Lifestyle Archives - Thrive Carolinas

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...

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...

Yoga & Learn September: Non-Negotiable Habits for Longevity

September 2, 2025

Blog, Dr NP, Exercise, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Yoga

By Nancy A. Palermo, MD Edited by Thrive Carolinas When it comes to longevity, the latest biotech buzzwords, telomeres, senolytics, miracle pills, and Silicon Valley “hacks” can be tempting distractions. But the truth is simple: the fundamentals matter most. Research consistently shows that practicing core habits every day, such as regular movement, adequate rest, whole foods, and meaningful connections, can add 7–10 years of healthy life. Healthspan and lifespan don’t come from shortcuts. They grow from small, consistent actions. Why Fundamentals Beat Fads The global wellness industry is now a $4.2 trillion market, growing nearly twice as fast as the global economy. Yet, as a population, we aren’t getting healthier; we’re getting more confused, overwhelmed, and frustrated. Each week brings a new “best” diet or lifestyle trend. With so many competing voices,...

Comparison of cane sugar and corn syrup side by side, highlighting their similar health risks.

Coke, Cane Sugar, and Your Health: What You Need to Know

August 26, 2025

Health Hints, Healthy Eating, Healthy Life, Lifestyle

Written by: Tracy Larson, MD Edited by: Thrive Carolinas Coca-Cola and other sugary beverages are everywhere in the U.S. According to the CDC, about half of Americans consume at least one sugar-sweetened drink each day. Traditionally, Coca-Cola in the U.S. has been made with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), while in many other countries it’s made with cane sugar. Soon, Coca-Cola will introduce a cane sugar–sweetened version in the U.S. While that may sound like a healthier choice, the reality is more complicated. HFCS vs. Cane Sugar: What’s the Difference? HFCS is a man-made sweetener derived from cornstarch. It shows up in a wide range of foods, soft drinks, sweetened fruit drinks, desserts, flavored yogurts, cereals, baked goods, and candy. Food manufacturers favor HFCS because it’s cheaper than cane sugar, widely...

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Mindful Holiday Health Tips for 2025

Finding a Functional Medicine Practitioner

Elevating Everyday Meals to Optimize Health

It’s Pumpkin Season!

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

Yoga & Learn September: Non-Negotiable Habits for Longevity

Coke, Cane Sugar, and Your Health: What You Need to Know

Where is a Patient to Go? Planning Unplanned Medical Care

Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Kebobs

Monday Motivation: Garlic & Gut Health

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