Pancreatitis

Symptoms

The most common signs and symptoms of pancreatitis include severe upper abdominal burning pain that often radiates into the back, nausea and vomiting that worsens with eating. During an acute attack, the individual goes into a state of dehydration and blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate spike. Chronic pancreatitis will often lead to low energy, nutritional deficiencies, diabetes and pancreatic cancer.

Causes

• Pancreatitis is most often associated with excessive alcohol intake and gallstone formation. When gallstones get large, they obstruct the pancreatic duct from effectively emptying their enzymes into the small intestine. Pancreatitis is characterized by blood amylase or lipase levels four to six times higher than normal.
• When the pancreas is hyperstimulated (alcohol or excessive eating) or when the bile-pancreatic duct is obstructed (gall stones), it increases pancreatic duct pressure and activates the enzyme trypsin. When intracellular protective mechanisms to prevent trypsinogen and trypsin activation are overwhelmed, it leads to activation within the pancreas, auto-digestion of the pancreatic gland and resulting inflammation. This can result in severe pain common to acute pancreatitis and chronic symptoms associated with chronic pancreatitis.

Home remedies

• The best action steps to prevent pancreatitis flare-ups are to follow an anti-inflammatory nutrition plan that is free of sugars, grains, high fruit consumption and processed foods of any kind. Meals should focus on good fat sources, antioxidants, clean proteins, fiber and fermented foods.
• Be sure to avoid all common food allergens, alcohol and caffeine, as these can trigger further problems. If you have pancreatitis, gallstones or are at risk of getting these, be sure to make coconut oil your primary fatty acid. The small and medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil are easy to metabolize and do not depend on high amounts of pancreatic enzymes or bile. Use other good fats in moderation to reduce stress on the gall bladder and pancreas.
• Consume good fat sources such as coconut, avocados, raw chocolate, extra-virgin olive oil and sprouted seeds. Loads of phytonutrient-rich vegetables, lemons and limes and organic herbs should be used. This includes red onions, which are rich in anthocyanins and quercetin, and dark leafy greens such as kale, collards and spinach, which are loaded with lutein, zeaxanthin and chlorophyll.
• Clean proteins include organic poultry, 100% grass-fed beef and wild-caught fish. Great sources of fiber include sprouted chia, flax, hemp and pumpkin seeds. The best fermented foods include sauerkraut, apple cider vinegar, kombucha, coconut kefir, fermented herbal botanicals and fermented raw dairy from 100% grass-fed cows.
• A lifestyle build around superfoods and intermittent water fasting for periods of 16-24 hours daily is especially helpful. Intermittent fasting allows the digestive system to rest and heal. During the fast, drink as much clean water, green drinks, herbal teas and herbal antioxidant extracts. No calorie-rich foods or high-sugar fruits should be used during this period.
• If you are suffering with acute pancreatitis, then you will want to do a water fast with antioxidant extracts. No solid food should be consumed during this period and absolutely no high-sugar, protein or fatty foods, as these all require specific pancreatic enzymes to digest.
• The best herbal extracts for pancreatic function include turmeric, milk thistle, holy basil, ginger and dandelion. These herbs are best taken in a fermented form with organic acids, enzymes and probiotics for optimal absorption. Drinking lemon water and organic herbal teas is also highly recommended to soothe the pancreatic duct.
• One could also juice lemon, ginger, dandelion, cucumber, celery and kale and make a powerful anti-inflammatory green drink. This should help soothe the pancreatic duct and allow for healthy secretion of pancreatic enzymes. The individual should rest and can do coffee enemas to help move out toxins and relax the pancreas and gall bladder.

Medical Disclaimer

This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.