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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 is composed of two major types of tissue. The acini secrete digestive enzymes and will be discussed in a later chapter. Our present concern is the islets of Langerhans, which contain insulin producing beta cells and glucagon producing alpha cells. The pancreas is about 6 inches long and weighs approximately 3 ounces. It is located at the level of the first lumbar vertebra, and parts of it touch the aorta, left kidney, left adrenal, and spleen. Insulin has the following functions: 1) It increases the rate of glucose metabolism, and glucose that is not needed immediately by the cells is changed into glycogen for storage (in the liver, skeletal muscles, and skin), and fat (especially for storage in the adipose tissue and liver).
2) Decreases the glucose level in the blood and increases glucose transport to skeletal, heart, smooth muscle, and fat cells. It does not effect glucose transport to the brain or red blood cells.
3) It increases transport of amino acids into the cells and causes an increase in protein synthesis.
4)Works along with growth hormone to promote growth.
With a lack of insulin, the liver will start breaking down glycogen and forming new glucose (gluconeogenesis). Fats will also be released into the blood in the form of free fatty acids. Amino acids will be released into the blood and very little protein synthesis will take place. Over time with a lack of insulin, acetone and ketone bodies will occur (due to largely burning fats instead of carbohydrates)-this can lead to a state of acidosis. Also "protein wasting" occurs and can lead to extreme weakness, weight loss, and organ dysfunction.
If a diet high in sugar (especially refined sugars, molasses, maple syrup, too much honey, and fruit juice) is eaten, the blood glucose level increases rapidly. Insulin secretion is increased by 1000% the first five minutes, then it somewhat decreases for about ten minutes, then rises again after 2-3 hours.
A diet consistently high in sugar and other refined sweets will first lead to hypertrophy of the beta cells ( to increase insulin production) and eventual burnout, with diabetes being a possible result.
Glucagon is secreted by the alpha cells of the islets of Langerhans. Its main function is to break down glycogen into glucose and to simulate gluconeogenesis thus increasing the blood glucose level. When blood glucose levels drop below 70 mg per 100 ml of blood, glucagon is secreted in large quantities to prevent hypoglycemia and make sure the brain is getting enough glucose (its major nutrient). If left uncontrolled, glucagon could deplete the liver of glycogen within four hours. Epinephrine and cortisol released by the adrenals also raise blood sugar, as does growth hormone from the anterior pituitary.
We can see how the adrenals, pancreas, thyroid, pituitary, and liver are all critical in keeping our blood sugar levels stable, and often an abnormal condition resulting in a blood sugar handling problem is due to malfunction in more than one organ or gland.
Symptoms of Pancreas Malfunction
General symptoms that may indicate pancreatic malfunction include headaches, cold extremities, increased sweating, pain on the whole left side of the body, sluggishness.
Symptoms of low blood sugar from hyperinsulinism or too little glucagon, epinephrine, or cortisol (thus there may be multiple organ involvement), can include: feeling faint, tired, restless, weak, irritable, shaky, depressed, light headed. The person will often awaken in the middle of the night and have trouble falling back asleep. A person with low blood sugar tends to have a poor memory, craves sweets, may have a rapid heartbeat, or be prone to asthma or allergies, and have poor concentration and a hard time learning. These type people usually feel better after eating. Emotional rages are common.
Symptoms of high blood sugar from hypoinsulinism or too much glucagon, cortisol, or epinephrine, include weakness, nausea, headaches, shortness of breath, increased thirst, acidosis, ketosis, increased urination and dehydration, diarrhea, mood swings. In cases of diabetes there is glucose in the urine, an increased likelihood of eye diseases (in diabetes the retina which is totally dependent on glucose for energy doesn’t get the amount it needs) including blindness, heart disease (due to increased amounts of fat in the blood), and gangrene (which often leads to amputation). Insulin dependent diabetics have life spans decreased by as much as thirty years. In diabetes you have decreased utilization of glucose by the cells which accounts for many of these symptoms.
Causes of Pancreas Malfunction
1) With very few exceptions - the foods God placed on the earth have much lower sugar concentrations than the foods man has invented. While a watermelon may be 5% sugar and a banana 20%, catsup can be 30-50%, salad dressings and breakfast cereal up to 50% or more. These man made sweet foods tend to make the pancreas overreact and produce too much insulin. The resultant drop in blood sugar leads us to crave sweets, thus we grab a snack and the cycle repeats itself. In the beginning the resultant hypertrophy of the beta cells leads to a hypoglycemic state but after years of overindulgence, the beta cells burn out and diabetes can result. This type of diet also does damage to the adrenals, thyroid, liver, pituitary, immune system, etc.
2) Caffeine, chocolate, smoking, alcohol, marijuana, will have similar results as concentrated sweets.
3) Eating in between meals won’t let the pancreas rest and can lead to its exhaustion. Two or three meals daily with nothing in between is ideal. The third meal (optional) is the evening meal and should be very light (e.g. fruit and bread). Overeating has the same effects.
4) Eating high protein, high fat, low carbohydrate meals, the kind popular on weight loss programs, can over time damage the pancreas. Ideally our calories should come from 10-15% unrefined fat, 10-15% unrefined protein, 70-80% unrefined carbohydrates.
5) Oral contraceptives, thiazide (a diuretic used often to treat high blood pressure), corticosteroids (cortisone etc.), caffeine, nicotine, overdosing on niacin supplements, all increase blood glucose levels and thus alter pancreatic secretions, and over time could cause pancreatic dysfunction. The following also alter glucose metabolism and over long periods of time could alter pancreatic function: sulfa drugs, alcohol (both cause excessive glucose utilization), oral ingestion of growth hormone, thyroid hormone, aspirin.
6) Insulin injections are necessary in cases of juvenile diabetes. Adult onset diabetes is usually controllable without, if the patient is willing to make lifestyle changes. If we take insulin injections it gives our body less reason to produce our own insulin, and many feel the beta cells slowly atrophy. Before going on insulin for adult onset diabetes, it is the author’s opinion that we should try to rejuvenate our pancreas so it produces enough insulin, and live right lifestyles to insure a healthy body and proper utilization of our insulin. Even in cases of juvenile onset diabetes, insulin doses can be kept down by proper lifestyle.
7) There does seem to be a hereditary component to diabetes. We usually inherit a tendency toward diabetes but proper diet, exercise, etc., can usually stop the disease from developing even if the tendency is there. There are cases of identical twins where only one develops juvenile onset diabetes.
8) In many cases what is thought to be hereditary is due to indiscretion in the mother’s lifestyle. A diabetic pregnant woman will often use her fetus to partially supply her with needed insulin. Once born, the infant has hypertrophied islets of Langerhans and the resultant hyperinsulinism causes the infant to have hypoglycemia, stunted growth, and altered tissue metabolism.
9) In studies of isolated tribes living on diets of only unrefined foods, diabetes is virtually nonexistent. In some of these societies white sugar, white flour, etc., have been introduced and within a few years up to one third of the adult population have shown signs of diabetes.
10) Leucine is an amino acid found in large concentrations in dairy products. In some sensitive individuals ingestion of high leucine foods causes a dramatic drop in blood sugar. With continued use of dairy, the pancreas is overtaxed and altered function results. Very few total vegetarians are diabetic compared to lacto-ovo-vegetarians and meat eaters.
11) Exercise and sunlight both have positive effects in keeping blood sugar regular. Lack of these can contribute to problems.
12) Nerve pressure in the mid thoracics can lead to pancreas malfunction.
Other Indications of Pancreas Malfunction
1) Abnormalities on 6 hour glucose tolerance test.
2) Inverted T-wave on EKG.
3) Taking a good history and monitoring symptoms closely can catch a problem before it gets too serious.
4) At least one of the following muscles on one side may exhibit weakness on manual muscle testing: latissimus dorsi, triceps, sternocleidomastoid (see Appendix C and figures 3.1, 3.2, 3.3).
Treatment and Prevention of Pancreas Malfunction
1) Follow the adrenal recovery diet listed in the adrenal chapter. Also limit yourself to 1 banana daily if you eat bananas. Eat no dairy products. Don’t use saccharine or aspartame. Eat 2 or 3 meals daily spaced at least 5 hours apart, with only water or unsweetened herb tea in between meals. A low protein, low fat, high unrefined carbohydrate diet is best.
2) Try to reach and maintain your ideal weight.
3) In adult onset diabetes a fast for 4-7 days followed by the before mentioned diet will often partially or totally bring down elevated blood sugar. This should be done only under a doctor’s supervision.
4) Have a good chiropractor see if nerve pressure is a contributory cause. And in general try to trace down the cause and eliminate it (see Appendix A).
5) Keep your stress level low, pray.
6) A one minute hot compress followed by thirty seconds of ice, alternate four times. Do this twice daily over the pancreas or mid thoracic spine. This will tend to normalize pancreatic secretions.
7) Sunbaths will cause the body (if your blood sugar is high) to convert glucose to glycogen and thus lower your blood glucose level. Caution: diabetics on insulin may need less if they get much sun.
8) Exercise will decrease blood sugar in diabetics and raise it in hypoglycemics. At least 30-40 minutes of vigorous exercise 5-6 times a week is needed.
9) Short cold baths are beneficial to diabetics (hot extremity baths should be avoided).
10) Rub vigorously 1 minute daily every other day a point between the 7th and 8th ribs on the left where the ribs and cartilage meet (see Appendix B).
11) For diabetics the following herb teas are reported beneficial: mullein, uva ursi, cedar berries. String bean juice is also good.
12) For the pancreas in general dandelion, blueberry leaves, and huckleberry leaves make healthful herb teas.
13) Get enough rest, drink 6-8 glasses of water daily, and get lots of fresh air.
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.