DESCRIPTION

CAUSES

REMEDIES

DIET

Are you prone to a problem with 'Pancreatic Insufficiency'?
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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.

DIET REMEDIES FOR 'PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY'

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OR, GET A GENERAL DIET FOR BALANCING PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY

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.

HERBS & PRODUCTS FOR 'PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY'

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.

AVOID DIETS, LIFESTYLES & HERBS THAT AGGRAVATE THESE EFFECTS

According to Ayurveda, one or more of the following doshas and qualities may aggravate 'Pancreatic Insufficiency'. If you have an excess of one of these doshas or qualities below, Ayurveda recommends reducing foods and lifestyle habits that aggravate them. Click on the quality to learn what foods and lifestyle habits should be reduced.

V = VATA, P = PITTA, K = KAPHA

GUNA	FOODS TO AVOID	DO YOU HAVE THIS IMBALANCE?
COLD ABOUT COLD GUNA Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow. LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD	AVOID COLD FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY	FIND OUT Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Cold' guna.
DIFFICULT ABOUT DIFFICULT GUNA Difficult refers to anything that is difficult to digest, or takes a long time to digest. LEARN MORE ABOUT DIFFICULT	AVOID DIFFICULT FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY	FIND OUT Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you need to decrease Difficult to digest foods.
DRY ABOUT DRY GUNA Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis. LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY	AVOID DRY FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY	FIND OUT Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Dry' guna.
HEAVY ABOUT HEAVY GUNA Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight. LEARN MORE ABOUT HEAVY	AVOID HEAVY FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY	FIND OUT Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Heavy' guna.
TOXIC ABOUT TOXIC GUNA A substance that causes toxicity in the body, or that harms the body. LEARN MORE ABOUT TOXIC	AVOID TOXIC FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY	FIND OUT Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Toxic' guna.

To learn more about the symbols above, click on them.

SEE A DIET WHICH REMOVES THESE CAUSES

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

FAVOR DIETS, LIFESTYLES & HERBS WITH THESE MEDICINAL EFFECTS

Everything 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.

GUNA	FOODS TO FAVOR	CONDITION IN YOUR BODY
EASY ABOUT EASY GUNA Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly. LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY	EASY INGREDIENTS EASY RECIPES	Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you need to increase Easy to digest foods
HOT ABOUT HOT GUNA Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation. LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT	HOT INGREDIENTS HOT RECIPES	Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Hot' guna
LIQUID ABOUT LIQUID GUNA Liquid is identified by thin fluids (low viscosity). LEARN MORE ABOUT LIQUID	LIQUID INGREDIENTS LIQUID RECIPES	Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Liquid' guna
BITTER ABOUT BITTER GUNA Bitter is disagreeable and stimulating rejection, and a strong taste often associated with black coffee, dark chocolate, and most salad greens. LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER	BITTER INGREDIENTS BITTER RECIPES	Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Bitter' taste
PUNGENT ABOUT PUNGENT GUNA Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper. LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT	PUNGENT INGREDIENTS PUNGENT RECIPES	Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Pungent' taste
SALTY ABOUT SALTY GUNA Salty refers to anything with salt, or high mineral content. LEARN MORE ABOUT SALTY	SALTY INGREDIENTS SALTY RECIPES	Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Salty' taste
SOUR ABOUT SOUR GUNA Sour refers to anything fermented or acidic. LEARN MORE ABOUT SOUR	SOUR INGREDIENTS SOUR RECIPES	Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Sour' taste

To learn more about the symbols above, click on them.

Digestion:

Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DIGESTIVE

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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

LEARN MORE ABOUT SIALOGOGUE

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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.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPLEEN-TONIC

Cleanse and Detox:

Detoxicant

DETOXICANT

An herb that eliminates or metabolizes toxins from the body.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DETOXICANT

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.

LEARN MORE ABOUT REBUILD-ELECTROLYTES

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Rebuilds Fluids

REBUILDS-FLUIDS

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT REBUILDS-FLUIDS

Immune System:

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

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Flushes Membranes

FLUSHES-MEMBRANES

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT FLUSHES-MEMBRANES

Liver & Gall Bladder:

Cholagogue

CHOLAGOGUE

Cholagogues stimulate the release of bile from the gall bladder for improved digestion.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLAGOGUE

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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.

REDUCE THESE 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.

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