Lifestyle Archives - Thrive Carolinas

What is Insulin Resistance?

September 11, 2024

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

[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...

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

September 3, 2024

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 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...

Late Summer: Earth Element

August 28, 2024

Dr SG, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine

[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...

It’s Pumpkin Season

August 27, 2024

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

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...

pumpkin

Understanding Creatine

August 21, 2024

Dietitian Services, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Safe & Effective Supplements

[caption id="attachment_12023" align="alignleft" width="225"] Dr. Amy Fletcher[/caption] Creatine is a naturally occurring compound critical in storing and releasing energy. Creatine is found naturally in muscle cells and helps direct various physiologic functions by producing a high-energy molecule called ATP. It was first popularized in the 1980s to enhance athletic performance and strength. However, creatine is not just for bodybuilders and elite athletes. There is a growing body of research into its important role in optimizing overall health. One of the primary considerations is the vital role of creatine in maintaining bone and muscle mass. This becomes a critical area of focus as we age, whether or not we have athletic goals. All activiies of daily living require adequate muscle strength and stamina and we start to lose...

Collagen: Necessity or Hype

August 13, 2024

Dr NP, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Safe & Effective Supplements, Uncategorized

[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...

Dermaplaning 101

August 6, 2024

Aesthetic Services, Geneveve, Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Organic Skincare

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...

Grilling: Food Preparation and Toxicity: 2024

June 25, 2024

Health Hints, Healthy Eating, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine

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...

Summer “Do’s” and “Don’ts

May 14, 2024

Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine

We hope you and your families enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenating summer. Check out the list of do’s and don’ts we put together below. Our summer here at Thrive is off to a busy start. We are excited for another year of growth and are looking forward to counting to serve you and your families. Don’t Put on Sunscreen… At least for the first twenty minutes, you are in the sun. Vitamin D deficiency is common, with over 80% of Americans being deficient. This is a result of our overreaction to the risk of skin cancer with sun exposure. Vitamin D is important for adequate immune function and control of inflammation, neurological and cardiovascular function, bone-building, fighting depression, and, most importantly, fighting and preventing cancer. The body...

Whole Health Spring Cleaning

April 24, 2024

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

As the flowers bloom and the weather turns warmer, we come out of the winter hibernation and tackle spring cleaning. Nearly 8 out of 10 Americans practice spring cleaning regularly. While clearing up the clutter and the pollen is important this is a great time to clear up some of the unhealthy practices, we allowed in during the winter months. We must tackle these “chores” mindfully to embrace true self-care. Do not think of them as obligatory but rather empowering and liberating. Reducing clutter and unhealthy habits can be beneficial for our mental health and our physical health. Let’s try to embrace this mindset while we tackle the physical jobs. Spring cleaning, like many resets, can be referred to as a “temporal landmark”. These are the times in our...

spring spring cleaning

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Lifestyle

What is Insulin Resistance?

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

Late Summer: Earth Element

It’s Pumpkin Season

Understanding Creatine

Collagen: Necessity or Hype

Dermaplaning 101

Grilling: Food Preparation and Toxicity: 2024

Summer “Do’s” and “Don’ts

Whole Health Spring Cleaning

Where is a Patient to Go? Planning Unplanned Medical Care

Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Kebobs

Roasted Cauliflower Hummus Dip

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