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.
The learning objective of this feature is to equip readers with a comprehensive understanding of the nuanced impact of bread and gluten consumption on gut health, particularly focusing on the effects of temporary dietary changes on microbial diversity. It aims to provide insights into the rationale behind moderated breaks from bread and gluten, the potential adverse effects of prolonged avoidance, and the importance of a personalised approach to reintroducing bread into the diet. Through this feature, readers will learn about the critical role of dietary fibres, polyphenols, and fermentable carbohydrates in nourishing the gut microbiome and maintaining the integrity of the gut barrier. Additionally, it seeks to highlight the significance of the BARM protocol in the gradual and mindful reintroduction of bread to support and rebuild a healthy gut microbiome, while also addressing the detrimental effects of commercial breads and the benefits of symbiotic and sequenced eating patterns. Ultimately, the feature intends to empower readers to make informed dietary choices that optimise gut health and overall well-being.
Upon reading this feature, readers will be able to understand and apply strategies for managing bread and gluten consumption to optimise gut health, recognise the importance of microbial diversity, and implement personalised and gradual reintroduction of bread into their diets, guided by the BALM protocol and supported by symbiotic and sequenced eating patterns.
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All reasonable care is taken when advising about health aspects of bread, but the information that we share is not intended to take the place of treatment by a qualified medical practitioner. You must seek professional advice if you are in any doubt about any medical condition. Any application of the ideas and information contained on this website is at the reader's sole discretion and risk.
