects of our lives. One of the basic theories of Eastern Medicine is to look for a balance of the meridians and a balance between Yin and Yang. This is very similar to Western Medicine, where we look for homeostasis in the physiology of the body, like blood pressure and the PH in the blood. We are now going from the high energy and carefree attitudes of summer (Yang in nature) to the more serious and introspective energies (Yin) that are...

What is the InBody 570?

Go beyond the scale with the InBody Test, a non-invasive, quick, and accurate body composition analysis that provides a detailed breakdown of your weight in terms of Skeletal Muscle Mass, Percent Body Fat, BMR, Total Body Water, Visceral Fat assessment, and other vital measurements. Stand on the device and hold the hand electrodes. 45 Second Test Quickly measure fat mass, muscle mass, and body water. Auto-calibrated, user-friendly, and non-invasive, testing is fast and easy—stand on the device and hold the hand electrodes. No Empirical Estimations No empirical estimations are based on age, sex, ethnicity, or body type. Instead, Direct Segmental Multi-Frequency BIA technology measures body segments separately for an accurate analysis based on your unique body. Advanced Outputs Get essential outputs for evaluating overall health and wellness. Draw more insights from...

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Epigenetics: Were You Born This Way?

Epigenetics: Were You Born This Way? Your Genes Make You You Genes found within your DNA create the building blocks of each person. They determine hair color, eye color, affect height, and control any number of things about you. In essence, every aspect of yourself, from physical characteristics to personality, can be partially attributed to your genetic makeup. This is the basic premise of the "nature vs. nurture" discussion. But what if "nature," your genes, were themselves affected by your environment? This is where epigenetics comes into play. At its heart, epigenetics is how and why specific genes are expressed and why others are dormant. For example, the COL1A1 gene is present in all cells, but it is only utilized (or expressed) in skin cells that need to...

A Recap from the 2023 Annual Institute of Functional Medicine’s International Conference

[caption id="attachment_8097" align="alignleft" width="171"] Dr. Nancy Palermo[/caption] Harlee and I were thrilled to be a part of the annual IFM International conference held in Orlando Fl in June. After three years of meeting virtually with IFM, this was the first in-person conference. There were over 1000 attendees from all over the world were present, and it was exciting to be with our tribe-individuals who want to change the practice of Medicine by optimizing health with Functional Medicine.   Topics covered included Functional Medicine approaches to Oncology Care, Integrative Rheumatology, Deprescribing and helping patients safely get off medications, Oral Microbiome and Dental Health and its relationship with Systemic Disease, Using Wearables to help patients Optimize Health, Managing Long COVID patients, the Science of Longevity, and so much more. We...

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