Support of the pancreas function

In case of diseases of the digestive tract and to support the function of the pancreas, well-tolerated food and light diet are recommended. Foods low in fat and carbohydrates relieve the pancreas. Dietary fibres, on the other hand, are indigestible food components which, although they have various health-promoting properties, can also lead to flatulence and digestive disorders in excess.

It can also be helpful to keep the blood sugar level as constant as possible and not to let it rise very quickly. This can be achieved, for example, by using wholemeal products instead of foods containing simple sugars such as sweets. The most important measure to support the function of the pancreas is to avoid alcohol.

Approximately 80% of all pancreatitis occurs through the consumption of too much alcohol. In acute or chronic digestive problems, enzyme preparations can help to support the pancreas by providing missing enzymes for digestion. Some teas, bitter plants and herbs are also said to stimulate digestion.

In principle, it is advisable to eat a regular and balanced diet and to take sufficient exercise. A manifest underfunction of the pancreas cannot be completely compensated. Nevertheless, there are some measures that can make life easier:

Food that is chewed in detail (chewed at least 40 times) is already predigested in the mouth by the enzymes contained in saliva and puts less strain on the pancreas
Several small meals mean less work for the pancreas at once
Easily tolerated dietary fibres stimulate lipase secretion (fat digesting enzyme)
A low-fat diet and the avoidance of alcohol and finished products with numerous additives relieve the pancreas
Bitter substances in the mouth ensure that digestion is stimulated and also stimulate the pancreas.

Grapefruits, chicory, artichokes, dandelions and special dietary supplements containing bitter substances are rich in bitter substances. – The enzymes of the pancreas can also be replaced by enzyme preparations. There are both natural preparations and high-dose medications for this purpose.

An underfunction of the part of the pancreas that is directly involved in digestion can often be attributed to simple symptoms. Because less digestive juices can be produced, the digestion suffers. The result is often a feeling of fullness, flatulence and a slimy fatty stool, especially after sumptuous, fat and protein-rich meals.

If such an underfunction is suspected, a stool sample can be taken at the doctor’s surgery or hospital. This is examined for the enzyme elastase, which is produced by the pancreas and excreted after digestion. If the stool contains too little elastase, an underfunction of the pancreas is likely. Alternatively, the stool can be examined for its fat content. The rule of thumb is: the more fat the stool contains, the less could be digested by pancreatic juices.