Does Fish Oil Cause Pancreatitis?

People who suffer from acute or chronic pancreatitis experience pain and inflammation in their pancreas, a large gland nestled behind the stomach that participates in digestion and metabolism. Pancreatitis can cause potentially serious adverse complications if it is not treated properly, including bleeding, infection, permanent tissue damage to the pancreas and, in severe, untreated cases, death. Far from causing pancreatitis or making it worse, the fatty acids in fish oil can improve symptoms and enhance immunity to flare-ups.

Pancreas Function

The pancreas secretes digestive juices, or enzymes, through the pancreatic duct into the first section of the small intestine, called the duodenum. These enzymes mix with bile created by the liver and stored in the gallbladder to assist in the digestion of food. The pancreas also secretes hormones, insulin and glucagon that regulate metabolism and storage of blood glucose and fat. Normally, the enzymes secreted by the pancreas don't become activated until they reach the interior of the small intestine. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, the enzymes become activated while still in the pancreas, attacking and damaging pancreatic tissue.

Causes

Over 210,000 people a year are hospitalized due to acute pancreatitis, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. The presence of gallstones in the bile duct, which is shared by the gallbladder and the pancreas, causes most cases of pancreatitis. Gallstones are small, pebble-like substances formed in the gallbladder of bile and salts. Gallstones can also migrate into the pancreatic duct and into the pancreas. In any case, the pancreas becomes inflamed. Fat in the diet and stress on the liver contribute to the risk and formation of gallstones. The second-most-common cause of pancreatitis is chronic heavy use of alcohol. Other causes include medication, infections, tumors, abdominal trauma and genetic abnormalities of the pancreas.

Treatment

During acute episodes of pancreatitis, you may require hospitalization for management of pain and IV hydration. You can't eat solid food during acute attacks, so you may require nutritional support if the inflammation persists. Once the inflammation has improved, you can return to a normal diet, though your doctor may prescribe synthetic pancreatic enzymes that you eat with your meals if you need to regain weight.

Diet

To avoid triggering new attacks, minimize alcohol and caffeinated beverages, and eat small, frequent meals so you don't stress the pancreas. Follow a low-fat diet. Avoid saturated fats such as found in animal products such as butter, whole milk, cream, fatty meats and some vegetable oils, such as coconut and palm oil. Also avoid trans fatty acids such as found in fried foods, donuts, cookies, crackers, margarine and processed foods.

Fish Oil

Low fat does not mean no fat, however. Fat is an essential nutrient your body can't synthesize, so you must obtain it in your diet or from supplementation. Healthy fats, such as the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, are used in the formation and maintenance of the cell walls throughout your body. They are particularly important for brain development and functioning and likewise perform critical functions for clotting blood and controlling inflammation. Fish oil promotes anti-inflammatory reactions from your immune system. Although animal research, such as the study published in the February 2011 "Digestive Diseases and Sciences," suggests that fish oil doesn't decrease inflammation during acute pancreatitis attacks, fish oil can enhance your resistance to future pancreatic flare-ups. Fish oil also reduces tryiglycerides, which increase your risk for pancreatitis. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends that those with chronic pancreatitis take one to two fish oil capsules daily to decrease inflammation and improve immune system functioning.