Aspire Magazine: Inspiration for a Woman's Soul.(TM) Oct/Nov 2014 - Featuring Louise Hay | Page 72

hormone that stimulates hunger in the brain. Gherlin makes food more exciting to the brain, especially when it is high in fat and calories. 3. Y  our diet influences your gut bacteria, and your gut bacteria influence your brain. According to neuroscientists, the good bacteria in the gut, which they call “the gut microbiome,” acts as auxiliary DNA. Essentially, what you eat controls the makeup of your gut bacteria, and these bacteria can change how your genes function. In other words, if you are eating a diet that promotes healthy gut bacteria, they in turn can influence a healthy body, regardless of your genetic predispositions.60 responsible for how you feel, how you act, what you focus on, whether you sleep or not, your overall health, and your overall enjoyment of life. When you take care of your gut, you take care of your whole bodymind. The above is an excerpt from Loving Yourself to Great Health: Thoughts & Food – the Ultimate Diet by Louise Hay, Ahlea Khadro, Heather Dane, published by Hay House (October 7, 2014) available in bookstores or online at www.HayHouse.com. Read Online! Heather Dane - Heather is a writer, researcher, and certified professional coach specializing in resolving chronic health conditions, addictions, eating disorders, methylation challenges, and out-of-balance lifestyles. She believes that there is no such thing as an incurable illness—there is only an invitation to come back to loving yourself. Visit www.HeatherDane.com. Another important takeaway from the studies in neuroscience is that your gut bacteria are constantly speaking to your brain. The gut microbiome influences how the brain is wired from infancy to adulthood, along with moods, the ability to learn, memory, and how to deal with stress. When the gut microbiome is healthy, it sends happy signals to the brain; when it’s unhealthy, it can send signals of anxiety. Because of this signaling, neuroscientists are starting to investigate how to manage gut bacteria to treat mood and stress-related disorders, such as depression, IBS, and IBD.61 In other words, what you eat matters. What you digest or absorb matters. Your gut is 72 www.AspireMAG.net | October / November 2014 “Courage sta showing up rts with and letting ourselves b e seen.” Brene B rown