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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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