- AN OVERVIEW OF THIS MODULE'S OBJECTIVES AND ALLOCATED TIME

1. Key Learning Objectives - Background Knowledge - mins

The Objectives of the Personalisation of Bread Module

Throughout your course, you'll learn about the personalisation of bread, and this is knowledge that can be used to tailor bread to individuals.  You will also learn when and how to use BALM, and understanding the transformative effects of long, slow fermentation on bread,  the gut microbiome, and mental health.

You'll gain insights into the negative impacts of mass-produced bread and the positive outcomes of the BALM Protocol through personal biome testing and case studies, equipping medical professionals with the knowledge to prescribe BALM effectively. Additionally, the course fosters a supportive network of healthcare professionals and bakers, focusing on the extended community health benefits of BALM, with opportunities for professional development, community activism, and mentorship in baking and health.

SEPTEMBER - WELCOME

1. Welcome Library - Welcome Information - mins

The Welcome Library

This library contains a wealth of resources, thoughtfully curated to enhance your learning experience. The library includes comprehensive information on communication protocols, live session schedules, term dates, and other essential resources. By engaging with these materials and attending live sessions, you'll be well-equipped to navigate the course effectively and make the most of your learning journey. Remember, while we are here to support you, your proactive engagement is key to unlocking the full potential of this program. Explore the library, familiarise yourself with its contents, and take the first step towards a transformative educational experience. I also want to remind you that I am always in my tutorial room each week to  support you at 4pm on Tuesdays for any additional guidance you may need.

GRADUATION INFORMATION - PRESCRIBING BALM PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES LIBRARY

1. Prescribing Topic Library - Topic Library - 2000 mins

Social Prescribing Protocol Library

The aim of this module is that you can prescribe BALM. Exploring the intersection of baking and healthcare, this topic introduces the concept of baking as lifestyle medicine within NHS guidelines. Correct practice when prescribing can be transformative, while missteps might discourage patients. This topic is crucial in empowering prescribers to use baking as a powerful, holistic health tool and it offers practical tools and guidance and includes your prescribing checklist and a letter template for non-GPs to facilitate discussions with healthcare professionals.

You will learn the inclusivity of language in social prescribing. Our focus extends to best practices in social prescribing of baking, understanding when it may not be suitable, and ensuring safety and accessibility for all.

This section is also vital for social prescribers, as it goes beyond matching the right bread to the individual. It's about the art of effective prescribing, balancing inspiration and support with a keen awareness of each patient's unique clinical and cultural background.

THROUGH OUT YOUR COURSE - BALM PROTOCOL LIBRARY

1. BALM Protocol Library - Topic Library - mins

The BALM Protocol Library

This Library is an extensive collection of lessons rooted in the philosophy that not all bread is created equal. It presents a comprehensive framework encompassing recipes, techniques, and the holistic experience of baking, eating, and sharing bread. Developed over four decades of baking expertise and two decades of teaching, this evidence-based structure is the brainchild of Dr. Kimball, derived from her doctoral thesis on the nutrition and digestibility of bread as preventative healthcare and lifestyle medicine. This library is fundamental in understanding how this unique approach to bread can be deeply nourishing and transformative in terms of health and wellbeing.

THROUGHOUT - DIPLOMA TASK LIBRARY

1. Task Library - Topic Library - 820 mins

Your Tasks

Throughout the course you will have tasks that are specific to the syllabus, and that are scheduled. You can think of them as homework.  These tasks are given to you at key stages over the year.  You don't have to do them, but they are practical applications of the theory and usually fit in with the Bake for Health baking schedule.

- CASE STUDIES

1. Case Study Library - Background Knowledge - 120 mins

The Case Studies

Our work is evidence-based, meaning that the insights and teachings we share are grounded in real-life experiences and outcomes. We have gathered these case studies to illustrate how our approach to baking can have profound effects on health and well-being, particularly for individuals who may have struggled with noncommunicable diseases or digestion issues in the past.

SEPTEMBER - THE CURRENT SITUATION LIBRARY

1. Where are we now? - Core Knowledge - 150 mins

Setting the scene of the current system.

A closer look at the agricultural system, and how our bread is made. The Chorleywood bread making system, ultra-processed foods, exploring the complex nature of bread and its implications on health. This library covers topics like the dichotomy of bread in public perception, the health impacts of industrial white bread, and the link between dietary patterns and cardiovascular disease in the UK. It includes a lecture by Dr. Carmen Piernas-Sanchez, a podcast on the Chorleywood Bread Making Process, an interview with wheat breeder Dr. John Bingham, and insights into ultra-processed breads. These resources provide a comprehensive understanding of how different types of bread affect health and contribute to broader nutritional discussions

SEPTEMBER - UNDERSTANDING THE GUT MICROBIOME

1. Understanding The Gut Microbiome - Core Knowledge - 860 mins

The Gut Microbiome Topic Library

Understanding the gut microbiome and its role is essential to personalising bread,  because it emphasises the connection between our dietary choices, particularly in baking, and our overall health.Welcome to the Gut Microbiome Library, a crucial component of Baking as Lifestyle Medicine (BALM). This library emphasizes the intricate relationship between diet, gut health, and overall well-being. It explores how baking, particularly with BALM principles, positively influences the gut microbiome, impacting both physical and mental health. The resources cover topics like the microbiota-gut-brain axis, the benefits of whole grains and fermentation techniques, and the role of bread in nourishing beneficial gut bacteria. This comprehensive library offers valuable insights for understanding and enhancing gut health through mindful baking practices.

- THE MECHANISMS & BENEFITS OF FERMENTATION

1. The Mechanisms & Benefits of Fermentation - Core Knowledge - 460 mins

The Mechanisms of Fermentation Library

Explore more on how the fermentation process changes flour. Welcome to the library focused on understanding fermentation and its impact on bread, the body, and mind. This library offers a comprehensive exploration of the role of fermentation in bread-making and its subsequent effects on health. It covers topics such as the potential health benefits of sourdough, how fermentation can increase the bioavailability of polyphenols in grains, the role of lactic acid bacteria in reducing phytic acid in cereals, and the implications of acrylamide formation in darker baked bread. This resource is essential for understanding the complex interactions between fermentation processes, the nutritional properties of bread, and overall health.

- THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF BREAD & GRAIN

1. The Nutritional Value of Bread & Grain - Core Knowledge - 480 mins

Understand the nutritional value of grains.

This comprehensive library aims to enhance understanding and appreciation of the nutritional value of bread made with traditional grains, underscoring their importance in a balanced diet. With lessons on transitioning from hunter-gatherer societies to modern agricultural practices, the nutritional benefits of wholegrain malted flour, including essential vitamins and minerals, and the specific advantages of vitamin E in sourdough for health. It delves into research on rye, the significance of dietary fibre and antioxidants in wheat, and the impact of Kamut® Khorasan on gut health. Additionally, it includes discussions on the importance of B vitamins and minerals found in wholegrains;

- THE FOUNDATIONAL KNOWLEDGE THAT UNDERPINS THE BALM PROTOCOL BT

1. The Foundational Knowledge that Underpins the Bread Protocol - Core Knowledge - 2360 mins

The Knowledge Library that underpinned the Development of The BALM Protocol

In the days before any AI, each research paper was painstakingly found, read, and incorporated into the development of the BALM Protocol.  This library began many years ago as the detailed information and simple explanations of a complex interpaly of our bread and the role of the gut and why it is central to health. You can stand back and look at diet as a system.  This section looks at the details of the relationship between the microbes in the gut, prebiotics, probiotics, phytochemicals and the metabolites that are made. It is the knowledge that underpins The Sourdough School Bread Protocol and is key to understanding.

- BREAD & NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES

1. Bread & Neurodegenerative Diseases - Core Knowledge - 30 mins

Bread and Neurodegenerative Diseases

How the bread we eat impacts the brain. The library looks at the influence of bread on neurodegenerative diseases. With a focus on the detrimental effects of poor-quality bread, which lacks essential gut fibre and contains harmful emulsifiers, our research highlights the inflammatory nature of such baked goods. We see the benefits of high-quality bread and whole grains and adopting a Mediterranean diet and lifestyle medicine approach as pillars of supporting neurological well-being as preventative health. No

- UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF BACTERIA IN SOURDOUGH

1. Understanding the Role of Bacteria in Sourdough - Core Knowledge - 960 mins

How the yeast and bacteria transform the dough.

- BREAD & MENTAL HEALTH

1. Bread & Mental Health - Background Knowledge - 180 mins

How bread plays a central role in mental health.

NOVEMBER - A CLOSER LOOK AT HERITAGE GRAINS

1. A Closer Look at Heritage Grains - Core Knowledge - 770 mins

A Closer Look at Heritage Grains

In this section, we explore the extraordinary qualities of heritage grains and their pivotal role in Baking as Lifestyle Medicine. Unlike modern wheat, heritage grains are nutrient-dense, high in fibre and polyphenols, and offer unique health benefits, supporting gut health, mental clarity, and sustained energy. They bring unparalleled flavour and texture, adding complexity and depth that industrial grains simply don’t possess.

Heritage grains are also ecologically valuable; they require minimal chemical inputs, making them ideal for regenerative farming and biodiversity. They evolved alongside human agriculture, aligning with our digestive systems and providing a lower glycaemic response, which stabilises blood sugar and supports metabolic health. Their cultivation, while challenging due to lower yields, contributes to soil health and a resilient food system.

Through research, expert insights, and practical knowledge, this section will help you understand why heritage grains are not just a connection to our past but a cornerstone for sustainable and nutritionally rich bread. Engaging with these grains allows us to reimagine bread-making as a process that supports both personal health and planetary well-being.

DECEMBER - USING BREAD FOR BLOOD SUGAR MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORTING MOOD

1. Using Bread for Blood Sugar Management and Supporting Mood - Core Knowledge - 360 mins

Sourdough Bread and Blood Sugar Balance

In this section, we delve into the ways bread—and especially sourdough—can influence blood sugar, inflammation, and overall metabolic health. Through lectures, conversations with experts, and scientific studies, you’ll explore the unique benefits of sourdough for blood sugar stability, thanks to its natural fermentation process, which boosts soluble fibre and resistant starch. These compounds slow glucose absorption, helping balance blood sugar levels over time.

We’ll examine the impact of white bread on inflammation, uncovering how industrial baking can drive blood sugar spikes and how diet can either support or undermine metabolic health. Insights from leaders like Tim Spector, Dr. Michael Mosley, and Dr. Clare Bailey offer perspectives on managing diabetes, the benefits of intermittent fasting, and practical ways to reduce endocrine disruptors while baking. Finally, you’ll learn to make vinegar—a valuable tool for enhancing insulin sensitivity and supporting stable blood sugar.

This section equips you with practical knowledge to transform your baking, balancing both flavour and nutrition, to support overall health in each loaf you create.

DECEMBER - SOURDOUGH, BIOAVAILABILITY OF FIBRE & BOWEL CANCER

1. Sourdough, Fibre & Bowel Cancer Prevention - Core Knowledge - 90 mins

How including wholegrain sourdough may help prevent bowel cancer.

JANUARY - WEIGHT MANAGEMENT & BREAD

1. Weight Management & Bread - Core Knowledge - 225 mins

Which grains, techniques and ways of eating and baking bread help weight management.

MARCH - BREAD & CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

1. Bread & Cardiovascular Health - Core Knowledge - 490 mins

A closer look at how Wholegrain and Sourdough can help prevent heart disease

APRIL - SOURDOUGH, IBS AND REDUCING FODMAPS

1. Sourdough, IBS and reducing FODMAPS - Core Knowledge - 275 mins

How the fermentation process can help IBS symptoms.

MAY - SOURDOUGH, COELIAC DISEASE AND NCGS

1. Sourdough, Coeliac Disease and Non Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity - Core Knowledge - 155 mins

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by an abnormal immune response to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. This response leads to inflammation and damage to the lining of the small intestine, which can result in various gastrointestinal symptoms and nutrient malabsorption. As the prevalence of coeliac disease continues to rise, researchers and healthcare professionals are exploring alternative dietary approaches to managing this condition. - this topic takes a closer look at BALM and coeliac disease - please note that this is also an area we wish to develop with gluten-free recipes when we have time.

- METHYLATION PATHWAYS AND BALM PROTOCOL

1. Methylation pathways and BALM Protocol - Feature - 5 mins

Methylation is a well-established biological process that plays a crucial role in various cellular functions, such as gene expression, DNA repair, and neurotransmitter synthesis. However, the concept of "methylation imbalances" (i.e., undermethylation or overmethylation) as a primary cause of specific health issues is not universally accepted within conventional medicine.

The scepticism surrounding methylation as an evidence-based approach in conventional medicine may stem from several factors, including limited research, individual variability, lack of standardized testing, and some non-evidence-based techniques that are complementary therapy and not clinical.

Despite these concerns and acknowledgement that this is not an area that all medical professionals agree on there is growing interest in understanding the role of methylation in health and disease. Many of the objections feel and sound similar to the ones I heard for many years when the understanding of the gut microbiome emerged.

I think, given that researchers are actively studying the connections between methylation and various conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, and cancer, it is correct to include this topic as part of the discussion around bread. As the scientific understanding of methylation processes expands, it is possible that more targeted and evidence-based treatments may emerge, and with clinical evidence, then these will, in time, gain acceptance within the conventional medical community. I, therefore, ask that you consider this topic with an open mind, and as a living syllabus, we will keep updating it as the discipline emerges - critically evaluating the findings - I look forward to approaching this topic with interest as our understanding develops.

JUNE - SOURDOUGH & IBD

1. Sourdough & IBD - Core Knowledge - 30 mins

A guide to sourdough & IBD.

- BREAD AND NEURODIVERSITY

1. Bread and Neurodiversity - Background Knowledge - 2 mins

Bread can support neurodiverse individuals, particularly those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It highlights the nutritional and biochemical benefits, such as enhanced methylation, reduced inflammation, and better blood sugar management. Additionally, it discusses the holistic and emotional benefits of baking, including sensory integration, structured activities, and social interaction. By understanding these connections, we can see how bread can be a valuable component in promoting the well-being of neurodiverse individuals.

JUNE - LIVING RESEARCH – A LIFESTYLE PRESCRIPTION

1. Living research – A Lifestyle Prescription - Core Knowledge - 455 mins

It takes more than fermentation alone. Is making bread part of the reason for the positive changes in health?

JULY - SEPTEMBER - YOUR ASSESSMENT & GRADUATION

1. Your Diploma Assessment & Graduation - Student Information - mins

Your final tasks.