05/20/2026
I recently had a new client start with acid reflux. But as we dug deeper, it became clear she wasn’t dealing with acid reflux… she had bile reflux.
And this distinction matters because acid reflux and bile reflux are two very different issues that require two very different approaches.
‼️ With acid reflux, symptoms often look like:
- Burning in the chest or esophagus
- Chest discomfort after meals
- Symptoms flaring with red sauces, tomatoes, spicy foods
- Worsening with high histamine foods (histamine can be a huge driver of reflux)
- Symptoms getting worse later in the day or at night
‼️ With bile reflux, symptoms tend to look more like:
- A thick or mucus-like feeling in the throat
- A “choking” sensation when lying down
- Symptoms flaring with fatty foods (even healthy fats like avocado, nut butters, or red meat)
- Frequent throat clearing after meals
- Tums or PPIs not really helping
Unlike what many assume, acid reflux isn’t a story of “too much stomach acid.” It is more so connected to LOW stomach acid, stomach inflammation, impaired digestion, or the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) not closing properly — allowing stomach contents to move upward.
This coming from:
- Mineral deficiencies like sodium and zinc
- H. pylori
- Gastritis or stomach lining inflammation
- High histamine levels / histamine intolerance
- A weakened LES
- Long-term PPI use
On the flip side, bile reflux is less about stomach acid itself and more about bile production and movement. And when bile isn’t moving properly, it can also backflow upward and contribute to reflux symptoms.
This coming from:
- Mineral deficiencies like magnesium, sodium, copper, or potassium
- History of gallbladder removal
- Choline or B vitamin deficiencies
- Low protein intake / amino acid deficiencies
- Lack of nutrient-dense or bitter foods
- Sluggish thyroid function
If you’ve been struggling with reflux and feel like nothing is truly helping, there’s a good chance the real root cause just hasn’t been identified yet!
‼️ Comment “REFLUX” and I’ll send you the next steps.
