Click To View Products

Pancreatic Enzymes

Lipase's: The pancreatic lipase's, along with bile, function in the digestion of fats. Deficiency of lipase results in malabsorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins.

Amylases: Amylases are enzymes which break down starch molecules into smaller sugars. Amylase is secreted by the salivary glands as well as the pancreas.

Protease's: The protease's secreted by the pancreas (trypsin, chymotrypsin, and carboxypeptidase) function in digestion by breaking down protein molecules into single amino acids.

Q: What are some conditions that pancreatic enzymes have been helpful for?

A: Pancreatic enzymes are most often employed in the treatment of pancreatic insufficiency. Pancreatic insufficiency is characterized by impaired digestion, malabsorption, nutrient deficiencies, and abdominal discomfort.

The most obvious clinical use of pancreatic extracts is for impaired digestion due to either pancreatic insufficiency or a disease like cystic fibrosis. While cystic fibrosis is a rare, inherited disorder, pancreatic insufficiency is thought to be relatively common in the elderly.

While starch and fat digestion can be carried out satisfactorily without the help of pancreatic enzymes, the protease's are critical to proper protein digestion. Incomplete digestion of proteins creates a number of problems for the body including the development of allergies and formation of toxic substance produced during putrefaction. Putrefaction refers to the breakdown of protein material by bacteria.

As well as being necessary for protein digestion, the protease's serve several other important functions. For example, the protease's, as well as other digestive secretions, are largely responsible for keeping the small intestine free from parasites (including bacteria, yeast, protozoa, and intestinal worms). A lack of protease's or other digestive secretions greatly increases an individual's risk of having an intestinal infection, including an overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans.

Q: How do I determine if my pancreas is secreting enough enzymes?

A: Physicians use both physical symptoms and laboratory tests to assess pancreatic function. Common symptoms of pancreatic insufficiency include abdominal bloating and discomfort, gas, indigestion, and the passing of undigested food in the stool. For laboratory diagnosis, most nutrition oriented physicians use the comprehensive stool and digestive analysis. This comprehensive analysis will usually reveal the level of pancreatic enzymes being dumped into the intestines from the pancreas by determining the level of excess fat in the stool, excess nitrogen in the stool, and the presence of any other partially or completely undigested food elements. In addition, the complete stool and digestive analysis will also reveal the health of the bacteria flora which often reflects the degree of pancreatic function.

Q: Are pancreatic enzymes absorbed?

A: There is strong evidence that the body seeks to conserve its digestive enzymes by reabsorbing them. Numerous human studies have shown that when supplemental pancreatic enzymes (trypsin and chymotrypsin) are given orally they are absorbed intact into the bloodstream. Even more dramatic is the finding that pancreatic enzymes are not only absorbed intact from the gut, but also transported through the bloodstream, taken up intact by pancreatic secretory cells, and secreted into the intestines by the pancreas. The existence of this circulation of pancreatic enzymes is quite similar to the recycling of bile salts by the liver.

Of further interest is the possibility that oral supplementation with pancreatic enzymes may have a sparing effect on the body's own digestive enzymes, perhaps reducing the stress on on the pancreas and allowing the body to redirect energy to other areas.

The information presented is for informational purposes only. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Consult your doctor or health care practitioner for any health problem and before using any supplements.