The Hidden Source of Chronic Phlegm (How to Get Rid of It)
Dr. Berg’s Healthy Keto and Intermittent Fasting Podcast
Dr. Eric Berg
4.7 • 1.7K Ratings
🗓️ 8 May 2026
⏱️ 8 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
If you’re dealing with chronic phlegm or mucus in the throat, this is for you. Find out how to get rid of phlegm and excess mucus to finally put a stop to constant throat clearing.
0:00 Introduction: Chronic phlegm and mucus buildup
0:18 Post-nasal drip and sinus drainage
0:30 Silent acid reflux mucus
1:34 The hidden cause of phlegm
3:37 The vagus nerve and chronic mucus
4:01 Other causes of excess mucus
4:53 Determining the cause of chronic mucus
5:38 Natural remedies for phlegm
6:00 Betaine hydrochloride
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Constantly clearing your throat? If decongestants and antihistamines aren’t working, the real problem may not be post-nasal drip or your lungs; it could be silent reflux.
Many cases of chronic phlegm and throat clearing are caused by silent reflux, where digestive enzymes like pepsin irritate the throat and vocal cords. In response, the body produces inflammatory mucus as a protective mechanism.
Silent reflux can occur when the valve at the top of the stomach isn’t functioning properly. This may be related to SIBO, but more commonly it’s linked to low stomach acid. When stomach acid isn’t acidic enough, and the pH becomes too high, the valve can lose its ability to stay closed properly.
Antacids may provide temporary relief, but they can further weaken stomach acid and worsen the underlying problem over time.
The stomach valve and digestive processes are also heavily influenced by the vagus nerve, which controls the parasympathetic “rest-and-digest” system.
Chronic stress can interfere with this system and contribute to silent reflux symptoms.Frequent eating can further weaken stomach acid, and the problem often becomes more common with age.
Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, age 61, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals and author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.
Disclaimer: Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients, so he can focus on educating people as a full-time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose, and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | The hidden source of chronic, just one second, chronic phlegm, and today we're going to show you |
| 0:07.5 | how to get rid of it. If you're constantly clearing your throat and you have this mucus stuck |
| 0:11.4 | over your vocal cords, you might want to consider things other than decongestants and anihistamines, |
| 0:17.1 | especially if they're not working. We've been told that this problem is mostly post-nasal |
| 0:23.0 | drip or coming from our lungs. But there's another source that is way more common than both |
| 0:29.4 | of these combined. And it's called silent reflux. And our body is trying to protect the vocal cords |
| 0:36.6 | with mucus. |
| 0:40.7 | And as soon as we get rid of that protective layer of mucus, |
| 0:45.4 | then you can have damage to your vocal cords and end up with a voice that's hoarse or scratchy. |
| 0:49.9 | A microscopic digestive enzyme called pepsin. |
| 0:53.1 | It's actually stuck up here by the vocal cords. |
| 0:59.1 | Pepson is the most powerful enzyme that breaks down protein like steak. When you eat steak or meat, the acid in the stomach is supposed to trigger this enzyme |
| 1:05.0 | to dissolve it. |
| 1:06.8 | And so we don't want this enzyme to go through this valve from the stomach up into the esophagus, |
| 1:12.8 | up by your vocal cords right here. We don't want that there. Because these enzymes can then |
| 1:17.1 | interact with your own proteins and irritate them and even dissolve them. And it really is not |
| 1:22.6 | the typical heartburn that you might feel. And that's why they call it the silent reflux, |
| 1:27.3 | because it doesn't feel |
| 1:28.3 | like acid reflux. So the reason why the mucus is there is to protect you from this enzyme. But the big |
| 1:34.2 | question is, why is the enzyme up here and why isn't it staying in the stomach? Well, it has to do with |
| 1:40.5 | this little valve right here. You have two valves. You have one on the top of the stomach |
| 1:44.6 | and you have one at the bottom of the stomach. And somehow this enzyme is escaping up through this |
... |
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