Eating for your pancreas: The link between diet and pancreatic diseases

A well-functioning pancreas depends heavily on the quality of the food consumed. In the current age where many people opt for processed food and stimulants, the risk of pancreas malfunction escalates. So what should you eat to support a healthier pancreas?

Originating from the Latin word, the pancreas is an organ that measures between 4.7 and 7.9 inches. It ranks as the second-largest digestive gland in our bodies, right after the liver. It is composed of three parts: the head, body, and tail.

The pancreas performs two crucial functions in our body:

• Endocrine function - This involves the production and secretion of two hormones: insulin and glucagon. Insulin regulates blood sugar levels. After a carbohydrate-rich meal, glucose enters the bloodstream and is transported to the body's cells by insulin for energy production. Glucagon, on the other hand, releases stored glucose in the liver into the blood when blood sugar levels drop.
• Exocrine function - The pancreas also produces digestive enzymes like trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, and carboxypeptidase, which help break down proteins. Enzymes to digest fats, like lipase and phospholipase, as well as carbohydrates - like amylase, are also produced. These enzymes are delivered to the duodenum via the pancreatic duct, where they are activated.

Our diet and lifestyle can significantly influence the pancreas's function and the development of pancreatic diseases. Here are examples of the common pancreatic diseases:

• Acute pancreatitis – Mainly caused by excessive alcohol consumption and gallstones, it is characterized by severe, sudden abdominal pain that radiates to the back.
• Chronic pancreatitis – Alcohol consumption, smoking, diabetes, obesity, a diet high in red meat, high triglyceride levels, and certain medications, for instance, statins, may cause this disease. Symptoms include pain in the upper abdomen under the left rib, loss of appetite, bloating, and discomfort in the abdominal cavity after consuming fatty meals.
• Type II Diabetes – Although not strictly a typical pancreatic disease, its main cause is impaired insulin secretion. Obesity, a diet high in simple sugars and processed foods, and lack of physical activity can contribute to the development of type II diabetes. Early stages may be asymptomatic, but over time, symptoms like increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, skin changes, and delayed wound healing may emerge.

The goal for an affected pancreas diet is to ease the organ and prevent further damage. Thus, it is recommended to follow a diet that is easily digestible and with limited fat. Here are some of the most vital suggestions:

• Limit fat intake – The aim is not to completely exclude fat. However, opting for low fat content products, such as dairy items with <2% fat, lean meats (poultry, veal), and lean fish (cod, pike, pikeperch) is beneficial. You can include eggs in your diet, but they should be boiled or in the form of an omelet. Instead of animal fats, opt for plant-based sources like vegetable oils or soft margarines.
• Stay well hydrated – Ensure the intake of still water, as well as weak black and fruit teas, and vegetable and fruit juices.
• Opt for mild spices – Including parsley, dill, citric acid, cinnamon, marjoram, basil, and oregano in the diet is allowed.
• Eat ripe vegetables and fruits – Choose berries, apricots, bananas, peaches, as well as pumpkins, carrots, zucchinis, potatoes, and tomatoes (without the skin). Fruits and vegetables should ideally be consumed cooked or baked.
• Eradicate alcohol – Alcohol plays a significant role in the development of pancreatic diseases. Discontinuing its consumption is crucial in a pancreatic diet.
• Choose proper methods of cooking – Go for boiling, steaming or roasting without fat. Avoid frying, stewing and baking with fat.
• Reduce fiber intake – Fiber-rich foods can strain the work of the pancreas, especially in the initial stage of treatment. Hence, white rice, products made from white flour, rice flakes, millet, and couscous are advised.

The diet for type II diabetes somewhat deviates from the one for inflammatory pancreatic diseases, but it still shares the common purpose of bolstering the organ's functions.

Key recommendations for type II diabetes include:

• Include more vegetables and fruits – Practically speaking, every meal should contain at least one serving of vegetables. Fruits can be incorporated in about three servings daily with 1 serving approximately being 3.5 oz.
• Limit simple sugars and increase fiber – Consuming larger amounts of whole foods like legumes, brown bread, brown rice, or groats, while eliminating refined foods such as white bread, white pasta, and sweets, is advised.
• Maintain protein and fat balance – The diet should be based on high-quality plant fats such as oils, olive oil, nuts, seeds, and avocados. Ensuring sufficient protein intake via fish, tofu, seafood, lean poultry meat and a small amount of red meat is also crucial.
• Mind your fluid intake – Choose drinks that are not sweetened. Stopping the consumption of alcohol and energy drinks is beneficial.

Despite the differences in the nature of diseases and pancreatic disorders, certain products should be excluded from the diet:

• lard,
• alcohol,
• sweets,
• fast food,
• ready meals,
• salty snacks,
• sweetened drinks,
• cured meats,
• hard margarine,
• strong coffee and tea,
• fatty meats, fish and dairy,
• ready-made spice mixes,
• fruit jams with high sugar content.

All the given dietary advice for pancreatic diseases should be taken into consideration on an individual basis, which depends primarily on the stage of disease progression and other concurrent disorders. The most critical rule, however, is the total cessation of alcohol and processed food consumption. If unsure about your pancreas-friendly diet, consulting with an experienced clinical dietitian is recommended.