Building Your Foundation: A Functional Podcast

The stretch from Thanksgiving to the New Year often fills our calendars with travel, events, and endless to-do lists, leading many of us to neglect our own health and well-being. In fact, stress has become as much a holiday tradition as mistletoe and eggnog. Join us in this episode as she provides practical strategies to move beyond feeling frazzled and fatigued, helping you feel more like Santa’s...

In this episode, we discuss: Slowing Down and Choosing Presence Over Perfection: Discover the "pause before yes" rule before accepting new invitations and how to set a daily intention for how you want to feel. We emphasize that connection matters more than flawless plans. Consistency Over Intensity: Learn why staying consistent with foundational habits—like aiming for 20–30 minutes of da...

Are you among the growing number of patients dissatisfied with conventional healthcare? Recent studies show a dramatic drop in trust in physicians, falling from 71% to just 40% as of early 2024 . This shift has driven rising interest in Functional Medicine (FM), an approach that prioritizes empathy, collaboration, and prevention over procedures and prescriptions. In this episode, drawing on insigh...

Tired of the same dinner routine? Join Dr. Nancy A. Palermo, MD, as she dives into why complacency in the kitchen often mirrors a decline in our overall health . Many Americans rely on the same few meals, perhaps just chicken and salad, leaving them uninspired and often tempted by expensive, unhealthy takeout. While eating out may seem more manageable, it usually comes with hidden costs, including...

Episode Description: As the air cools and the leaves change, it's officially pumpkin season—and the real pumpkin deserves the spotlight beyond café drinks. Join us on the Thrive Carolinas platform with Dr. Nancy A. Palermo  as we explore the incredible health benefits and versatility of this fall favorite. In this episode, categorized under Healthy Eating, Lifestyle Medicine, and Nutrition, w...

In this episode, "Food Diversity Can Help Optimize Health," we dive deep into the crucial connection between gut health and overall wellness . Discover why we’re only as healthy as our gut . The gut microbiome—a complex ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and viruses—plays a significant role in our metabolism, immune system, and even our emotional well-being, as about 70% of the body’s neurotr...

In this episode, we tackle The Silent Epidemic of Bone Loss , exploring why strong bones start with understanding how your body maintains them. Osteoporosis currently affects over 10 million Americans, with an additional 44 million at risk due to declining bone density. This disease disproportionately impacts women (over 80% of those affected), and annually leads to 2 million fractures, costing th...

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in women, accounting for 30% of all diagnoses each year . With the lifetime risk now standing at 1 in 8 women, and rates continuing to rise, especially among women under 50, proactive health management is crucial. Join us as we discuss the critical strategies for primary prevention —taking proactive steps to reduce the risk of breast cancer before it st...

In this episode, we explore the most powerful tool for optimizing your health: a balanced diet. We argue that the only way to truly control your diet is to make cooking at home a non-negotiable priority. If you are struggling with weight or inflammation, we explain why cooking is a key step to taking control of your diet, even if you are trying to make healthy choices when eating out. When you coo...

Description: Join Dr. Nancy Palermo from Thrive in this insightful episode as we uncover the often-overlooked nutritional powerhouse: macadamia nuts . While almonds and walnuts frequently take the spotlight, macadamias offer a unique profile that makes them a true asset to healthy eating. Discover the science-backed benefits of these creamy, buttery nuts, including their distinction for being: Low...

Are you tired of the endless parade of wellness fads and biotech buzzwords promising shortcuts to a longer, healthier life? In this insightful episode, inspired by the "Yoga & Learn September: Non-Negotiable Habits for Longevity" event, we cut through the noise to reveal what truly matters for lasting health and increased lifespan. Join Dr. Nancy A. Palermo, MD, and the experts from...

Is Coca-Cola's new cane sugar version truly a healthier choice for Americans? In this illuminating episode, inspired by insights from Dr. Tracy Larson, MD, and the integrative health experts at Thrive Carolinas, we cut through the marketing to uncover the truth about sugary beverages. Traditionally, U.S. Coca-Cola has used high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), while many other countries opt for ca...

Join us for an insightful episode as we explore the surprising benefits of creatine , a compound once known primarily for athletic performance, now recognized for its powerful impact on brain health. Dr. Amy Fletcher delves into how creatine can be a valuable addition to your wellness routine, complementing essential foundations like nutritious food, exercise, sleep, and stress management. In this...

In today's digital age, health advice is everywhere, especially on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, often filling gaps where patients might have unanswered questions after healthcare visits. But with the increasing sophistication of AI in content creation, and a deluge of information at our fingertips, many are left wondering: who can you really trust for health information o...

Have you heard the popular health advice to "Get 10,000 steps a day"? In this episode, we dive into the surprising truth behind this widely adopted recommendation. You might be shocked to learn that the 10,000-step goal didn't originate from medical research ; instead, it began as a Japanese pedometer marketing campaign in the 1960s. Despite its lack of clinical evidence, it has bee...

Join us for an insightful episode as we dive deep into the world of sun protection. As we navigate mid-2025, sun exposure remains a year-round health concern , not just a summer issue. This episode is your essential guide to choosing the most effective and safest sunscreen options available today, refined with the latest insights from the Thrive team. In this episode, you'll learn: Why daily...

Are you neglecting a crucial part of your sun protection routine? While most of us remember to protect our skin, safeguarding our eyes from the sun is just as crucial and often overlooked, often dismissed as a mere fashion statement. In this insightful episode, we dive deep into why your eyes deserve as much care and attention as your skin. We uncover the hidden dangers of sun exposure to your eye...

Join us on the Thrive Carolinas podcast as we dive into the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) 2025 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce . This essential guide helps you make informed choices about the fruits and vegetables you eat, focusing on "how that produce is grown" . In this episode, we'll explore: The Dirty Dozen : Discover the fruits and vegetables most likely to...

Summer brings the joy of outdoor adventures, but often, it also brings an unwelcome challenge: bugs ! Mosquitoes, ticks, blackflies, horseflies, and even nearly invisible "no-see-ums" can quickly turn a relaxing evening into an itchy ordeal or even a health concern, transmitting diseases like West Nile Virus, Zika, dengue, Lyme disease, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. While chemical re...

Description: As summer 2025 heats up, it's the perfect time to fire up the grill and enjoy outdoor cooking! This episode, updated from the 2024 Grilling & Toxicity Article, is packed with health-focused insights to help you enjoy delicious, healthy meals all summer long. In this episode, we'll dive into: Embracing Plant-Based Grilling : Discover how to add variety and health benefits...

As summer travel heats up, so does the conversation around new health concerns. In this essential episode, we dive into how you can stay healthy and resilient while traveling , drawing insights from the experts at Thrive Carolinas, a collaborative platform of conventional, integrative, and functional medicine practitioners. Join us as we explore the emerging Omicron subvariant, NB.1.8.1 , which ha...

Join us for practical, preventative strategies rooted in lifestyle medicine to help you feel your best this summer. In this episode, drawing on insights from Thrive Carolinas, we explore their refreshed list of Summer Wellness Tips for 2025: Do Less, Live More . We'll dive into how embracing simplicity can enhance your well-being, covering topics such as: Sun exposure and why waiting 15-20 mi...

Are you ready to explore a healthcare model focused on true health and transformation? In this episode, drawing from insights shared by Dr. Nancy A. Palermo and the philosophy behind Thrive, we delve into Functional Medicine . We discuss why the current system is described as "broken", often focusing on managing disease rather than building wellness, leading the U.S. to rank among the si...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the modern pursuit of longevity, with its focus on biohacking, cold plunges, IV drips, and influencer-endorsed supplements? What if the path to living a long, healthy life was actually much simpler and more accessible than you think? In this episode, based on insights from an article by Dr. Nancy A. Palermo published by Thrive Carolinas, we explore the real secrets t...

In this episode, we discuss a critical health issue based on insights from the Thrive Carolinas blog. We explore the potential dangers of hidden chemicals found in everyday items, particularly food packaging. Did you know that the U.S. still approves over 10,000 chemicals for use in food and packaging materials? A growing body of research indicates that many of these chemicals are endocrine disrup...