Health Archives - Thrive Carolinas

Understanding health biomarkers for preventive health and longevity

Why You Need to Know Your Biomarkers to Optimize Your Health

September 7, 2026

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

Longevity is a hot topic right now. Everywhere you look, a post or social media influencer promises optimization with a supplement, peptide, GLP-1, or hormones. Many individuals are easily lured by promises of transformation and life-altering results that may have little research to support their efficacy. We know health optimization can be far less complicated and expensive, and research continues to show that getting the basics right matters. One of the first steps toward optimizing your health is simple: know your numbers or your biomarkers. [mkdf_button size="" type="" text="Sign Up for Yoga & Learn: Biomarkers That Matter" custom_class="" icon_pack="font_awesome" fa_icon="" link="https://thrivecarolinas.com/event/yoga-and-learn-biomarkers-that-matter/" target="_self" color="" hover_color="" background_color="" hover_background_color="" border_color="" hover_border_color="" font_size="" font_weight="" margin=""] What Are Biomarkers? Biomarkers are measurable indicators that can provide valuable information about what is happening inside the body....

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...

A person demonstrating proper form push-up alignment on a fitness mat for strength training

The Return of the Presidential Awards: The Push-Up Challenge

June 23, 2026

Exercise, Fitness, Health, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Running, Weight Management

Why are push-ups considered one of the best exercises? Push-ups are a highly effective bodyweight exercise that strengthens the chest, shoulders, triceps, core, and stabilizing muscles. They can improve strength, cardiovascular fitness, glucose metabolism, and overall functional fitness without requiring any equipment. By Nancy A. Palermo, MD The Presidential Fitness Award is given to those who can perform at least 25 push-ups (women) or 50 push-ups (men) in 60 seconds. One of the best things about push-ups? No gym. No equipment. No excuses. Yet many adults struggle to perform even a single push-up. So why should we make push-ups part of our daily routine? Because a single push-up can trigger measurable changes in the body related to muscle strength, metabolism, cardiovascular health, and even brain function. Imagine what 10, 25, or...

A serene natural setting or wellness graphic illustrating mindfulness, clinical hypnosis, and Qi Gong practices at Thrive Carolinas

The Mind-Body Approach to Health: Hypnosis, Mindfulness, Qi Gong, and the Gut Brain Connection:

May 20, 2026

Dr SG, Health, Health Hints, Healthy Eating, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine

By: Dr. Scott Greenapple We are consciously aware of only a small portion of what the mind-body system is processing. Much of our behavior is shaped by automatic, subconscious patterns. This is one of the key ideas behind mind-body healing. The body is constantly responding to signals beneath the surface: stress, breath patterns, emotional memory, muscle tension, digestive reactivity, and whether the nervous system feels safe or threatened. That is why practices such as hypnosis, mindfulness, and Qi Gong can be so helpful. They do not simply ask us to “think positive.” They help the nervous system experience calm, safety, and regulation. The Gut-Brain Connection The gut and brain are in constant communication. This is especially important with conditions such as IBS, where the digestive system can become highly...

Fibermaxxing: How to Increase Fiber Intake Safely

March 17, 2026

Functional and Integrative Medicine, Health, Health Hints, Healthy Eating, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Nancy's articles, Nutrition

There is always a new trend on social media that catches everyone’s attention. One of the newest is Fibermaxxing, a trend that encourages people to load up on fiber-rich foods and added fibers. While increasing fiber intake is beneficial, doing so too much too quickly can lead to undesirable side effects such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea. As with anything, rapid changes often lead to discomfort—and ultimately discontinuation. Why Fiber Matters for Your Health No one disagrees that Americans need more fiber. The standard American diet, often high in processed foods, typically lacks adequate fiber. It is estimated that the average American consumes less than 12 grams of fiber per day, well below the recommended 25–35 grams daily. Increasing fiber intake can: Support a healthy gut microbiome Help regulate blood...

Cooking at Home: A Non-negotiable Tool to Optimize Health

September 3, 2025

Dietitian Services, Dr NP, Health, Health Hints, Healthy Eating, Healthy Life, In The Kitchen, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Weight Management

“Any valuable tool should be simple. That does not mean it will be easy, but if it does need to be simple.” One of the most powerful tools for optimizing your health is a balanced diet. The only way to truly control your diet is to cook at home. When you cook your food, you know where the ingredients came from and what you put into the recipes. That is why we are so passionate about sharing kitchen ideas and recipes. Even before opening our doors at Thrive, we provided cooking classes at Whole Foods. We know that to aid our patients on their health journey, motivating them to cook is key. Cooking does not have to be intimidating or complicated. The more you make cooking at home a...

Why 10,000 Steps a Day Isn’t the Magic Number

August 4, 2025

Blog, Dr NP, Exercise, Fitness, Group Fitness, Health, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine

By Nancy A. Palermo, MD You’ve probably heard the popular health advice: “Get 10,000 steps a day.” But is this daily step goal rooted in science? The Origin of the 10,000-Step Myth Surprisingly, the 10,000-step recommendation didn’t come from medical research; it originated from a Japanese pedometer marketing campaign in the 1960s. Since then, it’s been widely adopted by health apps, fitness trackers, and wellness guidelines—despite lacking clinical evidence. What the Research Really Says A 2023 meta-analysis published in The Lancet reviewed multiple studies from 2014 onward, analyzing the impact of daily step counts on chronic health conditions. The researchers found that significant health benefits occur at much lower step counts than 10,000. In fact, just 7,000 steps per day was associated with the following risk reductions (compared to 2,000 steps/day): ...

Are Hidden Chemicals in Your Food Packaging Harming Your Health?

May 13, 2025

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...

Exploring InMode FormaV and Morpheus8V for Pelvic Health

January 30, 2025

Aesthetic Services, Geneveve, Health, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Massage & Bodywork

At Thrive, we’re committed to offering the latest non-surgical solutions for women’s pelvic health. As board-certified gynecologists, we understand the importance of addressing every stage of a woman's reproductive journey—including unspoken but incredibly common concerns. That’s why we’re excited to offer InMode’s FormaV and Morpheus8V, two cutting-edge technologies designed to improve vaginal health, pelvic floor function, and overall feminine wellness. These in-office treatments provide safe, effective, and non-invasive options for vaginal laxity, dryness, postpartum recovery, and sexual wellness. What Are FormaV and Morpheus8V? Both FormaV and Morpheus8V utilize radiofrequency energy to enhance vaginal tissue health, collagen production, and circulation. However, each treatment is designed to target different levels of rejuvenation and repair: FormaV: Gentle Vaginal Rejuvenation It uses radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen and restore elasticity Ideal for mild...

Supporting Your Natural Detoxification Systems

January 14, 2025

Health, Health Hints, Healthy Eating, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Nutrition, Organic Skincare, Traditional Medical Care, Vitamins

Written by: Nancy Palermo, MD | Edited by: Thrive Carolinas Our modern environment is filled with toxins—from the foods we eat and the water we drink to the air we breathe and the products we use daily. Fortunately, our bodies are naturally equipped with robust detoxification systems. The liver, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and kidneys work together to eliminate harmful substances through urine, stool, mucus, and sweat. Sometimes, however, our “toxic load” becomes too great, and we need extra support. That’s where temporary diets and detox protocols can help. Let’s explore how the body’s built-in detoxification process works and ways to support it naturally. Factors Influencing Toxic Load Several elements can affect how well our bodies handle toxins, including: Environment: Pollutants, chemicals, and other external contaminants Genetics: Inherited predispositions that...

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Why You Need to Know Your Biomarkers to Optimize Your Health

Presidential Fitness Challenge: The One-Mile Run

The Return of the Presidential Awards: The Push-Up Challenge

The Mind-Body Approach to Health: Hypnosis, Mindfulness, Qi Gong, and the Gut Brain Connection:

Fibermaxxing: How to Increase Fiber Intake Safely

Cooking at Home: A Non-negotiable Tool to Optimize Health

Why 10,000 Steps a Day Isn’t the Magic Number

Are Hidden Chemicals in Your Food Packaging Harming Your Health?

Exploring InMode FormaV and Morpheus8V for Pelvic Health

Supporting Your Natural Detoxification Systems

Where is a Patient to Go? Planning Unplanned Medical Care

Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Kebobs

Monday Motivation: Garlic & Gut Health

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