Healthy Life Archives - Thrive Carolinas

Peaceful holiday scene with candles, and presents symbolizing calm and relaxation during the holiday season.

A Holiday Gift for a Stress-Free Season

December 9, 2025

By Nancy A. Palermo, MD As we move from Thanksgiving to the New Year, our calendars fill quickly with events, travel, and endless to-do lists. In the rush to make the holidays special for everyone else, we often neglect our own health and well-being. Before long, disrupted sleep, skipped workouts, and poor eating habits start to take their toll, leaving us frazzled, fatigued, and feeling more like the Grinch than Santa’s helper. The truth is, stress has become as much a holiday tradition as mistletoe and eggnog. But it doesn’t have to be. With mindful choices and a few simple habits, you can give yourself the ultimate gift this season: peace of mind and a healthy body. Rethink Your Holiday Mindset The first step toward a calmer holiday season is reframing...

Holiday table setting with healthy food options and fresh seasonal ingredients.

Mindful Holiday Health Tips for 2025

December 2, 2025

Dr NP, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle

The holiday season is meant to bring joy, connection, and celebration. Still, it can just as easily lead to stress, over-scheduling, disrupted routines, and feeling burnt out before the new year even begins. The good news: with a mindful, intentional approach, you can fully enjoy the season and stay grounded in habits that support your health. Below are updated strategies from the Thrive team to help you navigate the holiday rush with clarity, balance, and well-being. 1. Slow Down and Choose Presence Over Perfection Between travel, gift-giving, and social gatherings, the season can feel like a sprint. This year, notice where you may be overcommitting or striving for unrealistic expectations. Try this: Take two minutes each morning to set an intention for how you want to feel that day. ...

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...

Fresh pumpkins and roasted pumpkin seeds arranged on a rustic wooden table, representing healthy fall ingredients.

It’s Pumpkin Season!

October 21, 2025

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

[caption id="attachment_10577" align="alignleft" width="226"] By: Nancy A. Palermo, MD[/caption] By Nancy A. Palermo, MD As the air cools and the leaves begin to change, it’s officially pumpkin season, and not just at Starbucks. While the pumpkin spice latte may get all the attention, the humble pumpkin itself deserves the spotlight for its incredible health benefits and versatility in the kitchen. The Power of Pumpkin Pumpkins belong to the Cucurbita family, which includes squash, zucchini, and cucumbers. Native to Guatemala and Mexico and cultivated for over 10,000 years, pumpkins were originally prized for their nutrient-dense seeds. Over time, selective cultivation has made them sweeter and more flavorful, the perfect fall ingredient. Why Pumpkin Deserves a Spot on Your Plate Pumpkin is technically a starchy vegetable, but it’s lower in carbohydrates than potatoes...

Food Diversity Can Help Optimize Health

October 14, 2025

Healthy Eating, Healthy Life, Lifestyle Medicine, Weight Management

By: Nancy A. Palermo, MD Edited by Thrive Carolinas A healthy gut means a healthier you As science uncovers more about the connection between gut health and overall wellness, one thing becomes clear: we’re only as healthy as our gut. The gut microbiome. A diverse ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms plays a significant role in our metabolism, immune system, and even our emotional well-being. In fact, about 70% of the body’s neurotransmitters, like serotonin and melatonin, are made in the gut. The power of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) Our beneficial gut bacteria produce compounds called short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that help “good” bacteria thrive, repair the gut lining (reducing leaky gut syndrome), and regulate the immune system. Research indicates that SCFAs can also help reduce the risk of...

Building Better Bones: Understanding Osteoporosis and the Science Behind Strong Bones

October 7, 2025

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

The Silent Epidemic of Bone Loss Osteoporosis affects over 10 million Americans, and another 44 million are at risk due to declining bone density. Women account for more than 80% of those affected, primarily due to hormonal changes during menopause. Every year, this disease causes 2 million fractures and costs the U.S. nearly $19 billion. But the true impact is personal: fractures, reduced mobility, and diminished quality of life. [mkdf_button size="" type="" text="Motivation: The Osteoporosis Solution: Integrating Eastern & Western Medicine" custom_class="" icon_pack="font_awesome" fa_icon="" link="https://thrivecarolinas.com/motivation-the-osteoporosis-solution-integrating-eastern-western-medicine/" target="_self" color="" hover_color="" background_color="" hover_background_color="" border_color="" hover_border_color="" font_size="" font_weight="" margin=""] Bone Is Alive and Always Changing Contrary to popular belief, bone is not a rigid structure; it’s a living, vascular, and dynamic tissue that constantly breaks down and rebuilds itself. Think of it like a financial...

Primary Prevention of Breast Cancer: What Every Woman Needs to Know

September 30, 2025

Dr NP, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in women, accounting for 30% of all diagnoses each year. The lifetime risk is now 1 in 8 women, and concerningly, rates continue to rise, especially among women under 50. While 10% of cases are linked to genetics, the majority (90%) are related to lifestyle and environmental factors we can influence. That means prevention is possible. The good news? Survival rates have improved, but our best strategy is primary prevention, taking proactive steps to reduce the risk of breast cancer before it starts. Why Prevention Matters Breast cancer rates are still climbing by about 1% annually. Lifestyle factors, such as diet, weight, stress, and environmental exposures, are strongly linked to risk. Studies show healthy lifestyle changes can lower risk by 20–30%...

Why Macadamia Nuts Deserve a Spot in Your Diet

September 9, 2025

Dr NP, Health Hints, Healthy Eating, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Uncategorized

Written by: Nancy Palermo, MD Edited by: Thrive Carolinas When it comes to healthy eating, almonds and walnuts often steal the spotlight. But there’s another nut worth adding to your pantry—the macadamia. Often overlooked, these creamy, buttery nuts are a true nutritional powerhouse. Fun fact: they were even said to be Queen Elizabeth’s favorite nut. So why should macadamias earn a spot on your plate? Let’s dive into the science-backed benefits. Lower in Omega-6s & Carbs Most nuts are rich in omega-6 fatty acids, which, when consumed in excess, can contribute to inflammation. Macadamias are unique because they’re naturally low in omega-6s and carbohydrates, making them easier on both inflammation and blood sugar balance. This makes them an especially smart choice for individuals seeking to support their metabolic health or...

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...

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A Holiday Gift for a Stress-Free Season

Mindful Holiday Health Tips for 2025

Finding a Functional Medicine Practitioner

Elevating Everyday Meals to Optimize Health

It’s Pumpkin Season!

Food Diversity Can Help Optimize Health

Building Better Bones: Understanding Osteoporosis and the Science Behind Strong Bones

Primary Prevention of Breast Cancer: What Every Woman Needs to Know

Why Macadamia Nuts Deserve a Spot in Your Diet

Cooking at Home: A Non-negotiable Tool 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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