The Sourdough School

BALM – Proven as one of the healthiest approaches to bread in the world.

Based in the walled gardens of Dr. Vanessa Kimbell's beautiful Victorian home in rural Northamptonshire, UK, we tutor individuals and train bakers and healthcare professionals in Baking as Lifestyle Medicine (BALM). Personalising bread to your lifestyle, gut microbiome, and unique genetics for optimal health—tailoring fermentation, fibre, and diversity so that your daily bread becomes the foundation of your health.

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Prescribing Bread as Lifestyle Medicine Reading List

Health and the gut microbiome 

The Diet Myth: The Real Science Behind What We Eat by Tim Spector

This is a book I really recommend everyone should read. If you buy only one book from this list, this is the one.

Gut and Psychology Syndrome: Natural Treatment for Autism, Dyspraxia, A.D.D., Dyslexia, A.D.H.D., Depression, Schizophrenia by Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride

A book which talks about physical and mental health, and the nutritional biochemical connections between psychiatric and neurological disorders and gastrointestinal functions. Definitely a book worth reading.

The Mind-Gut Connection: How the Hidden Conversation Within Our Bodies Impacts Our Mood, Our Choices, and Our Overall Health by Dr Emeran Mayer

An exploration of neuroscience, brain function and how these are linked to the digestive system.

Missing Microbes: How Killing Bacteria Creates Modern Plagues by Martin Blaser

How the use of antibiotics is damaging our gut microbiome and causing unforeseen problems in human health.

Gut by Giulia Enders

A book that I’d recommend for anyone who is just starting out in learning more about the gut.

The Psychobiotic Revolution by Scott C Anderson

An introduction to the new field of psychobiotics – the relationship between the gut microbiome and mental health.

Fiber Fueled: The Plant-Based Gut Health Program for Losing Weight, Restoring Your Health, and Optimizing Your Microbiome – by Will Bulsiewicz

A ground-breaking book that makes it abundantly clear that elimination diets are in fact hazardous to our health. What studies clearly now show-and what Will preaches with his patients-is that gut health is the key to boosting our metabolism, balancing our hormones, and taming the inflammation that causes a host of diseases. And the scientifically proven way to fuel our guts is with dietary fibre from an abundant variety of colourful plants. A must-read.

The Fibre Fuelled Cookbook: Inspiring Plant-based Recipes to Turbocharge Your Health by Dr Will Bulsiewicz

Will’s latest book packed with delicious high fibre plant-based recipes, as well as a targeted plan for overcoming food sensitivities.

The Circadian Code – by Dr Satchin Panda

Circadian rhythms are biological processes or clocks that exist in each one of our cells. Programmed to turn genes on or off at different times of the day or night, they influence every aspect of our health from weight and energy levels through to resistance to disease and infection, and how well we sleep.

Brain Changer by Professor Felice Jacka

‘A fascinating book by a leading researcher, covering one of the most exciting areas of modern nutritional research about how our diet can impact our gut and brain health. The combination of personal stories and cutting-edge science is a real winner’ DR MICHAEL MOSLEY, AUTHOR AND TV PRESENTER

Eat to Beat Depression and Anxiety: Nourish Your Way to Better Mental Health in Six Weeks by Dr Drew Ramsey

In this book, Dr. Drew Ramsey helps us forge a path toward greater mental health through food. He breaks down the science of nutritional psychiatry and explains what foods positively affect brain health and improve mental wellness.

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