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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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Thrive Carolinas / Health

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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Group Classes: A Prescription to Tackle the Mental Health Epidemic

In May of this year, the Surgeon General, Dr Viveck Murthy, gave an advisory on our epidemic of loneliness and isolation. He laid out a framework for a National Strategy to Advance Social Connection in this rather extensive, wordy PDF. He details recommendations that individuals, governments, workplaces, health systems, and community organizations can take to increase connection in the lives of individuals and communities across the country to improve mental and physical health. It turns out we were already doing all of the things at Thrive, but let’s think about how they might help our overall health. We are still struggling with the downstream effects of the COVID epidemic. One of the most noticeable impacts on society is the decline of mental health. We struggled before the pandemic due to...

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

“Any valuable tool should be simple. That does not mean it will be easy, but if does need to be simple.” One of the most powerful tools you must optimize your health is your diet. The only way to truly control your diet is to cook at home. When you cook your food, you know where you got the ingredients 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 part...

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Are You Metabolically Healthy?

When Americans are asked if they are metabolically healthy, 75% of them will answer yes; however, a recent study (2022) done at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health showed that the metabolic health of Americans is “alarmingly low”. In fact, in the study of over 8700 individuals, the researchers found that only 12% of Americans were metabolically healthy. That means over 1 in 8 or 88% have some degree of cardiometabolic dysfunction. Cardiometabolic dysfunction is based on elevations of blood sugar and insulin, triglycerides, lipids, or blood pressure. The study researchers claimed several reasons for the findings, but one of the most remarkable was that less than 37% were aware of their personal findings despite having regular care. Many patients...

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Thriving Through the Holiday’s Our Holiday Gift Giving Guide

The holiday season is marked by food, family, and, of course, gifts. Gift-giving is not only a big contributor to the stress of the season but also a big contributor to trash and waste. Americans throw out 25 percent more garbage between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and some of the trash includes new Christmas gifts. A little mindfulness during gift selection can help reduce this waste and may also please the recipients more than that last-minute holiday tie purchase. A health-oriented purchase will be the gift that keeps giving. 2023 Healthy Holiday Gift Ideas How About a Book? Books to Inspire 100 Ways to Change Your Life by Liz Moody (Amazon $22.40) The Way Forward by Yung Pueblo (Amazon $13.00) Books/Magazines to Empower One-Year Subscription to Experience Life Magazine Empowering people...

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Choose Your Sunscreen Wisely

Summer has officially arrived along with more sunshine, increased outdoor activities, and anticipated trips to the beach and pool.  The extra vitamin D is loaded with health benefits, but extra summer sunshine can come with the cost of excessive UVA and UVB exposure, skin damage, and hidden dangerous chemicals in sunscreen. While adjusting your time of day outside and staying in the shade are easy solutions, selecting a quality sunscreen that is both safe and effective is a much harder task.   There is no perfect sunscreen on the market, but there are certainly better options. Now is a great time to educate yourself on the best options for protecting your skin and your long-term health.     The EWG has released its yearly guide to sunscreen (we...

This is Stress on Your Brain

[caption id="attachment_4832" align="alignleft" width="300"] Nancy Palermo, MD[/caption] Have you ever been in a stressful situation where you were so overwhelmed you could not think straight? More than likely it was related to your cortisol levels. Cortisol, which is produced by the adrenal glands in times of stress, plays an important role in aiding the body’s response to a stressful situation. When we are in an acute period of stress the body and mind need to be hyper-focused on survival. We remember details about the situation are not important, but when we are constantly stressed and cortisol levels remain high for long periods of time, it can wreak havoc on many organs, including the brain. When the brain is under prolonged stress the limbic system which is composed of the amygdala...

YOGA as Medicine

Yoga has taken the western world by storm. In a 2012 “Yoga in America” survey by Yoga Journal, it was estimated that over 20 million Americans regularly practice yoga. Now that number is estimated to be over 37 million. The first U.S. yoga studio opened in California in 1947. Now Yoga studios are popping up in all communities. In the US, you can perform yoga in heat, with rock music, and even in the company of pets, goats, or children. Westerners, however, still regard the practice of yoga as an alternative form of exercise.  Initially, they are drawn to the physical attributes of the practice, yet with time they recognize the mind-body benefits that go well beyond physical fitness. There is a lengthy menu of yoga...

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How Does Alcohol Affect Gut Health?

Overindulging in alcohol damages a variety of bodily functions from your liver to your mental health. An often overlooked area affected by alcohol is your gut. But how exactly does alcohol affect your gut and what are the signs your gut isn’t happy with how much you’re drinking?   Alcohol and the Gut   Gut health is about more than your stomach–it can impact your mind, immune system, the risk level for certain types of cancer, and more. Basically, it’s one of the major determinants of health in your body.   When you drink alcohol, it can affect your gut health in two primary ways. First, once it's metabolized, it will enter the small intestine and decrease intestinal permeability. This can lead to a leaky gut syndrome, a condition that can...

Laughter can be the best medicine, particularly during a Pandemic

The last 18 months have been a challenge for all of us in ways we are still understanding. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic left many feeling like victims, powerless against this deadly virus. We became dependent on a government and a healthcare system that used fear to drive our decisions. The exposure of CNN Technical Director Charlie Chester’s death toll ticker was formulated to keep people in fear and to drive up ratings by keeping people glued to the TV. There was no compassion. His explanation? “If it bleeds it leads”. The government and healthcare system have also driven the learned helplessness and victim mentality with promises to “Save the Day” with a vaccine and government funding which will miraculously get us out of the pandemic. Here...

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