Learn the signs of diabetes -- Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes.

Older adults who consume nearly three servings of whole-grain foods daily are significantly less likely to have "metabolic syndrome," a condition that increases the chances of developing diabetes and heart disease.

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.

(Distributed October 2004) The health risks of consuming trans fat are so evident that by January 2006 the fat will have to be listed on food labels, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed September 2004) Eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, reduced-fat dairy products and whole grains may help control weight, according to LSU Agricultural Center nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed September 2004) Half the male and one-third of the female populations will develop heart disease sometime in their lives, according to LSU Agricultural Center nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(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.

Most people face the holiday season with some fear of gaining weight. The good news is that although many people gain, research suggests that the gain will probably be only 1 pound, not 5, notes LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

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.

It has been thought for some time that diet is related to strokes.There’s now evidence that fruits and vegetables help protect against stroke.

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.

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.

The problem of weight gain is increasing in the United States, with more than 60 percent of population now overweight and more than 30 percent obese. Among African-Americans, obesity rates are even higher.

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.

"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.

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

Adequate intake of milk is essential to assure strong bone calcification process in early life. Few other foods have an adequate level of calcium, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Each year, heart disease and stroke kill more than 500,000 women. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames recommends adopting heart-health goals for women developed by the American Heart Association.

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.

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.

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.

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.

(Distributed 01/31/08) February is American Heart Month. Women will again “Go Red for Women” by wearing something red or special pin to raise awareness of heart disease, women’s no. 1 killer.

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.

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.

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.

(For Release On Or After 11/2/07) Gardening is a well-documented and beneficial form of exercise. It contributes to a healthy lifestyle.

"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.

In their quest for finding new therapies for treating cancers, researchers in the LSU AgCenter and the LSU Health Sciences Center have found several natural compounds that can reduce tumor development by inhibiting angiogenesis. One of the latest is an extract from the black raspberry.

How does bone loss occur? Who is most at risk? What can you do to prevent osteoporosis? Find these answers and more in this two-page fact sheet.