Pancreatin enzyme by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Pancreatin is a combination of enzymes produced by the pancreas. To treat pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, physicians often prescribe enterically coated pellets of pancreatin to be taken with meals. The enzymes in pancreatin may come from pork, beef or vegetables. Pancreatin is generally used in patients with cystic fibrosis. Pancreatin contains amylase, lipase, and protease. Amylase breaks down starch, lipase breaks down fats, and proteases metabolize complex proteins.

Pancreatin Power by Source Naturals
Pancreatin Power is a formulation of Pancreatin 10X proteases, lipases and amylases which support systemic functions in the bloodstream by metabolizing proteins, lipids and saccharides.

Pancreatin use in chronic pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis is the major cause of pancreatic insufficiency which can be compensated by pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. There are now available a great number of pancreatic enzyme preparations, but encapsulated enteric-coated microspheres and minimicrospheres are considered the enzyme treatment of choice.

Other uses of Pancreatin
Pancreatin may in some cases help with food allergies, celiac disease, autoimmune disease, cancer, and weight loss.

Pancreatic surgery
Disturbance of pancreatic function can persist for several weeks following pancreatic surgery in which case the use of pancreatic enzymes such as pancreatin could be helpful.

Dose-dependent effect of pancreatin replacement upon the pancreatic function in the period after pancreatic surgery. Magy Seb. 2001 Dec;54(6):347-50. Szegedi Tudományegyetem Altalános Orvosi Kar, Sebészeti Klinika, 6720 Szeged, Pécsi út 4.
A placebo-controlled trial of enteric-coated pancreatin (Kreon 25,000 U lipase [A] and Kreon 10,000 U lipase [B]; 3 x 1 caps/day) was performed for 2 weeks following pancreatic surgery (resection or drainage operation in each group). A total of 60 patients were randomized, 20 to A and B pancreatin groups each, and 20 to the placebo group. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that dose-dependent enteric-coated pancreatin treatment after pancreatic surgery may lead to rapid improvement in the exocrine pancreatic function, probably by reducing the cholecystokinin response to food stimulation. This is an important indication for enteric-coated pancreatin medication.