Pancreatin is a digestive enzyme used as a therapy for a variety of digestive disorders. A healthy pancreas secretes digestive enzymes or juices every day. But a few health conditions, such as pancreatitis, may limit the pancreas's ability to produce enzymes. Loss of digestive enzymes leads to maldigestion and malabsorption of nutrients. Pancreatic enzyme supplementation, such as pancreatin, provides extra help for your digestion system by providing it with digestive enzymes, according to Drugs.com.
Benefit in Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that causes the body to secrete mucus that is abnormally thick and sticky. This thick mucus blocks the pancreatic ducts, preventing digestive juices from reaching your intestine. Without these enzymes, your intestines cannot fully absorb fats and proteins. This pancreatic insufficiency is fulfilled by pancreatin, thereby helping to treat most digestive problems, such as diarrhea, malnutrition, poor growth and weight loss, according to the Genetics Home Reference website.
Benefit in Heart Disease
Pancreatin may protect against cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis, which causes a narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, is a key to many cardiovascular problems, such as those related to aging. Abnormal fatty deposits slowly build up in the inner lining of a coronary artery. An enzyme called homocysteine also appears to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease when high levels of this enzyme are in the blood, notes the Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute. Homocysteine is created during protein metabolism and can be converted into harmless amino acids by the action of pancreatin.
Benefit in Cancer
The immune system distinguishes between the body's own tissues and foreign substances, or antigens. When the body recognizes an invader, it produces specific antibodies that attach to the pathogens and inactivate them. Pancreatic enzymes, including pancreatin, may help the immune system identify antigens on the surface of cancer cells as foreign particles, according to the 2007 book "Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide," co-authored by Burton Goldberg, Larry Trivieri and John W. Anderson.
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