What is it?
The pancreas is a relatively large gland located near the small intestine and stomach that spans a large part of the upper abdomen over to the spleen. For digestion, the pancreas is responsible for releasing digestive enzymes into the small intestine to continue to break up food after it leaves the stomach, and it releases bicarbonate for neutralizing any stomach acid in the intestines. In the bloodstream, the pancreas releases several hormones, including insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating the amount of sugar taken into our cells and the amount left in the bloodstream.

The pancreas is one of the first glandular extracts ever studied by the scientific community, and it was this research that led to the development of the first treatments for diabetes. Purified pancreatic extract is often referred to as "pancreatin". For more information on pancreatin, please click here.

Pancreas and Diabetes
Because there are two major roles of the pancreas, malfunction of this organ can appear in two different ways: either as diabetes or as maldigestion and malabsorption. Each type of function is performed by a distinct subgroup of cells, so having one problem does not mean that you will have both. Type I Diabetes is caused by destruction of the subclass of cells in the pancreas that produce insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. This is different from Type II Diabetes, which has to do with the sensitivity of insulin receptors in the body's cells. For more information on diabetes, please click here.

Pancreatic Insufficiency and Digestion
Enzymes naturally occur in all raw foods. We refer to the "ripeness" of a food as its readiness to be eaten. Ripe foods are most abundant in enzymes that are used for digestion, but unfortunately these enzymes are destroyed by cooking and processing. This means that most of the foods consumed by the average person today are deficient in enzymes. This forces the body to have to make up the difference, which it is sometimes unable to do. This state is often referred to as "enzyme deficiency" or "pancreatic insufficiency". Pancreatic insufficiency results in limited quantities of digestive enzymes that break down starch (amylase), protein (protease), and fats (lipase) into subunits that are small enough to be absorbed through our intestinal walls. When there are insufficient enzymes present for the amount of food that we consume, we do not get the nutrition we need from the food that we eat. This can result in weight loss or weight gain (a compensation by the body) and physical symptoms of nutritional deficiency such as: fatigue, dry skin, hair loss, and brittle nails. At the same time, the food that we do not completely digest in our small intestine, continues to our colon where it is broken down by intestinal microbes which can result in gas, bloating, cramping, constipation or diarrhea and steatorrhea (fat in the stool). Undigested food particles in people with "leaky gut" can result in immune reactions and a litany of resultant health concerns such as autoimmune diseases. For more information on "leaky gut", please click here. People with any combination of the above symptoms can often benefit from supplementation of pancreatic enzymes. The most natural way to get these enzymes in the proportions they are produced in nature, without changing food preparation habits, is to take pancreatic extract.

Pancreatic Extract
Although pancreatic extract was the first treatment available for those with diabetes in the early 1900's, it was quickly replaced by more effective and concentrated pharmaceuticals like insulin in the 1930's as well as other medications as time progressed. An effective way to supplement missing digestive enzymes in people with insufficient pancreatic function is to ingest an extract created from animal pancreas. The most common sources are bovine (cow), porcine (pig), and ovine (sheep). It is theorized that supplementing with pancreatic glandular extract can provide the body with the nutrients, cofactors, precursors and enzymes necessary to promote proper pancreatic function.

How do I take pancreatic extract?
Pancreatic extract can be found in products from several different sources, as tablets or capsules. Like other glandulars it is important to ensure that the extract comes from a reliable and safe source. Animals raised in New Zealand are often the best, and safest source. For more information, please read our glandular extracts article here. Unfortunately, like other glandular extracts, there is very little standardization, and the dose depends on underlying need and the concentration of each formula. Following the manufacturer's recommended dosing on the label and monitoring symptoms are often the best way to determine your correct dose.

Important Information
There is little safety information on pancreatic extract available. Because of this, it is best to err on the side of caution and at least follow the same restrictions as those that apply to pancreatin supplementation (as follows). "Do not take pancreatin if you are pregnant or nursing. Do not use if you have active bleeding, blood disorders or if you use blood thinners, and discontinue pancreatin 2 weeks prior to dental work or surgery. Pancreatin can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth and skin irritation, and allergic reactions."