AYURVEDA PERSPECTIVE ON PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY

In exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) the pancreas is unable to secrete adequate amounts of digestive enzymes. This leads to loose, greasy stools with undigested food; gas & bloating; and weight loss. Since many imbalances can cause the above, it is essential to get a positive diagnosis of pancreatic insufficiency from a qualified medical doctor.

The pancreas is named for the Greek words pan (all) and kreas (flesh). The pancreas produces more enzymes than any other digestive organ. Pancreatic enzymes are centrally released into the duodenum through the pancreatic duct and sphincter of Oddi. The pancreas also releases sodium bicarbonate to neutralize acids from the stomach.

Pancreatic lipase accounts for 90% of fat digestion, however fat digestion is not impaired until output drops to 10% of normal levels. Fat malabsorption is often the most prominent sign of EPI. Gall bladder hypomotility may also contribute to impaired fat digestion.

The resulting malabsorption causes weight loss, loss of subcutaneous fat, muscle wasting, and deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins including vitamins A,D,E and K. The undigested food particles are fermented by bacteria, causing gas, bloating and high toxic load to the liver. Stools may be shiny or oily, foul-smelling, soft, and often float because of unabsorbed fat (steatorrhea).

Subclinical pancreatic insufficiency is a disorder of low agni in Ayruveda specifically affecting pachaka pitta and samana vayu. It is called a weak spleen in Chinese Medicine. Any of the techniques to improve agni may help alleviate subclinical pancreatic insufficiency. Since pancreatic enzymes are essentially in a fluid base, adequate hydration may increase digestive function by up to 25%. Inflammation and loss of function in the duodenum (from h pylori, radiation, etc) may interrupt the synchrony between the release of food from the stomach and discharge of enzymes from the pancreas.

Clinical pancreatic insufficiency may be caused by chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, hypercalcemia, clogged ducts, and other causes.

A low bile acid pool may produce similar effects to pancreatic insufficiency, such as found in short bowel syndrome, crohn's disease, or other bile acid malabsorptive disorders. Pancreatic insufficiency may reduce the pancreas' ability to neutralize stomach acids in the duodenum. At low pH, lipase becomes inactive and bile salts precipitate out of solution, rendering them ineffective for fat digestion and inabsorbable by the small intestine. Precipitated bile salts are eliminated in feces, reducing the bile salt pool.

Disclaimer: 'Pancreatic Insufficiency' could be serious and should be checked by a medical doctor.

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Augment your diet with these specially chosen ingredients below which may be useful for 'Pancreatic Insufficiency'. Individual results vary depending the cause of your imbalance and by constitution. Please research the ingredients below to find which are most helpful for you, and check with your doctor before making any changes to your health and wellness routine. Please check with your medical doctor before making any changes to your health & wellness routine, and for the proper use of these products.

MORE DIGESTION TIPS

DISCLAIMER: The pathogenesis of each person's condition is unique, and so the diet must be fit to the individual and the unique root causes of the condition in your body. The information on this page is for educational purposes only and should not be used to treat a medical condition. It is not a substitute for medical care. Please check with your doctor before making any changes to your health and wellness routine.

Everything you eat has an effect on your body, which Ayurveda categorizes in a simple and easy way, using biocharacteristics (gunas). Biocharacteristics are qualities (like cold and hot) that describe the effect a food or herb has on your body. Cooling foods like cucumber, decrease metabolism. Heating foods like chili pepper, stimulate your body and increase metabolism. For 'Pancreatic Insufficiency', you should select foods with the following biocharacteristics. Individual results will vary, based on your body type and the root cause of your imbalance.

Digestion:

Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

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Sialogogue

SIALOGOGUE

A sialogogue increases saliva. Sour foods are often great sialogogues, and increase output of all exocrine glands. Salty taste is very moistening as well. Bitter, pungent and sweettastes also increase salivary output but to a lesser degree. Astringents.

SEE ALL 'SIALOGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

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Spleen Tonic

SPLEEN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.

SEE ALL 'SPLEEN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Cleanse & Detox:

Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Immune System:

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

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Flushes Membranes

FLUSHES-MEMBRANES

Herbs in this category stimulate mucus membranes to release fluids, flushing them out.

SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-MEMBRANES' FOODS / HERBS

Heart & Circulation:

Rebuild Electrolytes

REBUILD-ELECTROLYTES

Substances that increase your electrolyte balance. Electrolytes help you retain water, keep your palate moist, and truly quench your thirst.

SEE ALL 'REBUILD-ELECTROLYTES' FOODS / HERBS

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Rebuilds Fluids

REBUILDS-FLUIDS

Herbs or substances that create moisture in the body and increase fluids.

SEE ALL 'REBUILDS-FLUIDS' FOODS / HERBS

Liver & Gallbladder:

Cholagogue

CHOLAGOGUE

Cholagogues stimulate the production & release of bile from the liver & gallbladder. This refreshes and cleanses these organs, as well as increases bile in the small intestines.

SEE ALL 'CHOLAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

HOW TO ADDRESS ISSUES IN STAGE OF DISEASE #4

PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY IS IN STAGE OF DISEASE #4 - TISSUE DISEASE

If you have symptoms in this category it means your imbalances have overwhelmed your body's resistance causing a full-fledged disease. Once imbalance reaches this stage it is more likely to cause acute or chronic conditions. You might be tempted to focus your attention on fighting symptoms in this category, but dismiss earlier warning signs of imbalance - i.e. symptoms in the stage 1 category. It is ideal to find and address the root causes weakening your system and remove them first. This ensures you are not adding fuel to the fire of disease. Once the root causes are removed, you can work on addressing the disease head on along with strengthening your body. This typically yields a quicker recovery and prevents recurrence. Ayurveda's preventative approach suggests you pay careful attention to every stage of disease development. (See all disease stages on JB)

GET MY FREE AYURVEDA BODY MAP According to Ayurveda, one or more of the following doshas and biocharacteristics may aggravate 'Pancreatic Insufficiency'. If you have an excess of one of these doshas or biocharacteristics below, Ayurveda recommends reducing foods and lifestyle habits that aggravate them. Click on the biocharacteristic to learn what foods and lifestyle habits should be reduced.

Are you prone to a problem with 'Pancreatic Insufficiency'? Find your imbalances and create a diet for your Digestion by taking the free digestion quiz:

TAKE THE DIGESTION QUIZ

The following symptoms & habits may be related to 'Pancreatic Insufficiency'. See your quiz results for a computerized assessment of your body type. Please click on the symptoms below to learn more about them. On average the biocharacteristics of people reporting Pancreatic Insufficiency were more aggravated than 90% of other symptoms. From the 545 people who reported Pancreatic Insufficiency average deviation in biocharacteristic levels were the following:

Risk Factors of Pancreatic Insufficiency

Complications of Those Reporting Pancreatic Insufficiency

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