Pancreatin

Pancreatin is glandular extract and purified mixture of three (3) types of digestive-enzymes (such as protease [trypsin], lipase, amylase) produced by the pancreas (as well frequently accepted as pancreatic acid), which digest the food your eat so that the body can use it to stay healthy.

• The pancreas produces enzymes that help to digest food.

• Its commonly used for conditions such as cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer and after surgery on the pancreas (or stomach).

• Other Common Names: ox pancreatin, hog pancreatin,

Causes of Pancreatic Insufficiency

• Pancreatic insufficiency is when the pancreas does not make enough of these enzymes resulting in food not being digested or absorbed properly (in particularly, fatty foods and fat-soluble Vitamins (Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Vitamin K).

Common Pancreatin Side Effects

(affect less than 1 in 10 people who take)

Feeling sick (Nausea) or being sick (Vomiting), loose stools (Diarrhea), tummy (abdominal) pain:

• Action: Discuss this with your doctor, as the dose you are taking may need adjusting.

Constipation:

• Action: Remember to drink plenty of Water/Fluids.

Mouth irritation:

• Action: Swallow Pancreatin quickly so that it doesn’t stay in your mouth for long.

Sore or itchy bottom (often when taking high doses):

• Action: Let your doctor know about this.

Commercial Pancreatin Enzyme Forms Available

Enzyme Forms Available (without a prescription)

• Hi-Vegi-Lip (2,400 mg Pancreatin; 4,800 units lipase; 60,000 units protease; 60,000 units amylase)
• 4X Pancreatin, Pancrezyme 4X (2,400 mg Pancreatin; 12,000 units lipase; 60,000 units protease; 60,000 units amylase)
• 8X Pancreatin (7,200 mg Pancreatin; 22,500 units lipase; 180,000 units protease; 180,000 units amylase)

Enzyme Forms Available (by prescription only)

• Creon (300 mg Pancreatin, 8,000 units lipase, 13,000 units protease, 30,000 units amylase)
• Digepepsin (300 mg Pancreatin)

Key Actions

• Digestive action: – Proteolytic, amylolytic, and lipolytic enzymes enhance the digestion of Proteins, Starches, and fats.

Recommended Dosage

It comes as tablets, capsules, granules and powder.

• Adults and children – Take 1-2 tablets or capsules for exocrine pancreatic secretion insufficiency, Digestive aid in cystic fibrosis, steatorrhea, and other disorders of fat Metabolism secondary to insufficient pancreatic enzymes.

• For maximum effect – Give dose just before or during a meal.

Its Active Constituents:

• Amylase has 3 specific forms of amylase (alpha-amylase, beta-amylase and gamma-amylase) which hydrolyzes (splits) Carbohydrates into simpler sugars (such as maltose), although the pancreas alone produces alpha-amylase.

• Lipase refers to any agitator that abstract fats (rather than a specific enzyme) and it digests fats by hydrolyzing triglycerides into glycerols and blubbery acids.

• Trypsin is a specific protease and an agitator that digests Proteins by hydrolyzing them into abate polypeptides.

Note:

* Drug is sensitive to acids and is more active in neutral or slightly alkaline environments.

Precaution:

* Contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to drug/Pork Protein/enzymes.
* Contraindicated in those with acute pancreatitis (or acute exacerbations of chronic pancreatitis).
* Women should use cautiously in Pregnancy or while breast-feeding.
* Antacids that contain Calcium or Magnesium: May reduce its activity.
* May increase uric acid levels.

Health Benefits of Pancreatin

Cardiovascular System

• Pancreatin helps to convert homocysteine into cystathionine (a harmless Amino Acids).

• Homocysteine (an Amino Acids that is a byproduct of Protein digestion) is harmfull to the Cardiovascular System as it plays a role in the accumulation of plaque in The Arteries.

Foods & Cardiovascular System

Digestive System

• It can help in the management of Digestive problems (such as Bloating, Constipation, fatigue and gas) as it may improve the digestion of fats, Proteins and Carbohydrates.

• Cystic fibrosis patients have the tendency to produce mucus that gets in the way of the pancreas, thus blocking proper secretion of the enzymes meant for digestion.

• It successfully replaces the missing enzymes that cannot be secreted and therefore it can help with various symptoms (such as malnutrition, Diarrhea and intestinal blockage).

Foods & Digestive System

Immune System

• It can improve the system’s capacity to get rid of blood circulating immune complexes, safeguard the kidneys, boost immune response and reduce other auto-immune reactions.

• It can help reduce food sensitiveness and Allergies as its additional Protein digesting enzymes can prevent undigested Proteins from reaching the small intestines.

Foods & Immune System