Although calcium is important for good health, too much calcium in your diet can actually be harmful. Bile in the throat, however, is not usually one of its effects. Bile in the throat is most often a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, which is not usually related to calcium intake levels.
Symptoms of GERD
Heartburn and acid reflux are digestive disorders that may accompany gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is the medical term for the regular occurrence of those types of conditions. According to MayoClinic.com, common symptoms of GERD include tasting digestive fluid such as bile in the throat; experiencing a painful, burning feeling in the chest; and having a cough or sore throat.
Causes of GERD
The medical cause of GERD is bile or stomach acid backing up into the esophagus from your digestive system. Normally, the bottom of your esophagus opens when you swallow food, then closes, preventing stomach acid from entering your esophagus. GERD is caused by a malfunction of the muscle responsible for controlling access between the stomach and the esophagus. Smokers, drinkers and individuals who are obese or pregnant all have an increased risk for GERD.
Treating GERD
Removing the potential risk factors for GERD over which you have control is often the first step in treating GERD. Not smoking or drinking, losing excess weight and eating small meals can all help, as can avoiding fried foods, garlic, onions, caffeine and similar foods and substances that can aggravate the condition. Beyond these adjustments, your doctor will prescribe either over-the-counter or prescription medication to treat GERD. In severe cases, you may need surgery to repair damage from the condition.
Calcium Intake
Although your body needs calcium for such purposes as building strong bones and teeth and transporting electrical signals, too much can increase your risk for constipation and kidney stones; bile in the throat, however, is not a reported side effect of excess calcium. These side effects generally occur in adults who consume more than 2,000 to 2,500 milligrams of calcium per day, amounts that usually accumulate only through overconsumption of calcium supplements, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements.
References
- MayoClinic.com: GERD
- PubMed Health: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Calcium
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Linus Pauling Institute,Oregon State University: Calcium
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Calcium
