Diet Plan For Pancreatitis

Your pancreas is a long, tear-drop shaped gland that lies behind your stomach. Its functions include the secretion of insulin, which helps to control your blood glucose level, and the production of digestive enzymes, which drain into a duct that connects to your small intestine just below your stomach. Pancreatitis, a generic term for inflammation of the pancreas, can occur suddenly -- a condition known as acute pancreatitis -- or it can be chronic.

Pancreatitis Causes

The causes of pancreatitis vary, with alcohol abuse and bile duct disease, such as gallstones, accounting for the majority of cases. Other common causes include medications, such as sulfa drugs, ulcer medications, diuretics or blood pressure medicines; infections, such as mumps or Coxsackie B virus; toxins, such as methanol; metabolic problems, such as high triglyceride levels; autoimmune diseases, such as Crohn's disease and genetic causes, such as cystic fibrosis.

No Food in the Acute Stage

The pain from acute pancreatitis is usually severe. Vomiting, fever, sweating and decreased alertness are frequent accompanying signs. Jaundice may occur as the result of obstruction of the bile duct. Since the inflammation of pancreatitis is worsened by the release of activated digestive enzymes into the pancreas itself, and since eating increases the release of digestive enzymes, fasting from food and drink is a standard treatment for both acute pancreatitis and the occasional flares that occur in people who have chronic pancreatitis. Intravenous fluids and nutritional support are required during these episodes until inflammation subsides.

Progression to Chronic Pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis can follow a bout of acute pancreatitis, or it may develop insidiously. Eventually, scarring within the pancreas impairs the gland's ability to secrete insulin or produce digestive enzymes. According to "The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy," diabetes develops in 20 to 30 percent of individuals who have chronic pancreatitis. For people who don't develop diabetes, the loss of pancreatic digestive function frequently causes problems with malabsorption, particularly of dietary fats.

Diabetic Complications

When diabetes results from chronic pancreatitis, a dietary plan that addresses blood glucose issues as well as poor nutrient absorption is required. According to MayoClinic.com, the typical diabetic diet is based on the notion that most diabetics need to lose weight. This isn't necessarily the case for people who suffer from chronic pancreatitis, many of whom need to gain weight. If you suffer from both diabetes and chronic pancreatitis, you may need the services of a registered dietitian.

Dietary Recommendations

Because chronic pancreatitis interferes with fat absorption, people with this condition usually benefit from a diet that limits total fat consumption to less than 25 g daily. According to a 2007 article in "American Family Physician," a low-fat diet not only reduces the workload for an already-damaged pancreas; it also reduces the likelihood of steatorrhea, a condition characterized by frequent, oily bowel movements. Small, frequent meals -- five to six daily -- will also tax the pancreas to a lesser degree. Alcohol, smoking and other behaviors that are known to injure the pancreas must be stopped.

Supplements and Medications

If you suffer from chronic pancreatitis, you don't absorb dietary fats well. Thus, your assimilation of fat-soluble vitamins will be impaired, too. Supplementation with vitamins A, D, E and K helps to avoid deficiency of these nutrients. Dosages should be discussed with your doctor. Pancreatic enzymes, particularly lipase to improve fat digestion, are also recommended in most cases. An enzyme preparation containing at least 30,000 IU of lipase should be used. Medications to improve enzyme function and decrease pain, such as acid-blocking agents, may be prescribed. Since pancreatitis is a complex condition, you should discuss any changes in lifestyle, diet, supplements or medications with your physician.