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SYMPTOMS & AYURVEDIC REMEDIES
PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCYWHAT DOES IT MEAN? WHAT'S CAUSING IT? WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Written by John Immel,
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Written by John Immel,
Are you prone to a problem with 'Pancreatic Insufficiency'?
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. In exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) the pancreas is unable to secrete adequate amounts of digestive enzymes. 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. STAGE OF DISEASE 4 - TISSUE DISEASEIf 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.ARE YOU NEW TO AYURVEDA?Are you wondering what Ayurveda is and how to use it for 'Pancreatic Insufficiency' and health in general? LEARN MOREREBALANCE YOUR BODY WITH DIET, LIFESTYLE & HERBS HAVING THESE QUALITIESEverything you eat has an effect on your body, which Ayurveda categorizes in a simple and easy way, using gunas. Gunas 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 qualities (gunas). Individual results will vary, based on your body type and the root cause of your imbalance. For best results, get a one on one consultation.QUALITIES THAT MAY CORRECT IMBALANCES RELATED TO PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY
To learn more about the symbols above, click on them. FAVOR HERBS WITH THESE MEDICINAL PROPERTIESIngredient and herbs each have unique effects on the various organs of your body. Herbalists study these effects and categorize them, so it is easy to identify which foods and herbs are most helpful for your unique body type. Click on the medicinal properties below to learn more about them, and to figure out which recipes, ingredients and products will be a good match for you. Individual results will vary depending upon the root cause of your imbalance. The following medicinal properties are useful for a general case of 'Pancreatic Insufficiency'. You must independently verify whether these medicinal properties address the root causes of your case of Pancreatic Insufficiency.Digestion: Digestive , DIGESTIVEHerbs that encourage healthy digestive.Sialogogue , SIALOGOGUEA 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. AstringentsSpleen Tonic SPLEEN-TONICAn herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.Cleanse and Detox: Detoxicant DETOXICANTAn herb that eliminates or metabolizes toxins from the body.Heart & Circulation: Rebuild Electrolytes , REBUILD-ELECTROLYTESSubstances that increase your electrolyte balance. Electrolytes help you retain water, keep your palate moist, and truly quench your thirst.Rebuilds Fluids REBUILDS-FLUIDSHerbs or substances that create moisture in the body and increase fluids.Immune System: Anti Inflammatory , ANTI-INFLAMMATORYReduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.Flushes Membranes FLUSHES-MEMBRANESHerbs in this category stimulate mucus membranes to release fluids, flushing them out.Liver & Gall Bladder: Cholagogue CHOLAGOGUECholagogues stimulate the release of bile from the gall bladder for improved digestion.Click here for general 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 best way to do this is with a one on one consultation. DIET REMEDIES FOR 'PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY'PRODUCTS REMEDIES FOR 'PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY'1. EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCYBrowse these educational resources for 'Pancreatic Insufficiency'.2. SPECIALITY FORMULAS FOR PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCYWe've specially chosen these products because of their potential for healing imbalances associated with 'Pancreatic Insufficiency'. Choose a product from this list that also matches your imbalanced doshas and qualities, to ensure a good fit. Please review these products to determine which are right for you. Before making any changes to your health and wellness routine, please check with your medical doctor.LOOKING FOR DIGESTION RELATED PRODUCTS?
See our herbs & products in these categories:
REMOVE THE CAUSES OF YOUR IMBALANCEPANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY USUALLY MEANS THESE |
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| GUNA | DO YOU HAVE THIS IMBALANCE? |
|---|---|
HEAVY
Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.
|
 Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Heavy' guna |
DRY
Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.
|
Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Dry' guna |
DIFFICULT
Difficult refers to anything that is difficult to digest, or takes a long time to digest.
|
Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you need to decrease Difficult to digest foods |
COLD
Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.
|
Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Cold' guna |
To learn more about the symbols above, click on them.
Are you prone to a problem with 'Pancreatic Insufficiency'?
Find your imbalances and create a diet for your Digestion by taking the
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RELATED SYMPTOMS & HABITS
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.
DO YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR UNIQUE BODY?
HOW AYURVEDA WORKS
ARE YOU WONDERING HOW AYURVEDA CAN HELP YOU?WHY IS AYURVEDA THE RIGHT SOLUTION?
Ayurveda strengthens the body, in addition to addressing the disorder. It take a holistic, systemic approach, instead of myopically focusing on the disorder in question. Ayurveda shows a person how to interpret signs and symptoms of imbalance, and how to address them using materials from home, so they can optimize their health on a continual basis. You can't take the doctor home with you, but you can take Ayurveda home with you. Ayurveda is the most advanced and easy to use home system for self healing with an exceptional focus on digestion.HOW DOES AYURVEDA WORK?
Ayurveda starts by identifying your body type, which identifies certain tendencies in your body to get sick (as well as identifying your strengths). It uses body type to determine the likely root causes of your disorders. Next, Ayurveda analyzes the nature of your disorder. It fits all your signs and symptoms into a pattern, expressed as a combination of gunas / qualities. For example, you may have a heat disorder, a cold disorder, or an oily disorder, etc. This simple categorical approach shows you how to correct systemic imbalances and strengthen your body as a whole.On Joyful Belly, we've created an extensive categorization of food so you can easily match food to your imbalances (gunas). By eating an optimal diet that balances your gunas, your whole body is strengthened and the conditions that created the disorder are removed. Once the root causes of the disease are removed, the disease lessens in strength or disappears altogether. Additional remedies - such as herbs and lifestyle practices - focused on the specific disorder, can greatly enhance your healing.
Want to learn more about Ayurveda and its step-by-step approach to healing? Click below.
LEARN MOREGET STARTED
To get started on your Ayurvedic journey, we first recommend that your find your body type by taking our free quiz. In Ayurveda, every solution is based on your unique body type, so by taking this quiz, you’ll get the best results.5 WAYS TO HEAL YOUR BODY
WITH AYURVEDA - FREE REPORT!
About the Author
John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda exudes a certain ease, which many find enjoyable and insightful. His online course Balance Your Ayurvedic Diet in a Week provides tools for gracefully healing with Ayurveda to thousands. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda , which specializes in digestive tract pathology & Ayurvedic nutrition. John and his wife Natalie recently published Explore Your Hunger: A Guide to Hunger, Appetite & Food.John's interest in Ayurveda and digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, including his public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well.
Comments & Personal Experiences
How does 'pancreatic insufficiency' affect your quality of life? What aggravates it? What has helped you? Is there something you'd like to know about 'pancreatic insufficiency'?15 likes
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