Want more iVillage? Sign up for our
Newsletters
Pancreatic Insufficiency - Supplements
Gas, bloating, and other symptoms can surface when the pancreas doesn’t secrete enough of the enzymes needed for normal digestion. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
- Add enzymes to your meals
Under the direction of a doctor, take digestive enzymes with meals regularly to reduce discomfort
- Load up on antioxidants
Lessen pain and prevent recurrences of pancreatitis by taking a daily supplement containing beta-carotene (9,000 IU), vitamin C (540 mg), vitamin E (270 IU), methionine (2,000 mg), and selenium (600 mcg; note: this amount should be supervised by a healthcare professional)
- Modify your diet
With your healthcare provider’s approval, try a low-fat diet to reduce symptoms
Also indexed as:
- acute pancreatitis,
- pancreatitis
About this treatment
What Are "Star" Ratings?
Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.
Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.
For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.
| Supplement | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|
Digestive Enzymes | Consult a qualified medical practitioner | Digestive enzymes are the mainstay of pancreatic insufficiency treatment and have been shown to reduce pain and steatorrhea associated with pancreatitis. |
| ||
| Supplement | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|
Beta-Carotene | 9,000 IU daily | Taking antioxidant supplements, such as beta-carotene, may lessen pain and prevent recurrences of pancreatitis. |
| ||
| Supplement | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|
Methionine | 2,000 mg daily | Supplementing with methionine and other nutrients significantly reduced pain, normalized antioxidant levels and free radical activity, and prevented acute recurrences of pancreatitis in one study. |
Selenium | 600 mcg, taken under the supervision of a doctor | Taking antioxidant supplements, such as selenium, may lessen pain and prevent pancreatitis recurrences. |
Vitamin C | 540 mg daily | Taking antioxidant supplements, such as vitamin C, may lessen pain and prevent pancreatitis recurrences. |
Vitamin E | 270 IU daily | Taking antioxidant supplements, such as vitamin E, may lessen pain and prevent pancreatitis recurrences. |
Grape Seed Extract | Refer to label instructions | In a preliminary report, three patients with chronic pancreatitis who were treated with grape seed extract saw reduced frequency and intensity of abdominal pain. |
| ||
Last Review: 05-11-2011
Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net
Learn more about Aisle7, the company.
The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
Welcome to Care Circle, an exclusive tool to help you take care of yourself and your loved ones. Here's how it works:
- Create profiles for yourself and your loved ones.
- Select the topics and conditions that interest each of you.
- Get customized news updates, original content, tools, and expert advice for each Care Circle member delivered directly to your personalized homepage.
The information you input is strictly private; you choose who has access to your Care Circle.
How do I add myself or someone else to my care circle?
Click on "Add someone." Fill out the short profile. Choose an avatar. Select the topics and conditions that interest this person from the pulldown menu. You can select as many as you want, but you must choose at least one. Click on "Add Someone" again. You should start getting updates immediately.
How do I save content to my Care Circle?
Click on "Manage My Care Circle." Select the tab of the person for whom you're saving content. Put your cursor over the piece of content that you want to save; a disk icon will appear in the righthand corner. Click on the disk and the piece of content will be moved to a save folder.
How do I add additional topics and conditions for someone in my Care Circle?
Click on "Manage My Care Circle." Select the tab for the person whose preferences you'd like to update. Under "Add More to Follow," select additional topics and conditions.
How do I delete topics and conditions for someone in my Care Circle?
Click on "Manage My Care Circle." Select the tab for the person whose preferences you'd like to update. Under "Follows," scroll over the topic or condition you want to delete. An "X" should appear on the righthand side. Click on the "X" and the topic or condition will be deleted from the list.
To manage your Care Circle, Please
Sign In.
