The Baking as Lifestyle Medicine (BALM) Protocol is a comprehensive approach developed by Dr Kimbell The Sourdough School to integrate the health benefits of sourdough baking into daily life. Here are the key aspects of the BALM Protocol:

Holistic Approach: The BALM Protocol views baking as a means to improve physical, mental, and environmental health. It encompasses the entire process of baking, eating, and sharing bread, focusing on the connections between soil health, gut microbiome, and overall well-being.

Evidence-Based Practices: The protocol uses evidence-based interventions to prevent, treat, and manage chronic diseases. This includes using nutrient-dense ingredients and fermentation techniques that enhance the nutritional profile and digestibility of bread.

Seven Core Principles:

Increasing Fibre: Using whole grains and high-fibre ingredients to support gut health.
Promoting Diversity: Incorporating a variety of plant-based ingredients to enhance the gut microbiome.
Fermentation: Leveraging sourdough fermentation to increase nutrient bioavailability and reduce gluten load.
Boosting Antioxidants: Adding ingredients rich in antioxidants to combat inflammation.
Incorporating Probiotics: Combining baked goods with probiotic-rich foods to enhance gut health.
Reducing Refined Sugar: Minimising the use of refined sugars to improve overall health.
Supporting Mental Well-being: Fostering community and social connections through the act of baking and sharing bread.
Environmental Sustainability: By using regeneratively grown ingredients, the BALM Protocol supports sustainable farming practices that benefit soil health and biodiversity. This approach not only nourishes individuals but also promotes ecological balance.

Social Prescribing: The BALM Protocol is used by healthcare professionals to prescribe lifestyle changes. This involves teaching patients to bake and consume bread in a way that supports their health, thus integrating dietary changes into medical care.

A Way of Empowering Bakers and Communities: The Sourdough School’s social enterprise model helps graduates apply these principles in their communities, providing resources and support to spread the benefits of BALM.

So really it is a framework and BALM Protocol is a way that bakers can transform their craft into a practice that supports health and well-being at multiple levels, from individual health to broader environmental impacts?