On This Page: Pancreatic Insufficiency
Jump To Section
Video Compliments of The National Pancreas Association
What is Pancreatic Insufficiency?
Contributing Writer: Tony Subia
February 2022
The simple explanation of “exocrine pancreatic insufficiency” is the disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce digestive enzymes which are vitally necessary to ensure our food is efficiently digested. Digestion is a complex system that begins with chewing food and ends when food is broken-down into liquefied nutrients in the small intestine where the nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream to provide energy to the body’s cells.
When the pancreas is injured and ceases to produce digestive enzymes, malnutrition and weight loss takes place along with other symptoms including pain and fatigue. Pancreatic insufficiency can most often be treated fairly well with varying degrees of results taking prescription enzymes, adhering to a special diet, and practicing a healthy lifestyle absent of alcoholic beverages and smoking.
The Digestion Process
To completely understand the adverse effects of pancreatic insufficiency, it helps to understand the digestion process. Digestion is a very complex process of converting the food we eat into vital nutrients which the body requires to provide energy and cell repair needed for survival.
Digestion begins in the mouth. As you take your first bite, your salivary glands release saliva. When saliva mixes with food in the chewing process it breaks food into smaller pieces that can be easily swallowed into the throat which passes them to the esophagus which in turn funnels them into the stomach.
The stomach produces stomach enzymes and secretes a strong acid. Together they initialize the process of breaking down food into usable energy form. When the stomach is ready to send the food fragments to the small intestine it sends a message to the pancreas to begin producing and secreting pancreatic digestive enzymes.After food contents are processed in the stomach, they are released into the duodenum which is at the beginning of the small intestine.
The broken-down pieces of food in the stomach is sent to the small intestine in a “semi solid state”. The pancreas then begins to release “inactive digestive enzymes” through the pancreatic duct. It joins with the
bile duct which is a digestive solution that helps digest fats.
Bile is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. As fatty foods enter the small intestine, the gallbladder squeezes bile into the small intestine through the bile ducts.
Digestive Enzymes Produced By The Pancreas
> Amylease. It breaks carbohydrates
> Lipase. It breaks down fats.
> Proteease and Elastase. Breaks down proteins.
What Causes Pancreatic Insufficiency?
There can be several causes of pancreatic insufficiency. Any condition that can lead to damage of the pancreas which prevents its production of efficient digestive enzymes or blocks the release of digestive enzymes into the small intestine can cause pancreatic insufficiency.
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited genetic disease meaning a child is born with cystic fibrosis. It is a progressive disease which causes a buildup of sticky mucus which blocks the liver bile ducts. This causes inflammation and scarring of the liver which produces bile. The blockage of the bile duct prevents bile from reaching the small intestine where it helps to digest fats.
Chronic pancreatitis is caused a long term, intensely serious inflammation of the pancreas that recurs. It leads to an irreversible severe destruction of the pancreas.which prevents the ability of the pancreas to produce digestive enzymes which results in pancreatic insufficiency.
Pancreatic cancer often results in exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). In fact studies show that pancreatic cancer patients taking pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) live longer compared to those diagnosed by other causes beside pancreatic cancer. It is interested to note that pancreatic insufficiency does not cause pancreatic cancer but is sometimes a symptom of pancreatic cancer.
Other causes of pancreatic insufficiency include the following:
> A severe case of acute pancreatitis primarily caused when gallstones block the bile duct preventing pancreatic enzymes from reaching the small intestine. In those cases , enzymes become prematurely activated while still in the pancreas. This results in the “activated enzymes” to actually begin digesting the pancreas itself causing severe and extremely painful inflammation of the pancreas.
> Surgical removal of the pancreas. Of course it is a cause since there would be no pancreas to produce digestive enzymes.
> Celiac disease is a type of autoimmune disease where the immune system has adverse reaction to gluten. Exposure to gluten can cause inflammation that can gradually damage the small intestine. The damage can restrict the absorption of molecules of nutrients through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream.
> Tumors. Whether they are benign or malignant can block the the release of digestive enzymes into the small intestine.
> Autoimmune pancreatitis where chronic inflammation of the pancreas is caused by the body’s own immune system attacking the pancreas.
What Are The Symptoms of Pancreatic Insufficiency?
> Steatorrhea. Steatorrhea is the most common sign of pancreatic insufficiency. People that have
pancreatic insufficiency typically cannot absorb all the fat they eat. Undigested fat which passes
through the digestive system leads to stools that float, are greasy, foul smelling, and hard to flush.
> Gas and bloating can cause stomach pain that could radiate to the back especially after eating
> Stomach pain in the upper abdomen area that often radiates to the back especially after eating.
> Nausea and vomiting.
> Unexplained weight loss. The result of malnutrition.
> Diarrhea.
> Lack of energy, fatigue, and dizziness. The result of malnutrition.
Compliments of The National Pancreas Foundation
Most often, exocrine pancretic insufficiency (EPI) is a lifelong condition, although in some limited situations it can be repaired. “Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy” (PERT) is necessary treatment with prescription medications containing enzymes that act as the substitute for the missing or diminished performance of natural pancreas- produced digestive enzymes.
> Replacement enzymes include lipase, protease and amylase which are combined in pill form and must be taken with every first bite of a full meal or snack. A second dose could be taken at the end of main meals. Waiting until after you eat is too late to have a positive effect. Doses come in various unit values that likely requires a bit of trial and error to arrive at the most desirable dosage. Speak with your physician for recommendations after a diagnosis of pancreatic insufficiency.
> A well-balanced diet. A good diet for pancreatic insufficiency includes the following nutritional foods:Fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, skinless poultry, beans, lentils, low fat dairy, sweet potatoes, avocados, blue berries, black berries, natural nuts (particularly pecans and almonds), and low-fat dairy. Polyunsaturated fats are okay including olive, canola, and peanut oils. Surprisingly cheeses and dark chocolates are fine in moderation.
If you’ve been diagnosed with pancreatic insufficiency, ask your doctor to recommend an expert nutritionist to design ideal diets for meals and snacks.
> Foods to avoid. Avoid foods with high saturated fats including butter, ice cream, chicken skin, turkey skin, pork skins, fatty cuts of meat, and pastries. Also avoid trans fats, hydrogenated oil, tropical oils like coconut and palm oils,fried food, creamy style foods and packaged foods. Always avoid alcoholic drinks.
> Eat smaller meals. Instead of three large main meals, try 4 to 6 smaller meals each day. Try and include a healthy protein with each meal. Also try and limit consumption of total fat content of 30 to 50 grams per day. Snacks including dark chocolates, fruits, low-fat yogurts, and jellos are great choices as snacks.
> Stay well hydrated with water. and avoid high-calorie beverages.
> Keep low triglyceride levels. Talk to your doctor about the prescription drug “Fenofibrate”.
> Take fat soluble supplements. Vitamins D, A, E, and K. Take Vitamin B-12 for increase energy.
Compliments of The National Pancreas Association
Information Sources
Cleveland Clinic
National Center of Biotechnology
National Pancreas Foundation
CREON
The above information about exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, its symptoms, causes and treatment are provided as educational information only. It is not intended as medical advice which can only be provided by physicians. It is not intended as a substitute for professional expert medical opinion, advice, or diagnosis. If you have symptoms consult with your physician for medical direction.