logo

Welcome to Thrive

THRIVE is a collaborative platform of conventional, integrative, & functional medicine practitioners coming together in one setting to provide personalized healthcare to clients.
Working Hours
Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM EST

Cart

M - Th 8a - 5p, F 8a - 4p, Sa 10a - 1p, Su - Closed

(704)-390-7150

6401 Carnegie Blvd, Suite 2A, Charlotte, NC 28211

Top

Lifestyle

Thrive Carolinas / Lifestyle

Why Magnesium Matters: FDA Announces New Qualified Health Claim

On January 10, 2022, FDA announced in a letter of enforcement discretion a newly qualified health claim for magnesium and reduced risk of high blood pressure. Both health claims and qualified health claims characterize the relationship between a substance and a reduction in risk of contracting a particular disease or health-related condition and are reviewed by FDA through a petition process. Qualified health claims are supported by less evidence than the “significant scientific agreement” standard that governs unqualified health claims. Therefore, qualified health claims require a disclaimer or other qualifying language to avoid misleading consumers as to the strength of the scientific evidence supporting the claim. In January, the FDA reviewed health claims related to magnesium. A review of multiple studies did show some benefits with respect to hypertension, but the...

This is Stress on Your Brain

[caption id="attachment_4832" align="alignleft" width="300"] Nancy Palermo, MD[/caption] Have you ever been in a stressful situation where you were so overwhelmed you could not think straight? More than likely it was related to your cortisol levels. Cortisol, which is produced by the adrenal glands in times of stress, plays an important role in aiding the body’s response to a stressful situation. When we are in an acute period of stress the body and mind need to be hyper-focused on survival. We remember details about the situation are not important, but when we are constantly stressed and cortisol levels remain high for long periods of time, it can wreak havoc on many organs, including the brain. When the brain is under prolonged stress the limbic system which is composed of the amygdala...

Heart Healthy Foods

A recent study (August 1, 2022) in The American Journal of Cardiology shared some grim outlooks with respect to cardiovascular diseases in the U.S. Based on current trends; the journal article predicted the four biggest contributors to heart disease would all increase significantly by 2060 with a prediction of diabetes to rise by 39.3%, dyslipidemia, (elevated lipids) by 27.6%, hypertension by 25% and obesity by 18%. The biggest increases were seen in predicted elevations in stroke, heart failure, and heart attack; all predicted to be at levels over 30%. The increases were seen mostly in the female and ethnic/minority populations. While equitable access to healthcare is involved in the equation to tackle these increases, the primary focus needs to be on prevention with education on the...

Looking for a Valentine’s Aphrodisiac?

  [caption id="attachment_8086" align="alignleft" width="227"] Nancy A. Palermo MD[/caption] If you are looking to heat things up in the bedroom, you might want to consider these overlooked aphrodisiacs. Scientific studies published over the past several years have found that lifestyle and dietary changes that promote heart health also promote sexual health. So basically, what is good for the heart is also good for the penis and clitoris. A 2011 study from the Mayo Clinic reviewing clinical trials of 740 men showed that men with ED (Erectile Dysfunction), even on medications, were 2.5Xs more likely to show improvements in sexual function when exercising more and eating a heart-healthy diet. So why is it? Well, it’s all related to blood flow, of course. Poor habits like eating the Standard American Diet (SAD),...

YOGA as Medicine

Yoga has taken the western world by storm. In a 2012 “Yoga in America” survey by Yoga Journal, it was estimated that over 20 million Americans regularly practice yoga. Now that number is estimated to be over 37 million. The first U.S. yoga studio opened in California in 1947. Now Yoga studios are popping up in all communities. In the US, you can perform yoga in heat, with rock music, and even in the company of pets, goats, or children. Westerners, however, still regard the practice of yoga as an alternative form of exercise.  Initially, they are drawn to the physical attributes of the practice, yet with time they recognize the mind-body benefits that go well beyond physical fitness. There is a lengthy menu of yoga...

Share

3 Easy Ways to Maintain Your Bone Health As You Age

Good bones set you up for a successful life, but what sets you up for good bones? While bone health is determined in part by genetics and gender, lifestyle choices influence your bone health too. Osteoporosis is a disease of bone mineral density and bone strength. Over 10 million Americans are affected by this form of bone loss, with numbers expected to rise.    Why does bone health matter? When our bones are weak, we’re more at risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition where the bones are susceptible to injury and breaking. Osteoporosis often leads to broken hips, knees, and arms, which disrupt our daily lives. Osteoporosis is a disease of bone mineral density and bone strength. Over 10 million Americans are affected by this form of bone...

Skin Care Super Heros (A Functional Medicine Approach to Optimizing Skin Appearance)

Our skin is the biggest organ in the body and certainly gets our attention more than the others. Our society is obsessed with perfection and anti-aging, which explains the many skin care products and procedures one can get. There are many out there who are more than happy to give you advice, and sometimes it involves a pill, an expensive skincare ritual, or worse, a needle or scalpel. As a Functional Medicine provider, my approach to skincare is no different from my approach to other organs' health. First and foremost, we must look at the foundational contributors: Sleep Diet Water intake Environmental exposures Often, we overlook these obvious contributors in hopes of finding the perfect cream or worse, a procedure to give us the quick fix. As with other...

Nervous System Resetting

Why reset your nervous system? Have you been eating right, exercising, meditating, taking supplements, and feeling like you're still not where you want to be with your well-being? You may need a nervous system reset. Your nervous system is composed of billions of cells and is involved in every bodily process. The nervous system stores vast amounts of information, including memories, emotions, and energy. Cognitive neuroscientists have found that 95% of brain activity is subconscious, and roughly 5% is conscious. Much of our operating patterns are based on the subconscious level of the nervous system. Think of your body as a giant computer; the nervous system is the hard drive. The body tends to follow when the nervous system is balanced and running smoothly. But if the nervous system...

SUMMER: Acupuncture and the Fire Element

[caption id="attachment_4834" align="alignleft" width="300"] Dr. Scott Greenapple[/caption] Summer in North America is almost officially here.  In Eastern Medicine and China, the summer is split into two seasons, and the first part of summer began on May 7th.  Days are longer and typically filled with sunshine.  The season brings with it abundant energy, growth, and fun-filled activities. In traditional Chinese medicine, the five-element theory, acupuncture, and eastern philosophy, this season is considered in the fire element.  It is the time of year for acupuncture treatments to focus on balancing this element. All elements in acupuncture have corresponding meridians or organs, and the fire element consists of the heart and the small intestine.  The fire element is primarily governed by the heart.  In fact, in Chinese medicine, the heart...

3 Benefits of Strength Training for Women Over 50

You probably know some of the benefits of strength training, such as how it increases your physical strength and helps you lose weight faster. What you might not know is that those benefits increase as you age. In fact, strength training can help women over 50 improve their metabolism, fight muscle deterioration, and maintain good bone health. Let’s discuss the health benefits as well as how to get started with a strength training routine.   Improve Your Metabolism   The higher your muscle mass, the faster your metabolism will be. One of the best ways to increase your muscle mass, and thus speed up your metabolism, is strength training. Good metabolic health is crucial to a number of health functions, most famously maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight....

Subscribe!