Nutrition Archives - Thrive Carolinas

Supporting Your Natural Detoxification Systems

January 14, 2025

Health, Health Hints, Healthy Eating, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Nutrition, Organic Skincare, Traditional Medical Care, Vitamins

Written by: Nancy Palermo, MD | Edited by: Thrive Carolinas Our modern environment is filled with toxins—from the foods we eat and the water we drink to the air we breathe and the products we use daily. Fortunately, our bodies are naturally equipped with robust detoxification systems. The liver, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and kidneys work together to eliminate harmful substances through urine, stool, mucus, and sweat. Sometimes, however, our “toxic load” becomes too great, and we need extra support. That’s where temporary diets and detox protocols can help. Let’s explore how the body’s built-in detoxification process works and ways to support it naturally. Factors Influencing Toxic Load Several elements can affect how well our bodies handle toxins, including: Environment: Pollutants, chemicals, and other external contaminants Genetics: Inherited predispositions that...

Counting Your Macros and Enjoying What You Eat

January 7, 2025

Blog, Dr NP, Health Hints, Healthy Eating, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Nutrition, Uncategorized, Weight Management

Are you looking to shed unwanted pounds, build muscle, or simply eat healthier? Although we’ve long heard that weight management is all about “calories in and calories out,” there’s more to it than just tracking calories. By focusing on macronutrients—proteins, fats, and carbohydrates—you can create a more personalized, effective plan to reach your health goals without feeling deprived. So, What Exactly are Macronutrients? “Macros” is short for macronutrients, the nutrients that provide energy, specifically proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Proteins and carbohydrates provide four calories per gram, and fats deliver nine calories per gram. We need to consider macronutrients as a source of fuel for our bodies. The total calorie intake comes from the macronutrients. We do not want to confuse macronutrients with micronutrients. Micronutrients are the vitamins and minerals...

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Optimizing Bones for Your Future Health

October 30, 2024

Health Hints, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Nancy's articles, Nutrition

[caption id="attachment_12211" align="alignleft" width="192"] Nancy Palermo, MD[/caption] Written By: Nancy Palermo, MD Edited by: Thrive Carolinas Osteoporosis affects an estimated 10.2 million American adults aged 50 and older, of which more than 80% are women. Another 44 million are at risk for osteoporosis due to loss of bone density (osteopenia). Osteoporosis, characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD), poses significant health risks, leading to fractures, reduced mobility, and a diminished quality of life. In a study based on almost 380,000 osteoporotic fractures in females, 10% had another fracture within one year, 18% within two years, and 31% within five years. More concerning is the mortality rate after a hip fracture can be as high as 36% within a year of the break. The physical and economic burden of osteoporosis is underrated....

More Evidence to Support Primary Prevention in Breast Cancer

October 1, 2024

Blog, Dr NP, Functional and Integrative Medicine, Health, Health Hints, Healthy Eating, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Nutrition, Traditional Medical Care, Uncategorized, Vitamins, Weight Management, Yoga

By Dr. Nancy A. Palermo, MD Edited by: Thrive Carolinas A recent landmark study published in BMJ Oncology by researchers from the University of Edinburgh examined the incidence of 29 cancers in individuals aged 14 to 49 across 200 countries over a 30-year period. The findings were alarming: the incidence of cancers in those under 50 rose by 79%, accounting for over 3.26 million cases. The researchers suggested that this increase is not due to genetic factors but rather to environmental influences like poor diet (high in processed foods and added sugars), alcohol consumption, smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, and exposure to environmental toxins. Our genes haven't changed in the last 30 years, but our environment has—highlighting the need for lifestyle changes to address this growing issue. The...

Cooking with Condiments: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

October 1, 2024

Functional and Integrative Medicine, Healthy Eating, In The Kitchen, Lifestyle Medicine, Nutrition, Recipe, Uncategorized

Written By: Nancy A. Palermo, MD Edited by: Thrive Carolinas Condiments are a staple in most kitchens, adding flavor and depth to our meals. But while they enhance taste, many condiments come loaded with hidden calories, salt, sugar, and additives that can sneak into our diets. In our upcoming Thrive Cooking Class, we’ll teach you how to use and make healthier condiments that pack flavor without sacrificing your health. The Hidden Dangers of Common Condiments Before you grab your favorite condiment, here are a few things to keep in mind: Avoid Inflammatory Oils Many condiments contain unhealthy fats, such as vegetable, canola, and sunflower oils, which can contribute to inflammation. Always check the label and opt for healthier alternatives. Watch for Artificial Flavors and Additives Condiments often contain artificial flavors, added...

The Science Behind an Apple a Day

September 26, 2024

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

The Science Behind an Apple a Day Nancy A. Palermo MD Everyone knows the saying,” An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” While this cliché may not be entirely true, there is enough evidence that apples have nutritional value to be considered health-promoting food. Current research into the power of food shows there are real reasons this powerful fruit might just reduce your doctor’s visits. Apples are nutritional powerhouses. Providing 4 gm of fiber, Vitamin C, and K, but more importantly, one apple can provide 22% of the phenolic antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that help to neutralize free radicals in the body, which can lead to tissue damage. Getting sufficient antioxidants is associated with a reduction in cancer cell proliferation, a reduction in damage to our DNA, a reduction...

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My Journey Overcoming an Eating Disorder

February 20, 2024

Health Coaching, Healthy Eating, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Nutrition

[caption id="attachment_4141" align="alignleft" width="300"] Trish Bennett[/caption] National Eating Disorder Awareness Week is February 26th - March 3rd. 28.8 million Americans will suffer from an eating disorder in their lifetime. Eating disorders can affect anyone and carry an increased risk of suicide and medical complications. I want to share my personal story with all of you, hoping it may resonate with you or someone you love. Suffering from bulimia and then anorexia for a decade, I weighed 79 pounds at the height of my disease. To put it bluntly, I should be dead right now. At age 30, I thought I had overcome it, but I would then trade one obsession for another (isn’t that always the case for addictive personalities). [caption id="attachment_11271" align="alignright" width="187"] This is me when I...

addiction Eating Disorder functional nutritionist life coach overcoming

It is Not All in Your Head: A Discussion of the Role Lifestyle and Diet Play in Mental Disease

October 31, 2023

Functional and Integrative Medicine, Health Coaching, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Uncategorized

Nancy A. Palermo MD We have always suspected that ultra-processed diets were linked to chronic diseases, including psychiatric diseases like depression and anxiety, but a recently published in JAMA (September 2023) showed that women who consumed the most ultra-processed foods (foods high in salt, sugar, refined carbohydrates, hydrogenated oils, and artificial additives) were 50% more likely to suffer from depression than those women who avoided these foods. This is yet another study to support the fact that mental disorders are not distinct entities and have a tremendous overlap with other physical disorders. A poor diet can largely influence both mental disorders and physical disorders. Some researchers, like Dr. Christopher Palmer, a Harvard Psychiatrist and researcher and author of Brain Energy, have even suggested that many mental disorders can...

More Evidence to Support Primary Prevention in Breast Cancer

September 26, 2023

Dr NP, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Nancy's articles, Nutrition, Uncategorized

More Evidence to Support Primary Prevention in Breast Cancer Dr. Nancy A. Palermo MD A landmark study published in BMJ of Oncology by researchers at the University of Edinburgh looked at the impact of 29 cancers in individuals ages 14 to 49 in over 200 countries over 30 years. The data was disturbing as it showed a 79% increase in the incidence of cancers in individuals less than age 50 over the 30-year period. This accounted for over 3.26 million cases. The researchers postulated that it is not genetic factors contributing to this increase but rather environmental factors like our diet high in processing and added sugars, alcohol use, smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, and environmental toxins and influencers. Our genes have not changed in the past 30 years, but...

The Undeniable Health Benefits of a Plant-based Diet

September 21, 2023

Dr NP, Healthy Eating, Healthy Life, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Medicine, Nancy's articles, Nutrition, Uncategorized

By Nancy Palermo Lietz, MD “The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will instruct his patient in the care of the human frame in diet and the cause and prevention of diseases. “ Thomas Edison Americans have an obsession with nutrition, diet, and weight loss. Countless books on the subjects hit the bestseller list, only to be replaced by the next publication in print. It should be no surprise that Dr. Colin Campbell’s book, The China Study, quickly hit the bestseller list. His epidemiologic project demonstrated thousands of associations between dietary factors and disease. The most relevant finding, however, was that those individuals who ate the most animal-based foods had the most chronic disease. More importantly, his findings launched thousands of studies in nutrition that...

plant based diet

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Supporting Your Natural Detoxification Systems

Counting Your Macros and Enjoying What You Eat

Optimizing Bones for Your Future Health

More Evidence to Support Primary Prevention in Breast Cancer

Cooking with Condiments: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The Science Behind an Apple a Day

My Journey Overcoming an Eating Disorder

It is Not All in Your Head: A Discussion of the Role Lifestyle and Diet Play in Mental Disease

More Evidence to Support Primary Prevention in Breast Cancer

The Undeniable Health Benefits of a Plant-based Diet

Where is a Patient to Go? Planning Unplanned Medical Care

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