How is lipase influenced by alcohol?
Alcohol is a substance that can strongly influence the level of pancreatic lipase in blood serum. Massive use over a long period of time leads to an increase in lipase levels. This is due to the fact that alcohol consumption over a long period of time can lead to inflammation of the pancreas.
This can either be acute or develop into a chronic inflammation. In both cases, the lipase level rises sharply and can reach 75 times the normal value. If this happens, a doctor should be consulted and the consumption of alcohol should be stopped completely.
What does a lipase inhibitor do?
Lipase inhibitors such as orlistat are used to inhibit the activity of lipase in the small intestine. The inhibitors bind the enzyme and do not release it. This leads to less decomposition of dietary fats (especially so-called triacylglycerides), which means that they are absorbed less.
This does not specifically reduce the decomposition of one type of dietary fat, but rather reduces the total amount. The primary goal of lipase inhibitors is to prevent the absorption of fats. Therapeutically, this is an attempt to reduce weight by making less fat available to the body as an energy source. Thus, lipase inhibitors serve the therapy of obesity, but also diabetes mellitus type II and the prophylaxis of various cardiovascular diseases, which are significantly influenced by obesity. However, as more fats are not absorbed in the intestine through the use of lipase inhibitors, as is the case with a lack of lipase, the typical side effects such as diarrhoea (fatty stools), vomiting and nausea can occur.
How does pancreatitis affect lipase production?
Pancreatitis is a typical disease in which the limit of lipase is exceeded. This means that the lipase production increases massively. It does not matter whether the pancreas is acute or chronic (acute or chronic pancreatitis).
The measured value can rise within hours to over 75 times the normal value and can be elevated for several days. However, the level of the increase does not allow any statement about the course of the disease. Do you suspect or know that you have pancreatitis?
