9 Essential Gut Health Tips from Naturopath Eric Bakker (35+ Years Experience)
Gut Health Tips by Eric Bakker ND
With more than 35 years of clinical experience working with digestive health, Eric Bakker has developed a practical, individualised approach to supporting gut health. In that time, he’s learned that every body is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to healing.
At Yeastrix, we see gut health as a steady, guided process — built on daily habits that support your microbiome, your immunity, and your wellbeing. Eric’s approach focuses on understanding why things go wrong and helping people find practical, sustainable ways to repair their digestion naturally.
Whether you’re dealing with ongoing digestive symptoms or simply want to strengthen your gut for the long term, these nine essential tips can be a helpful starting point.
If you’d like to take a more reflective approach, our guide to how to improve gut health naturally explores how asking the right questions and tracking your own patterns can help you better understand your digestion.
Gut health is the cornerstone of overall wellbeing — your energy, immunity, skin, and mood all benefit when digestion functions well.
Key Takeaways
- Eric Bakker offers personalized gut health tips based on over 35 years of experience with digestive issues.
- Key tips include daily bowel movements, balanced nutrition, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle that supports gut health.
- Incorporating prebiotics and daily movement can promote good bacteria and improve overall health.
- Healing takes time, so patience is essential while implementing these Eric Bakker gut health tips.
- Track progress, seek professional guidance if needed, and make gut health a priority for long-term wellness.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute
Why Listen to Eric Bakker?
Eric’s advice comes from decades of clinical practice, thousands of stool tests, and countless patient assessments. Over time, he’s observed patterns that work — and those that don’t.
His philosophy is straightforward, though flexible for each person: when your gut works well, other aspects of your health often improve too. Mental clarity, immune resilience, and energy all start with digestion, but every journey is unique.
Eric has authored books, runs educational workshops, and continues to learn alongside his patients – no two gut journeys are the same.
Tip 1: Keep Your Bowels Moving — Every Day
One of Eric’s long-standing clinical observations is that regular bowel movements are important for digestive health. For many people, this means having a comfortable bowel movement most days, without excessive straining or urgency.
Irregular bowel movements can contribute to digestive discomfort and may be associated with changes in the gut microbiome.
When bowel movements are infrequent, stool remains in the colon for longer and constipation can contribute to bloating, discomfort and changes in the gut environment.
Simple ways to support bowel function:
- Track your bowel movements for a week
- Gradually increase fiber from vegetables and seeds
- Drink enough water throughout the day
- Move your body daily — even gentle walking helps
A bowel diary can help you notice patterns and triggers affecting your digestion.
Tip 2: Diet and Supplements Aren’t Enough
Diet and supplements are important, but they’re only part of the picture. Healing also depends on lifestyle: sleep, stress, movement, and social connection all influence your microbiome.
Focus on balance:
- Quality sleep (7–8 hours of deep rest)
- Daily movement, even light activity
- Stress management (meditation, nature, creative outlets)
- Meaningful social connections
You can’t out-supplement chronic stress. A holistic approach makes a real difference.
Tip 3: Eat Fresh, Seasonal, and Nutritious Food
Whole foods, fresh produce, protein, and healthy fats form the foundation of gut-friendly nutrition. Eating with the seasons also helps support the body naturally.
A balanced plate could include:
- Leafy greens and colourful vegetables
- Eggs, fish, legumes, and other proteins
- Healthy fats from olive oil, nuts, seeds
- Minimal refined sugar and processed foods
Consistently eating fresh foods nourishes beneficial bacteria and supports a diverse microbiome.
Tip 4: Gut Health Supports Immune Health
A substantial part of the body’s immune system is closely associated with the gastrointestinal tract, where immune cells continually interact with food, microbes and other environmental signals. A thriving microbiome helps your body respond efficiently to stressors and infections.
Benefits of a balanced gut often include:
- Fewer colds and infections
- Better energy and focus
- Improved mood and mental clarity
Supporting your gut helps regulate inflammation and strengthens immune responses naturally.
Tip 5: Reduce Digital Stress
Constant notifications, news, and social media can keep your body in fight-or-flight mode, disrupting digestion and altering gut bacteria.
Tips to manage digital stress:
- Set specific times for checking emails and news
- Turn off non-essential notifications
- Take regular screen breaks
- Prioritise real-world interactions
Even short daily breaks from screens reduce stress and support digestion.
Tip 6: Feed Your Good Bacteria — Prebiotics Matter
Prebiotics are dietary substrates that beneficial gut microorganisms can use. Increasing prebiotic-rich foods can help support microbial diversity and the production of beneficial metabolites.
FOS-rich foods: chicory root, Jerusalem artichokes, garlic, onions, asparagus, green bananas
GOS-rich foods: beans, lentils, chickpeas, some nuts
Prebiotics support bacterial diversity, nutrient absorption, and bowel function.
Tip 7: Move Your Body Daily
Movement helps diversify the microbiome, reduces inflammation, and improves mental health. Even light daily activity matters more than sporadic high-intensity workouts.
Practical ideas:
- 20–30 min walk daily
- Stretch breaks if sitting long periods
- Enjoyable activities: yoga, swimming, cycling
- Resistance training for strength
Consistency is key — small daily habits beat sporadic efforts.
Tip 8: Be Patient
Gut healing takes time — often weeks to months, depending on your history. Small improvements add up, and occasional plateaus are normal. Keeping track of symptoms, food choices, stress and other daily habits can help you recognise patterns that might otherwise be easy to miss.
Track weekly improvements, celebrate small wins, and stay committed
Tip 9: Use Digestive Enzymes Wisely
Digestive enzymes help break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats into smaller components that can be absorbed by the digestive tract. In some circumstances, enzyme supplementation may be useful when digestion or enzyme production is impaired.
Yeastrix Active Enzymes, formulated by Eric Bakker, combines 13 targeted enzymes plus Bacillus coagulans to support digestion naturally.
The Complete Approach to Microbiome Building
- Address overgrowth: candida, bad bacteria, or parasites, under professional guidance.
- Support digestion: enzymes, stomach acid optimization, nutrient absorption.
- Rebuild and maintain: probiotics, prebiotics, healthy lifestyle habits.
The right approach depends on the individual. Some people may need to address a diagnosed infection or digestive problem first, while others may benefit primarily from dietary, lifestyle and microbiome support.
Gut Health and Overall Wellness
Your gut affects:
- Mental health via the gut-brain axis
- Energy and nutrient absorption
- Skin health
- Hormone balance
- Weight management
Your Next Steps
Immediate: Track bowel habits, add one prebiotic food, reduce a source of digital stress.
This week: Plan meals with fresh foods, research digestive enzymes, track symptoms.
This month: Implement all nine tips, seek professional guidance if needed, evaluate progress.
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Disclaimer:This article is for educational purposes only. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before making changes to your diet, supplements, or lifestyle. Results may vary from person to person.
