Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Replacement Therapy for Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)
Pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis and other conditions that affect the pancreas cause exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI).
Overview
People with EPI don’t have enough pancreatic (digestive) enzymes to break down foods and absorb nutrients. It can lead to malnutrition.
One of the ways to manage EPI is Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT).
What is PERT?
EPI is a lifelong condition. Treatments focus on getting your body the nutrients it needs to maintain good health.
Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy is capsules that replace the enzymes that your pancreas would normally make. These help you to digest your food by breaking down carbohydrates, fats and proteins in your food.
Pancreatic enzymes can help manage the symptoms of problems with digestion, such as weight loss or diarrhea. They can also help you to cope better with treatments, such as chemotherapy or surgery. Managing problems with diet and digestion can make a big difference to how you feel.
Pancreatic enzymes are available in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian versions however vegetarian enzymes contain very low doses and are more expensive.
Reference
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21577-exocrine-pancreatic-insufficiency-epi
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2798169/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3132852/
- https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2121028-treatment
- https://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/information/managing-symptoms-and-side-effects/diet-and-pancreatic-cancer/pancreatic-enzyme-replacement-therapy-pert/
