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Lifestyle Medicine

Thrive Carolinas / Lifestyle Medicine (Page 6)

Thriving Through the Holidays

The average American gains 5-10 lbs during the holiday season. This year it is especially a problem because many are carrying an extra 10-30 lbs of COVID weight. There are promises to get back on track and start anew in 2022 but we are challenging you to enjoy the season without completely giving up. Take the time to exercise. Take time out for yourself to reset. It is your holiday too. Enjoy yourself during celebrations and special events but reign it in. More importantly, do not let the busy season be an excuse to poorly eat every other night. As our gift to you, we are including some healthy options to consider so that you can stay on track. Your friends and family will thank you...

Lifestyle Measures to Improve Insulin Sensitivity

Whether you suffer from type 2 diabetes or are afraid your body is becoming insulin resistant, there are some lifestyle changes you can make to address your insulin levels. Exercise, dietary changes, and reducing stress can improve your insulin sensitivity.   Workouts and Insulin Levels   Regular exercise is perhaps the best way to regulate insulin levels. When you exercise, your body moves sugar into muscles for storage, leading to less insulin resistance. Depending on the type of exercise, workouts can improve insulin levels for 24-48 hours after you finish your workout. Cardiovascular exercise has been found to moderate insulin levels. A 2008 study found 60 minutes of cycling increases whole-body insulin sensitivity for 12-24 hours after the workout ends.   While any exercise is helpful in addressing insulin, a 2019...

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The Surprising Relationship Between Intermittent Fasting and Insulin Resistance

Intermittent fasting is one of the most popular nutritional trends and people often look to it for weight loss. But are there any health benefits behind the hype? If you’re looking to manage your insulin levels, the answer is yes. But the relationship between intermittent fasting and insulin resistance will only work for you if you have the right intermittent fasting schedule.   Lifestyle and Insulin Levels   Insulin is a necessary element for your body to properly break down food. When you eat a meal, your body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, which causes a spike in blood sugar levels. To combat this spike, your pancreas releases insulin which attaches to cells and allows them to absorb glucose. However, when you are insulin resistant, this process doesn’t work...

We’re Nuts about staying Healthy – Here’s Why

Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t. Nuts are a great way to get a dose of heart-healthy fat, as well as a mix of valuable vitamins and minerals.  The National Center for Biomedical Information states that “by virtue of their unique composition, they are likely to beneficially impact health outcomes.”  Research suggest that regular nut consumption is unlikely to contribute to obesity and may even help in weight loss!  But that doesn’t mean that you should eat handful after handful.  Instead (like most things), moderation is key. Ideally, a serving  should be about the size of a golf ball. All nuts are not created equal. Many are high in fat content. They are one of the natural plant foods richest in fat.  Nuts are beneficial because...

Secrets to Winter Health and Energy

SECRETS TO WINTER HEALTH AND ENERGY Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture and Qi Gong practices believe that human beings should live in harmony with their environment and seasons.  Each season represents an “element” and we have specific ways to balance, restore, maintain and boost your immune system and create harmony in this time of the year.  These treatments and dietary recommendations can help ward off the common cold, flu and help alleviate the blues and depression that can be called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) due to lack of sunshine and exposure.  Some of the best parts of acupuncture are its “side effects”.  These include stress reduction, increase energy and help with sleep disorders such as insomnia. TCM and the winter season: Everything in nature is both Yin and...

3 Easy Ways to Balance Insulin Levels and Improve Your Health

Are your insulin levels negatively impacting your hormones? Insulin resistance can lead to physical and mental health problems such as weight gain, mood swings, and brain fog. But there are natural ways to balance your insulin levels and keep your hormones in check.   What is Insulin?   Insulin plays a major role in your metabolism. It turns carbohydrates into glucose and sugar, which are released into the bloodstream and help the cells of your body turn glucose into energy.   If your insulin levels are healthy, the more you eat, the more insulin your body releases to regulate your blood sugar. However, if your body has to create too much insulin due to excess sugars and carbohydrates, it can become insulin resistant.   When insulin isn’t doing its job, there are many...

Natural Remedies for PMS

Up to 90% of child-bearing women experience pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) during their lifetime. PMS can lead to physical, emotional, and cognitive side effects which can lower your quality of life. These four holistic and alternative treatments to PMS are available without a prescription.   What is PMS?   PMS is the physical, emotional, and cognitive effects some women experience the week before their period starts. Symptoms of PMS vary greatly, but some of the most common are: Fatigue Irritability Abdominal pain Breast tenderness Depression   Oftentimes, PMS is treated with antidepressants, birth control pills, painkillers like Ibuprofen, and hormonal treatments. Yet, there are some alternative, more holistic ways to treat PMS which are as effective, if not sometimes more effective.   Treatment 1:​ Taking Supplements   Supplements can help control certain symptoms. Three of the...

COVID-19 Resources

Foundational management of an anti-inflammatory diet with minimal processing, refined carbohydrates, and artificial ingredients is key. Addressing lifestyle factors like sleep, exercise, and stress management are also equally important in the prevention and treatment of COVID. Remember 94% of individuals who get a severe disease and die have comorbidities that are driven by poor lifestyle choices. If there was ever a time to address your foundational health it is right now. General Immune Support ( Pre-COVID or if exposure) Vitamin C 1000-2000 mg daily NAC 600-900 mg twice a day Curcumin 500-1000 mg daily Zinc 15-30 mg daily Quercetin 250 mg twice a day Post-Exposure / Symptomatic COVID Discontinue Zinc, Echinacea and Elderberry Vitamin D3 10,000 IUs daily for 2 weeks Vitamin C 3000 mg daily NAC...

Autumn – Acupuncture Qi Gong and Mindfulness

Autumn/Fall is the season of harvest as we prepare for the winter season. [caption id="attachment_4834" align="alignleft" width="184"] Dr. Scott Greenapple[/caption] We look to collecting and storing nutrition as well as mental clarity for the purpose of cultivation and culmination to allow us to grow and let go of and move on to the next cycle of the seasons and life itself.  We can move forward with the proper care that allows us to balance the body/mind experience and balance the nervous system to enhance our overall well-being. Fall is the time of year to go deeper into self-care, retrospection, and meditation. In traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) we look at seasons and consider them as elements. With each change of the season, there are elements and meridians that correspond....

Supplements for Mitochondrial Health

As the powerhouse of the cell, mitochondria gives you the energy you need to perform at your best each day. However, many people don’t get the necessary nutrients, antioxidants, and compounds needed to support good mitochondrial health. If you want better mitochondrial health and more energy, consider these four supplements. Alpha Lipoic Acid Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and ROSs. It can also serve as supportive fuel for your muscle mitochondria. ALA has also been shown to stabilize blood sugar. Elevated blood sugar and insulin levels are known contributors to mitochondrial dysfunction. ALA has also been shown to reduce inflammation, a major contributor to mitochondrial dysfunction. You can get ALA in red meat, organ meats, broccoli, or spinach, but many people have...

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