Nausea
Nausea is a signal, not just a symptom. Your body is trying to tell you something.
Nausea has many causes.
Chronic or recurring nausea usually signals dysfunction in the digestive system, liver, or nutrient status. Low stomach acid, bile problems, B6 deficiency, blood sugar issues, and gut infections are common culprits.
Finding the cause is key to resolving it—not just suppressing the symptom.
Common causes of nausea
Low Stomach Acid
Paradoxically, low stomach acid causes nausea by impairing digestion. Food sits too long, ferments, and creates pressure and discomfort.
Bile Insufficiency
Bile helps digest fats. When bile flow is sluggish, fatty foods cause nausea. This is common with gallbladder problems and liver congestion.
B6 Deficiency
B6 deficiency is a classic cause of morning nausea and nausea during pregnancy. B6 is essential for neurotransmitter production that affects the gut-brain axis.
Blood Sugar Dysregulation
Low blood sugar triggers nausea as a stress response. This commonly happens between meals or in the morning before eating.
Nutrients that help with nausea
These nutrients address common underlying causes of nausea.
The Liver Connection
Persistent nausea often points to liver congestion. When the liver is overwhelmed with toxins, medications, or poor bile flow, nausea is a common signal.
Supporting liver detoxification pathways and optimizing bile flow can dramatically improve chronic nausea that doesn't respond to other treatments.
"If you feel nauseous after fatty foods or in the morning, think liver and bile—not just stomach."
Gut infections and nausea
Chronic nausea can signal gut infections:
- 1H. pylori infection often causes persistent nausea and upper GI discomfort
- 2SIBO creates gas pressure that triggers nausea
- 3Parasites can cause intermittent nausea patterns
- 4Candida overgrowth affects gut motility and signals
Resolving chronic nausea
Try B6 first
B6 (P5P form) is remarkably effective for many types of nausea. Start with 25-50mg and see if it helps within a few days.
Support stomach acid
If nausea comes with bloating after eating, low stomach acid may be the issue. Consider digestive bitters or betaine HCl with meals.
Optimize bile flow
If fatty foods trigger nausea, support bile with bitter herbs, taurine, or ox bile supplements. Consider liver support.
Test for infections
If nausea persists despite optimization, consider testing for H. pylori, SIBO, or other gut infections that commonly cause chronic nausea.