February is a month dedicated to the heart – in more ways than one. This is the time to celebrate love and give your sweetheart a valentine. This is also the month to wear red and call attention to prevention of the No. 1 killer of women – heart disease.

Nutrition researchers in the LSU AgCenter believe a form of starch may have a greater effect on metabolism and fat deposition than other types of dietary fiber. The LSU AgCenter research team has shown that fermentation of natural resistant starch in the large intestine is an important and previously underestimated mechanism in weight management.

Recent clinical trials and ongoing studies have emphasized the importance of physical activity or combined physical activity and improved diet in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Americans put on anywhere from 5 to 8 pounds during the holidays. There are safe and not-so-safe methods of losing those few extra pounds, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

February is reserved as American Heart Month in order to raise awareness about the prevention and management of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States in both men and women and accounts for almost 700,000 deaths each year or 29% of all U.S. deaths.

Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for diseases such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy says declining levels of physical activity may help explain why childhood metabolic diseases are becoming more common.

(Distributed August 2004) Although studies like the National Nutrition and Health Examination Survey and the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) collect data on the general U.S. population, few surveys investigate dietary intake at regional, state or in rural areas, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

Obesity has increased tremendously in the last few years in both children and adults. The surge has raised the incidence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

We rarely think about how our health will be in later years. A healthy lifestyle, along with regular physical activity, can prevent some of the problems associated with the aging process, according to an LSU AgCenter nutrition expert.

In societies that consume soy products, the populations have a lower incidence of osteoporosis. The soy components thought to be responsible for this are the isoflavones genistein and daidzein.

One quarter of all U.S. children ages 2 to 17 are obese, according to the Center on an Aging Society. Several more million children are at risk. Obese children are more likely to remain obese in adulthood, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

Scientists are learning about the role of genetic and non-genetic factors in cardiovascular, metabolic and hormonal responses to aerobic exercise through a three-part investigation begun 12 years ago, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

Hypertension or high blood pressure is often called the silent killer, because it may cause no symptoms. High blood pressure makes your heart work harder than it should to pump blood. Includes warning signs.

"Try to add more fresh fruit, juice and a variety of vegetables in your diet to improve your health and reduce heart disease risks," urges LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy. The USDA Food Guide Pyramid recommends 2-3 servings of fruits and 3-4 servings of vegetables daily.

Carbonated beverage intake has increased significantly among America’s youth over a 20-year period. One soft drink a day has been linked to 60 percent increase in the development of obesity over time, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

Hypertension, better known as high blood pressure, is called the silent killer because there often are no noticeable symptoms. Find out who's at risk and the dangers of hypertension in this fact sheet. (PDF Format Only)

Being overweight is a fast-growing health issue affecting children and adolescents. Many causes contribute to the problem, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

In the past, cardiovascular disease was thought to be caused by diet alone, but today health experts are beginning to realize that it is in part due to inflammation of blood vessel walls. A large study was done in England showed that foods rich in vitamin C can lower levels of inflammatory markers in their blood stream.

Both obesity and being overweight have increased significantly in recent years, with nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults being one or the other. Whether this weight gain has resulted more from an increasing sedentary lifestyle or from less exercise is under debate, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

White adolescents are more occupied with thinness than black adolescents. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy examines this phenomenon found in a Pennington Biomedical Research Center study.

Dietary fat is important in determining cardiovascular health and risk of heart disease development. Some fats actually help protect against heart disease.

Eating foods rich in antioxidants is one part of a diet and exercise program that protects against chronic diseases, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy. A recently published study bears out this claim.

Americans each eat more than 16 pounds of fresh tomatoes a year and consume the equivalent of 79 pounds in processed tomatoes annually. Tomatoes are a rich source of antioxidants, including vitamin C and lycopene, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

May is designated each year as a time to help educate people about the importance of preventing and treating high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and the chief risk factor for stroke and heart failure. It also can lead to kidney damage, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

A new study shows that Americans consumed more calories over the past 30 years. This points to the increase in overweight and obesity in the United States.

A new eating plan can help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by lowering blood pressure. DASH - Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension - is rich in low-fat dairy foods, fruits and vegetables.

Active children are more likely to become active adults. As many children grow into adolescence, however, their physical activity levels decline, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month, sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, to help educate people about the importance of preventing and treating high blood pressure.

Father’s Day is a good time to focus on men’s health. Although many people think of osteoporosis as a woman’s disease, it is also a serious health problem for men, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

Learn the signs of diabetes -- Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes. (PDF Format Only)

"Every 20 seconds, osteoporosis causes a fracture," warns an LSU AgCenter nutrition education expert. Specialist Donna Montgomery says osteoporosis is a painful, disfiguring disease that strikes one in every two women and one in every eight men above age 50.