Prescribing BALM is different from teaching BALM. Teaching people to bake is about the practical application of the principles of baking, eating and sharing bread and baked goods in a way that improves and supports physical and mental health – there are a few things that we restrict for teachers, such as no teaching coeliacs, however for the following conditions only a clinician who has graduated the BALM Diploma can prescribe BALM.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Chronic constipation
- Mood disorders including depression and anxiety
- Blood glucose dysregulation (e.g., pre-diabetes, insulin resistance)
- Obesity or weight management issues
- Any other medical or psychosocial conditions where the licensee perceives that the BALM approach could provide therapeutic benefits, such as chronic loneliness.
- Individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early-stage dementia, as participating in baking activities could help stimulate cognitive functions and provide a sense of accomplishment.
- Persons with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or Fibromyalgia as baking could serve as a therapeutic activity.
- Individuals in recovery from addiction, where baking could serve as a mindful activity contributing to their recovery process.
- Patients with sleep disorders, as the grounding and relaxing nature of baking might aid in establishing better sleep routines.
- Carers looking after a patient with cancer or the patient themselves
- Patients at risk of bowel cancer, as the extra fibre in BALM is clinically shown to be protective
- Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), subject to following the strict guidelines on retarded wholegrain and the 12-week introduction of wholegrain protocol to ensure that gluten is broken down, reducing potential inflammation from unfermented gluten.
Medical knowledge is required
A clinician can differentiate between symptoms that might indicate serious conditions and those that could improve with BALM. For example, they can discern if constipation could be an indicator of bowel cancer, or if a persistent stomachache might signal ovarian cancer or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or if the symptom was more likely to be an FODMAP intolerance or a hormonal issue. Such evaluations are critical when prescribing BALM, as a red flag issue might not be caught by a link worker and it would require a different line of treatment. The BALM Protocol Clinical Compliance means that certain conditions, such as IBD, where fermentation and a change in approach require strict adherence to guidelines such as the 12-week introduction of wholegrain protocol. There are conditions that can be supported by sourdough but they require the prescriber to know the diagnosis and they advise the patient follows specific fermentation techniques, or choose certain grains, and for example, they may need to ensure that the patient avoids FODMAPs or needs extra support for blood sugar balance or they may benefit from a technique that facilitates more gluten being broken down to minimise potential inflammation whilst supporting the gut. What we knew was that a clinician’s knowledge and expertise are vital to guide patients through this protocol effectively.
