Jake Kocherhans breaks down why reflux isn’t just a stomach acid issue—and how calming the gut, clearing infections, and rebuilding strength in phases can lead to real, lasting relief.
Introduction and Personal Journey into Gut Health
Josef Kreitmayer
Welcome to another amazing session here at the Reflux Summit. I’m very happy to welcome Jake Kocherhans. Jake, welcome—great to have you.
Jake Kocherhans
Thanks so much for having me. I appreciate it.
Josef Kreitmayer
You’re a functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner specializing in SIBO, IBS, GERD, and chronic gut dysfunction. Through your structured, phase-based approach, you help people calm their system, address root causes like infections, and rebuild digestive strength—especially when nothing else has worked.
You also have an excellent TikTok channel with around 40,000 followers and over 100,000 likes. You focus on foundational habits, nervous system balance, microbial testing, supplements, and sequencing different parts of a healing journey to resolve reflux naturally. Anything you’d like to add to that introduction?
Jake Kocherhans
No, I think you nailed it. That sounds great.
Josef Kreitmayer
How did you come to do this work? What led you to help people with their digestive systems?
Jake Kocherhans
I’ve been in the health coaching space for over 10 years. I started as a personal trainer, then transitioned to online coaching, initially focusing on weight loss and nutrition.
It wasn’t until my wife, then girlfriend, and I moved to Austin, Texas, that my direction changed. Shortly after moving, her health rapidly declined. She developed severe fatigue, brain fog, panic attacks, bloating, and acid reflux. It was heartbreaking to watch.
Traditional doctors and standard tests didn’t reveal anything helpful. That pushed us to do our own digging. A friend of mine, Kim, who was an FDN, introduced me to functional lab testing and a different approach to uncover root causes. I eventually earned my own FDN certification.
Through lab testing, we discovered she had severe Candida overgrowth and parasites, and we were living in a house with toxic mold. It took about a year of trial and error to heal her and me. That journey made me fall in love with gut health and realize how much our mood, energy, and quality of life stem from the gut.
Josef Kreitmayer
Wonderful that you turned that challenge into something meaningful.
Jake Kocherhans
Yeah, it was incredibly difficult, but it became my purpose. I’ve since helped many people who felt hopeless and thought they’d never feel like themselves again. You can get back to that place with the right approach.
A Structured Three-Phase Approach to Reflux Healing
Josef Kreitmayer
Chronic reflux can make people fearful of eating, impacting their social life and everyday joy. When someone says, I’ve tried PPIs and nothing works, where do you start?
Jake Kocherhans
My approach is a three-phase process.
Phase 1 is reducing inflammation and soothing the gut. I begin with a root cause assessment and categorize clients into one of four gut types: H. pylori or upper GI issues, SIBO or bacterial overgrowth, fungal overgrowth, or parasites.
Based on symptoms, we optimize diet to avoid feeding overgrowths and reduce triggers. We support the immune system with supplements like curcumin, Chinese skullcap, and PEA. For throat or esophageal irritation, I use DGL, zinc carnosine, and soothing herbs.
Phase 2 is the pathogen purge. Once inflammation is down, we target unwanted gut bugs with specific herbs. If someone improves significantly in Phase 1, we may skip antimicrobials. Otherwise, we use targeted combinations for four to eight weeks.
Phase 3 is reseeding and repair. After clearing pathogens, we reintroduce prebiotic-rich foods and gut-healing nutrients to repair the mucosal barrier and strengthen the ecosystem so the problem doesn’t return.
Foundational Lifestyle Habits for Reflux Management
Josef Kreitmayer
Beyond supplements, what lifestyle shifts should people make?
Jake Kocherhans
Reflux sufferers often rush through meals, skip meals, overeat at night, and then lie down. That’s a recipe for reflux.
I teach clients to be present with meals. Take deep breaths beforehand, allow salivation, and chew slowly. This signals stomach acid, bile, and enzyme production.
Avoid lying down for at least three hours after eating. Go for a short walk instead. Even 10 to 20 minutes can improve motility and gastric emptying. One study showed walking after meals was as effective as a prescription prokinetic drug.
These habits may seem simple, but they can dramatically reduce symptoms.
Immediate Relief for Reflux Flare-Ups
Josef Kreitmayer
When someone is in an active flare-up, what can help in the moment?
Jake Kocherhans
If there’s fullness or bloating after eating, bitters like Bitter X or Iberogast are helpful. Tudka supports bile flow and motility. Ginger capsules can also help if tolerated.
For burning or acidity, sodium alginate products like Gaviscon Advance or Reflux Raft create a physical barrier to prevent reflux.
DGL, aloe vera juice, and chamomile tea calm inflammation. During acute flares, remove trigger foods like citrus, spicy foods, carbonation, chocolate, mint, fatty foods, and acidic drinks.
The Importance of the Mucosal Lining
Jake Kocherhans
The mucosal barrier is a thin protective mucus layer. If it’s compromised, even supplements like enzymes or HCL can cause pain.
Alcohol, NSAIDs, smoking, and microbial imbalances degrade this barrier. Once it’s damaged, inflammation and permeability increase.
We need to stop re-aggravating the issue, support healing, and restore microbial balance.
Functional Testing and Root Cause Identification
Josef Kreitmayer
How do you identify the root cause of someone’s reflux?
Jake Kocherhans
I use functional stool tests like GI-MAP or Gut Zoomer, sometimes paired with breath or antibody tests. But labs aren’t everything.
I also use an in-depth symptom assessment. For example, instant bloating may signal SIBO, while morning burning pain that improves with food can suggest H. pylori. These patterns guide treatment.
Common Reflux Triggers: H. pylori, SIBO, and Low Motility
Jake Kocherhans
H. pylori is very common in reflux clients, especially those with gastritis symptoms. Low stomach acid, delayed gastric emptying, and hiatal hernias also contribute.
SIBO is another major cause. Fermentable carbs feed bacteria, producing gas and pressure that drive reflux. A low-FODMAP diet often brings short-term relief and serves as a diagnostic tool.
Natural Antimicrobials vs. Antibiotics
Josef Kreitmayer
You use a natural route instead of antibiotics, correct?
Jake Kocherhans
Yes. I always follow the three-phase model. For H. pylori, Phase 1 includes DGL, zinc carnosine, Chinese skullcap, and PEA.
In Phase 2, I use Pylopass, mastic gum, and Biocidin—starting very slowly to avoid die-off reactions.
Rebuilding with Prebiotics and Diversity
Jake Kocherhans
Phase 3 focuses on reseeding. L-glutamine and zinc carnosine support the lining.
We reintroduce prebiotic foods slowly, one at a time. The goal is 20 to 30 plant types per week to build a resilient microbiome.
Navigating Die-Off Reactions and Supplement Sensitivities
Josef Kreitmayer
What if someone reacts badly to a supplement?
Jake Kocherhans
Die-off symptoms usually resolve within one to two weeks. Sharp cramping or burning indicates intolerance.
Start extremely low—sometimes one drop diluted in water. Ensure elimination pathways are working first. I prepare clients with bitters, Tudka, and immune modulators before antimicrobials.
Working with Jake Kocherhans
Josef Kreitmayer
If someone wants to work with you, what does that look like?
Jake Kocherhans
They can apply at atlasfunctionalwellness.com or through my social links.
The program is four months long and covers all three phases with a detailed onboarding process.
A Message of Hope
Jake Kocherhans
Low-FODMAP and low-acid diets are temporary tools, not forever solutions. Think of it like healing a sprained ankle.
Commit to 30 to 60 days to give your digestive system a break. The goal is to rebuild tolerance and expand your diet over time.
If you’ve been eating the same few foods for years, you’re likely missing key nutrients. Reintroducing foods systematically helps rebuild microbiome diversity and gut strength.
