Re: A question about carbs (fats/proteins etc) Susie

[Guest guest]

>>I'm not asking you to become experimental guinea pigs, but I

would be most interested to see what would happen if you did

actually low-carb.

I have heard that elevated triglycerides can " cause " pancreatitis,

but I have to wonder ... maybe elevated triglycerides and

pancreatitis and diabetes are just all part of the same package:

an intolerance of high carbohydrate intake. Why do fats and

proteins aggravate pancreatitis? From what I know about

diabetes, our pancreases are stressed when we eat

carbohydrates.

Susie,

I'll try to explain why fats and proteins aggravate pancreatitis.

The pancreas has both endocrine and exocrine functions.

The endocrine function produces three hormones. Two of these

hormones, insulin and glucagon, are paramount for the

processing of sugars in our diets (carbohydrate metabolism or

breakdown). The third hormone produced by endocrine cells of

the pancreas affects gastrointestinal functioning. This hormone

is called vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP).

The pancreas' exocrine function produces a variety of digestive

enzymes such as trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase, and amylase.

These enzymes pass into the duodenum through the pancreatic

duct. Once in the duodenum, the enzymes begin the process of

breaking down proteins, fats, and starches.

Once the tissues and cells have been damaged by chronic

pancreatitis, the pancreas has great difficulty, or eventually

stops... producing the trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase and amylase

enzymes on it's own. Chronic pancreatitis patients are

prescribed digestive enzyme supplements containing amylase,

lipase and protease to substitute for those enzymes that the

damaged pancreas no longer produces.

Even with these supplements, there is often great pain involved

when a CP patient tries to eat heavy fats and proteins because

the pancreas cannot process them. That is why these foods are

restricted. Too much consumption of these offenders can

actually bring on a very painful pancreatic attack. Most people

with CP are on daily narcotic pain relievers for this very purpose.

Once fats and proteins are restricted, there aren't many choices

left, except carbs.

Carbs don't cause us pancreatic pain, but now that we are

diabetic we find that they DO raise our BG levels..it's really a

Catch-22!

I hope this helps explain our problem a little better.

Heidi

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much for that detailed explanation, Heidi. My neighbors had

a neighbor who had pancreatitis, and they talked about him screaming

and moaning. My sympathy to you and others who endure this. It seems

like the only approach for you is a low-fat, low-protein diet, and

lots of insulin to try to counteract the carbs.

Susie {