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We have many products, which help promote excellent pancreas health.  To view and order these products, please select your preferred manufacturer below,; To order on-line, simply click on the add to cart button below each product.  Our products can also be ordered by calling us at (323) 661-1183. 

Anatomy and Physiology

The pancreas besides producing insulin and glucagons produces a number of substances that aid in our digestion of food. The glands producing these substances have ducts that enter the pancreatic duct, which then enters the duodenum.

The digestive functions of the pancreas include the following:

1) Producing proteolytic (protein splitting) enzymes; these include trypsin, chymotrypsin and carboxypolypeptidase which break down whole and partially digested proteins, and ribonuclease and deoxyribonuclease to split RNA and DNA.

2) Produces amylase to break down carbohydrates into disaccharides.

3) Produces lipase to break down neutral fat into fatty acids and glycerol.

4) Produces cholesterol esterase to hydrolyze cholesterol esters.

5) Secrete water and bicarbonate ions to make the pancreatic juice alkaline.

The digestive enzymes are secreted by the acini of the pancreas glands, while it is the epithelial cells that secrete water and bicarbonate.

The chime entering the small intestine is very acidic due to the HCl and pepsin from the stomach. The acidic chime sends neural signals (via the vagus nerve) and hormonal signals (via secreting and cholecystokinin) to the pancreas and large amounts of enzyme filled pancreatic juice are into the duodenum. The more acidic the chyme is, the more pancreatic juice is released to neutralize it. The alkaline juices prevent the stomach enzymes from eating through the duodenal wall and provide the perfect pH needed by the pancreatic enzymes. Any time the duodenal pH drops below 4.5 secretin is released resulting in release of bicarbonate.

Symptoms of Pancreatic (Digestive) Dysfunction

1) Gas and lower bowel discomfort especially a few hours proceeding the meal.

2) A deficiency of bicarbonate can cause duodenal ulcers.

3) Fermentation, putrefaction, and foul smelling stools are other possible symptoms.

Causes of Pancreatic (Digestive) Dysfunction

1) Too many refined foods, too many combinations at a meal, eating between meals, can all overwork the pancreas and eventually exhaust it.

2) Over production of HCl and pepsin (see stomach chapter) will make the pancreas overwork and eventually exhaust it.

3) Nerve pressure in mid thoracic spine or cranial dysfunction irritating the vagus nerve can cause dysfunction (see Appendix A).

4) A vitamin B deficiency from bad diet or from eating refined products such as white sugar, and white flour (they use up vitamin B in their digestion), vitamin B is necessary for pancreatic enzyme production. These foods also are very acidic and thus overstimulate the pancreas.

5) Hypochlorhydria will lead to a less acidic chyme. This will cause decreased secretin output and thus decreased pancreatic output and perhaps incomplete digestion as a result. The primary cause, the hypochlorhydria in this case, needs correction for the pancreas to be corrected.

6) Deficiency in the diet or malassimilation of zinc (it is needed to form bicarbonate) can lead to not enough bicarbonate formation.

7) Taking sodium bicarbonate or other antacids can neutralize stomach contents and as in #5 lead to decreased pancreatic output as a secondary condition.

Other Indications of Pancreatic (Digestive) Dysfunction

1) A weak latissimus dorsi or vastus lateralis on manual muscle testing may indicate pancreatic weakness (see Appendix C and figures 3.1, 16.1).

Prevention and Treatment of Pancreatic (Digestive) Dysfunction

1) Avoid white sugar, white flour, white rice.

2) Don’t eat in between meals or too many food combinations per meal.

3) Eat a high unrefined carbohydrate, low fat, and low protein diet.

4) Eat foods high in B vitamins and zinc, whole grains, seeds, nuts, green vegetables, seaweed.

5) Avoid sodium bicarbonate and antacids. If you have gas swallow 2-3 activated charcoal tablets to absorb it.

6) If you suspect nerve or cranial dysfunction see a good chiropractor (see Appendix A).

7) Rub a reflex point on your left side between the 7th and 8th ribs where they meet the cartilage (see Appendix B) for 1 minute, 3 times a week for 2 weeks.

Related Product links

We have many products which help promote excellent pancreas health.  To view and order these products, please select your preferred manufacturer below; To order on-line, simply click on the add to cart button below each product.  Our products can also be ordered by calling us at ( 323 ) 661-1183.

The vitamins we have to offer you are as follows.  To order other vitamins, please click on the link just below.