Brain

It’s important to keep your brain healthy, especially as you age. Mental decline is one of the most common symptoms of aging and it inflicts most, if not all, elderly people. With the elderly population on the rise, it’s important to promote a healthy brain. Most people get the feeling sometimes that they can’t forget ...click here to read more

Heart troubles are no laughing matter. From the dawn of civilization, the heart was recognized as one of the vital organs central to our very existence. Where do we keep our fondest memories and our top secrets? In our hearts. What do men offer women (aside from their hand) in exchange for her love and ...click here to read more

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory condition that commonly occurs in women that can affect nearly any part of the body. It is not known how this disease manifests, but it is known to be an autoimmune disease—when your body’s immune system attacks its own tissue. Lupus attacks tissue in the joints, skin, kidneys, blood, heart, ...click here to read more

Those who grew up with a sibling of the opposite sex may tell you that their parents treated them differently. Girls are usually treated more delicately while boys are treated rougher. According to a new psychological study, father’s brains respond differently when interacting with daughters versus sons. Fathers more affectionate toward daughters A study from ...click here to read more

There are a few indulgences that we will never tire of, and chocolate is the best example. An age-old treat that’s exquisite in its simplicity, chocolate is definitely everyone’s favorite. A perfect complement to a cup of espresso… a nice token of appreciation… the ultimate antidepressant… the list of its versatile usages and praiseworthy qualities ...click here to read more

Just go with your gut… What does your gut feeling tell you?… Do you have the guts to do it?… In all these cases, when we mention “guts” we usually imply intuition or, as in the latter example, courage. When we’re making a cool-headed decision, we’re using our logic and reason—in other words, our brain ...click here to read more

When somebody mentions the word exercise, usually we imagine heart-pumping workouts or lifting heavy weights. We associate such intense activities with exhaustion that one would feel after a training session which leaves us less inclined to the idea of exercise at all. What most people do not realize is that walking is a great form ...click here to read more

When was the last time you danced? Perhaps at a friend’s birthday party? Sharing a romantic moment with your partner when you hear a favorite song from your youth? Or maybe you regularly dance in the kitchen as you cook? Whatever the reason, if you’re dancing regularly, you’re doing your health a huge service—particularly your ...click here to read more

The brain is arguably the most important organ in the human body, and it is only natural that we take good care of it, especially as we start getting older. We at Bel Marra appreciate all the brain does for us, as it is the main interpreter of the world around us. Here are some ...click here to read more

March 13 to 19 was Brain Awareness Week, a global celebration launched by The Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives. In recognition, Bel Marra Health has gathered articles with a focus on brain health that include information on blood clots in the brain, brain fog, ADHD, and more. What causes blood clots in the brain? All ...click here to read more

Researchers from The Scripps Research Institute have found a specific hormone that may trigger fat burning. The new study was published in Nature Communications, and it identified a connection between the neuropeptide hormone FLP-7 and serotonin, which led specifically to fat burning. To conduct their study, assistant professor Surpriya Srinivasan and research associate Lavinia Palamiuc ...click here to read more

Stroke recovery can be improved with a new treatment that creates new nerve synapses – essential for learning – in the brain. Researcher Marcela Pekna explained, “More nerve sprouts and connections between nerve cells are created so that the remaining cells can take over functions that the dead cells once had.” The researchers focused on ...click here to read more

Cognition and brain structure can be affected by dysglycemia – blood glucose abnormalities – in older adults. The researchers conducted a cross-sectional and longitudinal cohort study, examining the association of dysglycemia with cognitive function. The researchers found that dysglycemia correlated with a higher number of brain infarcts, white matter hyperintensities volume, and decreased total white ...click here to read more

Cognition in older adults may be improved with moderate post-lunch napping, according to a study. The researchers analyzed self-reported data on napping habits along with cognitive assessments of older Chinese adults. The participants were categorized into one of the following groups based on their napping behavior: non-nappers (0 minutes), short nappers (less than 30 minutes), ...click here to read more