I have a nasty habit of eating when I’m stressed. During these trying times, I crave crunchy food, but instead of going for harmless carrots or celery, I gravitate toward sugar-intensive sweets such as Jolly Ranchers and Tootsie Roll Pops. Sometimes, I find myself digressing to chocolate covered malt balls and yogurt covered pretzels, then spiraling downward to any chocolate, any texture. Now, thankfully, I’ve managed to ditch the junk for apples or pears (most of the time), but the situation serves as one real-life example of how a high-stress lifestyle result in a high-sugar diet. Combined with a lack of exercise, we’ve got a tweaked-out target for Type 2 Diabetes.

Author David Spero, RN, explores the toxic environments that lead to this disease in his new book, DIABETES: SUGAR-COATED CRISIS—Who Gets It, Who Profits and How to Stop It (New Society Publishers). Type 2 diabetes, he says, is a social pandemic, caused by the aforementioned high sugar/high stress environments, with few opportunities to exercize or to feel good about ourselves. People’s genes or behavior are usually blamed for causing the disease.

However, he writes that social causes may have a greater impact. Lower income families, for example, may not have the means to join a gym, and processed foods are often much less expensive than fresh fruit, vegetables, and lean meats. The media enhances the dilemma by flashing repeated images of fast food and soda pop. Author Spero makes some interesting points, and proposes some useful ideas for patients, families, and health care providers interested in bringing about positive change. (Learn more at www.davidsperorn.com)

BACK TO THE FUTURE: MEDIEVAL WOUND CARE?

In the middle ages, doctors were known to apply maggots to chronic wounds; gross, I know, but these creatures eat dead tissue but leave healthy tissue alone. Now, scientists in the UK have developed wound-dressings impregnated with the active maggot components. The idea is that, as well as protecting the wound, the dressings will speed up healing without the “yuk factor” involved with using live maggots. A tissue-regenerating dressing is being developed commercially by AGT Sciences in Bradford, UK, but it will take reportedly at least another three years before a product is ready to market. Right now, they’re still working out the “bugs.” (Sorry! I couldn’t resist!)

SAY OM, NOT OUCH

If you meditate regularly, everyday annoyances such as a stubbed toe or a papercut may cause less distress, one study suggests. Researchers compared 12 healthy veteran meditators to 12 other healthy adults who had received only an intro Transcendental Meditation course. After submerging their fingers in near-boiling water for 30 seconds, all experienced the same level of discomfort (yow!), but the longtime TM practitioners showed up to 50 percent less activity in some brain regions in response to the pain. While we already knew that regular meditation creates a more balanced outlook and helps individuals better cope with stress, the recent study also suggests a fundamental change in how the brain functions. Lesson learned? Stop worrying and start meditating!

CANCER FIGHTING MUSHROOMS!

Did you know that Portabella and Crimini mushrooms (Italian, brown, resemble white) reportedly rank as high as broccoli and red peppers in cancer-fighting prowess, as one study suggests? The two fungi carry an Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity (ORAC) rating or 9.7 and 9.5, respectably, compared with 12 for broccoli, 10 for red peppers, and 5 for carrots and green beans. ORAC measures a food’s antioxidant activity. With that in mind, try a portabella mushroom sandwich with roasted red peppers for a huge health boost!

Another tip: If that yummy veggie sandwich is not enough after a workout, give yourself 12 ounces of cherry juice for dessert. A report from the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that amount may help reduce workout-related soreness and strength loss.

GO FOR THE GREEN

This column always contains tips on keeping our body, mind, and spirit healthy. But what about our planet? There have been many news reports, not to mention Al Gore’s movie “An Inconvenient Truth”, about the causes and frightening effects of global warming. Recently I came across a few organizations that give people a way to help fight global warming by offsetting our “carbon footprint.” Huh? Anyone who drives an automobile, flies in an airplane, or uses electricity is responsible for emitting a certain amount of carbon dioxide, and that probably includes you.

You can reduce this footprint, first through conservation: drive less (walk, bike, or take public transportation), turn down the thermostat and/or buy locally produced goods. In addition, organizations such as TerraPass (www.terrapass.com) and Carbon Counter (www.carboncounter.org) will help you determine: a) how many tons of carbon dioxide you emit each year and b) translate that to a dollar amount that you can donate toward renewable energy projects, tree planting, and other carbon-reducing offset projects worldwide. So as we keep our bodies healthy, we can help keep our planet healthy, too.

TAKE A HIKE: 11 MUST-HAVE ITEMS TO BRING ALONG

Speaking of Mother Earth, hiking is a great, eco-friendly way to enjoy her natural beauty, especially as the leaves change from green to glorious golds and reds. But before you take off for the wilderness, make sure to stock your backpack with these essentials for good health, comfort, and safety (courtesy of Natural Health): Keep this list in a handy place, and check it each time you head out to the woods, to be sure you don’t forget any of these crucial items!