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Lifestyle Medicine

Thrive Carolinas / Lifestyle Medicine (Page 6)

Getting More Protein in Your Diet: Protein Powders and Whey Protein 

Getting enough protein, especially 30g per meal, can be tough, and that’s where protein powders come in. However, many contain additives like artificial colors, sweeteners, and fillers that aren't ideal for health. Look for powders free from these and check the sugar content, as some can have high carbs, which isn’t helpful for weight management. Whey protein, a popular option, is made from the liquid whey left during cheese production. It comes in forms like concentrate, isolate, and hydrolysate. Whey protein isolate is highly concentrated, with 90-95% protein and minimal lactose, making it suitable for many lactose-intolerant individuals. Whey is known for its high biological value (BV), meaning the body can easily absorb and use it for muscle growth and repair. It's rich in essential amino acids, particularly branched-chain...

Vagus Nerve Regulation

  [caption id="attachment_11875" align="alignleft" width="226"] Dr. Scott Greenapple[/caption] A relatively recent treatment seems to be sweeping across the healthcare industry. Although we have known for many years what the Vagus nerve is responsible for, relatively newer information is available on how many systems are affected by stimulating or increasing what is known as Vagal tone. You would be hard-pressed these days to attend a health conference, read a health magazine, attend a biohacking conference, or visit any social media health website and not find an article or two on the Vagus nerve. Is it possible that this one long nerve in the body can help reduce stress, anxiety, and panic attacks, improve sleep/insomnia, maintain a healthy heart, dampen inflammation, maintain a healthy gut and digestion, increase heart rate variability,...

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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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What is Insulin Resistance?

[caption id="attachment_8775" align="alignleft" width="240"] Harlee Palmer, PA-C[/caption] By: Harlee Palmer, PA-C Insulin resistance is a growing health concern, often preceding type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome. As the body's cells become less responsive to insulin, a hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels, glucose builds up in the bloodstream. This leads to a range of metabolic issues that can have long-term health consequences. By some counts, over 80% of our population has some degree of insulin resistance. Early detection and lifestyle changes can sometimes mitigate these risks and even reverse insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that allows cells to absorb glucose from the blood, converting it into energy. In insulin resistance, the body's cells become less responsive to insulin, requiring more of the...

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Late Summer: Earth Element

[caption id="attachment_11165" align="alignleft" width="232"] Dr. Scott Greenapple[/caption] In Chinese medicine, when the seasons change, the elements change. In Eastern philosophy, there are five elements, and summer has two parts: early and late summer. Late summer is the short period between summer and fall, a transitional period that prepares us for the fall season. The element is the Earth element. The two meridians associated with the Earth element are the stomach and spleen (pancreas is combined with the spleen). Earth is a stabilizing force during these times of transition. Being grounded to the earth is especially important this time of year. We need to get centered, balanced, and grounded as we start to organize and get ready for the harvest of fall. The meridians of the stomach and spleen/pancreas are...

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

It’s Pumpkin Season

As fall approaches, temperatures drop, leaves start to change, and Starbucks releases its menu of fall favorites like Pumpkin spice. Pumpkins have become synonymous with fall, so it makes sense to feature them in autumn recipes and tout their many health benefits. Pumpkins are a type of squash in the Cucurbita family, which also includes other winter squash, zucchini, and cucumbers. They were discovered over 10,000 years ago in Guatemala and Mexico and were treasured for their seeds. With cultivation and agricultural changes, however, pumpkins, like many other harvests, have become sweeter, fleshier, and more like the winter squash we see in the supermarkets. Pumpkins have many health benefits, motivating you to include them in your fall recipes. Pumpkin is a starchy vegetable, but it is relatively low in...

Collagen: Necessity or Hype

[caption id="attachment_11999" align="alignleft" width="340"] Dr. Palermo and a Biotics Research Optimal Collagen Product available at Thrive[/caption] Recently, collagen has gained popularity with claims of anti-aging, skin, nail, and hair rejuvenation, as well as structural support for bones, joints, and tendons. However, collagen is nothing new. In fact, some of its benefits were recorded as far back as 1175, when it was used for its pain-relieving effects. Let’s examine collagen and discuss how it may contribute to health and longevity. First, what is collagen, and how is it used in the body? Most people are not aware that 30 percent of our bodies are made up of collagen, and after about age 20, that amount begins to decline gradually, which makes supplementation an interesting prospect. Collagen provides the scaffolding or...

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Dermaplaning 101

Dermaplaning is a physical exfoliation commonly offered in many skincare spas. It can be used alone or alongside other skin services. It is important a licensed esthetician performs the procedure. During this procedure, the esthetician uses a small stainless steel surgical blade to scrape the top layer of skin from the face. This process removes the build-up of the layer of dead skin cells and will reveal a much smoother, brighter complexion. It can also eliminate the fine hairs on the face, known as villus (commonly referred to as “peach fuzz). While the procedure does require a sharp blade and may seem intimidating, it is typically painless and gentle. The benefits include smoother skin, a glowing complexion, and an overall improved skin texture. This procedure can also...

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The 2024 Clean Fifteen Dirty Dozen List: Your Shopping Necessity

We know we need to eat more fruits and vegetables. Recommendations suggest consuming up to eight servings a day minimum (6 vegetables/2 fruits). However, growing concern over the impact of pesticides and fungicides sprayed on our produce is real and needs to be considered. That is why we are so appreciative of the work done by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that provides individuals with the information they need to live cleaner, healthier lives. Every year they come out with a list of the cleanest, and dirtiest, produce to help guide our buying choices. While buying organic produce is preferred, this is not always an option due to cost and availability. The EWG guide can help steer our choices. In March 2024, they...

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Grilling: Food Preparation and Toxicity: 2024

There is a lot more attention paid to our food sources and the type of food we eat. We recognize the importance of organic, minimally processed foods and their roles in health and disease prevention. It turns out that how we cook these foods plays an equally important role. When the weather is favorable, many cook meals on our outdoor grill. While small amounts of grilling are acceptable, research has suggested that meats may form carcinogenic chemicals called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) when charred or cooked over high heat. Epidemiologic studies have linked cooking meats at high temperatures with an increased risk of pancreatic, prostate, stomach, and colorectal cancers. The culprits associated with this risk may be these heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic...

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