Gregory Charlop's Blog, page 3
July 16, 2020
How to save sports
Coronavirus is out of control. What can we do to salvage the 2020 football, basketball, and baseball seasons?
With the NBA and NFL on the brink of a comeback, let's take a look at how to keep the players and fans safe. Two NBA players recently tested positive for coronavirus in the Orlando Bubble. Baseball is struggling, as players are understandable concerned for their safety and the lack of testing.
In my consultations with professional athletes, I recommend the following best-practices if we want to salvage sports this year:
Use wellness techniques like enhanced sleep and dietary interventions to boost our immune systems
Play outdoors rather than indoors
Enable social distancing at stadiums and facilitate hand hygiene with alcohol stations and allowing fans to bring their own alcohol hand gels
Frequent testing for players
Players, coaches, and fans should avoid the games when sick, elderly, or if they suffer from chronic medical conditions.
Click below to catch my interview on CBS about the steps we must take to resume sports safely.
I'm available to help you! Feel free to contact me directly to learn how to optimize your sports performance.
Dr. Charlop is a sports medicine and performance expert and the author of Why Doctors Skip Breakfast: Wellness Tips to Reverse Aging, Treat Depression, and Get a Good Night’s Sleep.
July 10, 2020
Ready to restart sports? Here are the six things we must do
If you’re anything like me, you’re itching to go to a ballgame. But, is it wise? According to the Texas Medical Association, attending in-person sporting events is riskier than flying in an airplane, shopping in the mall, or going to the movies.
How can we make our national pastimes like football, basketball, and baseball as safe as possible for fans and players? Here are the six keys to safe sports:
Sleep - Sleep boosts the immune system and likely reduces the risk of coronavirus infection. Players and fans should have at least 7-8 hours of high-quality shuteye. Don’t stay up late before the game! Coaches should avoid early-morning practice to protect players’ sleep. Leagues should minimize traveling across time zones to combat jetlag and reduce player sleep disruption.
Diet - Players and fans should eat a diet rich in foods and supplements that boost the immune system and help protect against viral illnesses. In addition to a usual healthy diet full of veggies, nuts, and fish, folks should intentionally add zinc, aged garlic, and probiotics to their daily diets.
Outdoor Stadiums - The risk of viral transmission is much lower outdoors than indoors. Fresh air and sunshine reduce your danger in case someone near you has the virus. If possible, I recommend all games be played outside. Stadiums should never be at capacity to allow for space between fans. Finally, we should be cautious about selling alcohol at sporting events because drunk fans are less likely to practice social distancing.
Personal protective measures - Fans and players must frequently wash and alcohol their hands. Fans should bring alcohol-based hand gel to games and stadiums should install dispensers throughout the ballpark. Fans should wear masks. Masks protect those around you, and they reduce your risk of catching COVID in case your neighbor has it. When possible, players should have helmets designed to minimize splatter from coughing or heavy breathing.
Frequent testing for players - Close-contact sports like football and basketball have a high-risk of transmission between players. Leagues must regularly test players who may have the disease but not show symptoms.
Be smart - Stay home if you’re sick. Don’t attend games if you’re in a high-risk group. The elderly and people with chronic medical conditions should skip out on stadiums and enjoy sports from home.
It's our responsibility to do everything we can to protect the players and the fans. Now, let's go out there and enjoy some fun in the sun!
The right way to safely reopen sports
Contact Dr. Charlop to arrange a free telemedicine consultation (California or Texas residents). Or, check out his new book, Why Doctors Skip Breakfast: Wellness Tips to Reverse Aging, Treat Depression, and Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Ready to go to restart sports? Here are the six things we must do
If you’re anything like me, you’re itching to go to a ballgame. But, is it wise? According to the Texas Medical Association, attending in-person sporting events is riskier than flying in an airplane, shopping in the mall, or going to the movies.
How can we make our national pastimes like football, basketball, and baseball as safe as possible for fans and players? Here are the six keys to safe sports:
Sleep - Sleep boosts the immune system and likely reduces the risk of coronavirus infection. Players and fans should have at least 7-8 hours of high-quality shuteye. Don’t stay up late before the game! Coaches should avoid early-morning practice to protect players’ sleep. Leagues should minimize traveling across time zones to combat jetlag and reduce player sleep disruption.
Diet - Players and fans should eat a diet rich in foods and supplements that boost the immune system and help protect against viral illnesses. In addition to a usual healthy diet full of veggies, nuts, and fish, folks should intentionally add zinc, aged garlic, and probiotics to their daily diets.
Outdoor Stadiums - The risk of viral transmission is much lower outdoors than indoors. Fresh air and sunshine reduce your danger in case someone near you has the virus. If possible, I recommend all games be played outside. Stadiums should never be at capacity to allow for space between fans. Finally, we should be cautious about selling alcohol at sporting events because drunk fans are less likely to practice social distancing.
Personal protective measures - Fans and players must frequently wash and alcohol their hands. Fans should bring alcohol-based hand gel to games and stadiums should install dispensers throughout the ballpark. Fans should wear masks. Masks protect those around you, and they reduce your risk of catching COVID in case your neighbor has it. When possible, players should have helmets designed to minimize splatter from coughing or heavy breathing.
Frequent testing for players - Close-contact sports like football and basketball have a high-risk of transmission between players. Leagues must regularly test players who may have the disease but not show symptoms.
Be smart - Stay home if you’re sick. Don’t attend games if you’re in a high-risk group. The elderly and people with chronic medical conditions should skip out on stadiums and enjoy sports from home.
It's our responsibility to do everything we can to protect the players and the fans. Now, let's go out there and enjoy some fun in the sun!
The right way to safely reopen sports
Contact Dr. Charlop to arrange a free telemedicine consultation (California or Texas residents). Or, check out his new book, Why Doctors Skip Breakfast: Wellness Tips to Reverse Aging, Treat Depression, and Get a Good Night’s Sleep
July 1, 2020
Dr. Gregory Charlop shares the secrets to BEAT depression on ABC
I was proud to join the ABC TV team in Washington, D.C. today. We discussed the B.E.A.T method to defeat depression and anxiety. Without pills or drugs, here’s how many folks in my telemedicine clinic battle depression:
Bedtime - Sleep 7-8 hours/day and get tested for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
Eating - A Mediterranean diet heavy in olive oil, fish, nuts, and turmeric will reduce symptoms of depression
Activity - Regular, moderate exercise. Avoid gyms during the pandemic. Instead, spend time in nature, try socially distant walking groups, or take some online YouTube classes at home
Telemedicine and therapy - Find a telehealth therapist from the comfort of your living room. No need to change your PJs!
Click the image to watch the interview on ABC:
ABC Washington interviews Gregory Charlop, MD about mental health and depression.
Contact Dr. Charlop to arrange a free telemedicine consultation (California residents). Or, check out his new book, Why Doctors Skip Breakfast: Wellness Tips to Reverse Aging, Treat Depression, and Get a Good Night’s Sleep
June 21, 2020
What it’s like to try intermittent fasting
A day in the life of intermittent fasting
The first rays of sun stream through your bedroom windows. It’s 7 am and time to face the day.
You get dressed and head downstairs. Beverly, your French Bulldog, is wild with excitement. Walk time! You grab a quick shot of ketone esters and head out. On these chilly mornings, you enjoy a brisk walk in a t-shirt and shorts. The cold is refreshing (and anti-aging), and the sun gives you a nice jolt of vitamin D. Since it’s still early and the UV index is low, you don’t bother with sunscreen.
Your morning walk helps you maintain a healthy circadian rhythm and restores balance to your melatonin production. When you start your day with some sunshine, you sleep better at night. On the way out, you stop by The Coffee Bean for a fresh cup of organic coffee. Since it’s before noon, you drink it black.
The giant green oak trees and crisp air are just what the doctor ordered. By the time you reach the park, that annoying sales manager from yesterday feels like a distant memory. Beverly’s happy because today you’re visiting her favorite spot across town. While she plays with her friend Danny the dalmatian, you sip on your warm brew and catch up on a few emails.
When the playdate is over, you head home. You feel great!
Due to the pandemic, you mostly work from your home office. It’s now 9 am, and it’s starting to get hot! You take a brief break from writing and crack open a black cold brew coffee from the fridge. The ice cracks as you pour your favorite frosted mug.
It’s 11 am now, and you’re crushing it at work. You finished that report and most of the items on your to-do list. Ever since you started intermittent fasting, your mornings are more productive than ever. You have more energy and focus. Even your boss noticed. She asked about your secret to success, but you just smile and shrug your shoulders.
Lunch isn’t until noon, but you find yourself gravitating towards the kitchen. Rather than food, you grab a cold can of lime sparkling water. You always keep a case or two of Le Croix or Bubly in the fridge so you have something fun to drink during your fasts. With their wide variety of favors (and zero calories), you never feel bored while you’re fasting.
It’s twelve, TIME TO EAT! Since you finished dinner at 6 pm, you fasted for 18 hours. Easy peasy! You prepare a nice salad drenched in olive oil and lemon juice. Healthy eating is part of your lifestyle, and you enjoy trying as many fresh veggies as you can find. But, since you fast regularly, you don’t feel guilty when you have an occasional doughnut or cake. Life is all about balance. With all your fasting, a sweet here or there is nothing to worry about.
Your friends always ask you if you feel hungry before lunch, but truthfully, you rarely do. The coffee, ketones, and sparkling water keep you satisfied. And, you like how you feel when you’re fasting. You’ve never been as productive or energetic. Even your mood is better.
Ready to give intermittent fasting a try? Here are some best practices to make it easy and successful:
The first few days of fasting may be tough. Your body needs time to adjust. Don’t give up!
Drink plenty of water while you fast. The goal is to avoid calories, not to become dehydrated!
You’re allowed to enjoy black coffee, sparkling water, and unsweetened teas during your fast. Try mixing it up with different drinks to prevent boredom during your fasts. I tell everyone to keep a few cases of different sparkling waters in the fridge. Ketone esters may boost your energy and improve the quality of your fasts.
Your goal should be to fast for about 16-18 hours per day. You may need to work your way up to that level by starting with a 12-hour fast. Remember, your time asleep counts as part of your fast!
Most people fast by eating an early dinner and skipping breakfast (hence the book Why Doctors Skip Breakfast). However, you may prefer to eat breakfast, have a late lunch around 2 pm, and skip dinner if that’s easier for your lifestyle. Do whatever works best for you.
Speak with your doctor before you start any new dietary plan. She will review your medical history to see if you have any reason to avoid intermittent fasting.
Have fun! If you miss a day here or there, don’t worry about it. The goal is to fast most of the time, not every single day.
Feel free to contact me to learn more about intermittent fasting and other healthy lifestyle improvements. I’m available for telemedicine services throughout California.
Gregory Charlop, MD
June 14, 2020
The audiobook of Why Doctors Skip Breakfast is now on sale!
Big news! The audiobook of Why Doctors Skip Breakfast: Wellness Tips to Reverse Aging, Treat Depression, and Get a Good Night’s Sleep is now available from Audible and other audiobook retailers.
Enjoy the book while you’re driving in the car, jogging, or lifting weights. In less than 5 hours, you’ll learn:
Why and how you should practice intermittent fasting
What is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? Could that be why you’re so tired?
Which foods and supplements will keep you young?
Could you have depression? What can you do to feel better?
How can you boost your athletic performance?
Here’s a 3-minute sample from the audiobook. Give it a listen!
Download your audiobook copy of Why Doctors Skip Breakfast today from Audible.
Download Why Doctors Skip Breakfast
June 5, 2020
KRON 4 interviews Dr. Charlop about depression and mental health
Tune in as KRON 4 in San Francisco interviews Dr. Gregory Charlop about depression for Mental Health Awareness Month. Dr. Charlop shares his B.E.A.T. method for defeating depression.
Bedtime: Make sure you are sleeping the right way
Eating: The Mediterranean diet will fight depression
Activity: Regular moderate aerobic exercise is best
Telemedicine: Stay in touch with your therapist and mental health professional from home.
Watch the interview:
May 31, 2020
Football player Derrick Furlow Jr. shares the secrets to career and health
Derrick Furlow Jr shares the story of his rise from inner-city kid to professional football player. His faith and work ethic powered him past adversity, including a season-ending knee injury while still in school.
Furlow teaches us that we can overcome almost anything life throws our way, as long as we have the right attitude. After retiring from pro football, Furlow authored What's Next? How to Transition Like a Champion. He now teaches retired athletes how to transition to life after sports.
Some highlights from the interview:
What it's like to recover from a major knee surgery
How athletes can win with a plant-based diet
Learn about his journey from disadvantaged youth to entrepreneur.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Gregory Charlop, MD (@gregorycharlopmd) on May 31, 2020 at 1:58pm PDT
You can reach him at https://derrickfurlow.com/.
May 25, 2020
FOX 7 interviews Dr. Charlop about telemedicine
I was proud to join FOX 7 in Austin, TX, to discuss telemedicine.
We explore some of the advantages of telehealth, including:
It’s convenient - no need to deal with traffic, parking, or even changing out of PJs!
It’s affordable - many insurance plans offer discounted access to telemedicine. Remember, the insurance companies prefer you make a video call rather than have you head into the clinic.
Telemedicine is useful for most medical visits, including: chronic disease maintenance, dermatology, preoperative checks, medication refills, and more.
Easy access, even if you live in a rural or remote area.
No risk of catching COVID-19!
Watch the full interview below:
May 11, 2020
CBS Sacramento Interviews Gregory Charlop about Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Due to the coronavirus and the quarantines, there’s an explosion of depression and anxiety. CBS in Sacramento interviews Dr. Gregory Charlop about his four-step method to B.E.A.T. depression.
