A Guide to Standard Process Pancreatic Enzymes

Pancreatic enzymes from Standard Process can provide nutritional support for people with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). This condition impairs digestion and nutrient absorption due to inadequate pancreatic enzyme levels. Understanding how these supplements work and who may benefit can help you determine if they are right for your health needs.

What is Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency?

The pancreas plays a vital role in digestion by producing enzymes that break down fats, proteins, and carbs from food. With EPI, the pancreas does not secrete enough of these enzymes due to damage or disease. Common causes include:

Chronic pancreatitis
Cystic fibrosis
Pancreatic cancer
Surgery removing part of the pancreas
Age-related decline in pancreas function

Without adequate digestive enzymes, nutrients cannot be properly absorbed from food. This may result in symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas, bloating, unintentional weight loss, and vitamin deficiencies.

What are Pancreatic Enzyme Supplements?

Pancreatic enzyme supplements provide a source of the key enzymes needed for digestion: lipase, protease, and amylase. They contain a mixture of porcine (pig) or other microbial sourced enzymes in capsule, tablet, minimicrosphere, or powder form.

These supplements are taken with meals and snacks to mimic normal pancreatic function. By delivering the missing enzymes, they enable the breakdown and utilization of nutrients from the diet.

How Standard Process Pancreatic Enzymes Work

Standard Process offers several pancreatic enzyme products like Pancreatrophin PMG, Pancreatrophin PMG Betafood, and Zypan. They provide a blend of lipase, amylase, and protease in minimicrosphere beadlets.

The minimicrospheres have an enteric coating that protects the enzymes from stomach acid. This allows them to pass intact into the small intestine where they are activated. There, the enzymes break down fats, carbs, and proteins for absorption.

These products also contain nutrients like vitamin A and zinc which help support healthy pancreatic function. The enzymes are derived from microbial fermentation and suitable for vegetarians.

Who Can Benefit from Standard Process Pancreatic Enzymes?

There are several conditions and health issues that may warrant supplementing with products like Standard Process pancreatic enzymes:

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Individuals diagnosed with EPI are unable to properly digest food and absorb nutrients without replacement pancreatic enzymes. Standard Process enzymes can provide the missing amylase, lipase, and protease needed for breaking down meals.

Cystic Fibrosis

Up to 90% of cystic fibrosis patients develop EPI and experience nutritional deficiencies. Standard Process enzymes can help CF patients better utilize calories and nutrients from their diet.

Pancreatitis

Acute or chronic pancreatitis causes impairment of normal pancreatic enzyme secretion. Standard Process enzymes can aid digestion and reduce symptoms during flare-ups or ongoing pancreatitis.

Pancreatic Cancer

Tumors on the pancreas can block enzyme production leading to EPI. Cancer patients may take enzymes to help maintain nutrition status for strength during treatment.

Pancreatectomy Surgery

Procedures like pancreatoduodenectomy to remove pancreatic tumors often result in EPI after surgery. Pancreatic enzymes can compensate for reduced function.

Other Digestive Issues

Individuals struggling with IBS, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, or food intolerances may benefit from enhanced digestion and absorption from supplemental enzymes.

Aging Related Decline

Standard Process enzymes can support elderly patients experiencing a natural decrease in pancreatic function with age.

What to Expect When Taking Standard Process Pancreatic Enzymes

Those beginning pancreatic enzyme therapy with Standard Process products should understand the following about using these supplements:

Take Enzymes with Meals and Snacks

Pancreatic enzymes should be taken at the start of each meal or snack containing carbs, protein or fat. This allows them to mix with food in the stomach and optimally break components down.

Expect a Trial and Adjustment Period

Finding the appropriate enzyme dosage may take some trial and error. Starting low and slowly increasing based on symptom relief is recommended. Stay in touch with your healthcare provider.

Look for Improved Nutrient Absorption

With adequate enzymes, digestion and nutrient absorption from food should improve. You may notice increased energy, better vitamin and mineral status, reduced GI symptoms, and weight gain if previously losing.

Avoid Alcohol and Smoking

Alcohol and smoking can aggravate pancreatic conditions leading to worsening EPI. Lifestyle adjustments may help enzyme effectiveness.

Change Dosage if Diet Changes

The required enzyme dose is dependent on fat intake. Consuming more high-fat foods may necessitate increasing your supplement dosage.

Store Enzymes Properly

Keep enzymes in a cool, dry location and avoid excessive heat. Stomach acid will deactivate enzymes, so do not chew or crush capsules before swallowing.

Standard Process Pancreatic Enzyme Supplement Options

Standard Process offers several enzyme supplements to support pancreatic function and digestion:

Pancreatrophin PMG

A digestive enzyme to aid absorption of proteins, fats, carbs, and calcium. It contains pancreatin, lipase, amylase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and colipase.

Pancreatrophin PMG Betafood

Provides pancreatic enzymes plus antioxidants like selenium and vitamin C from whole foods that support the pancreas.

Zypan

Another broad spectrum enzyme formula with pancreatin, papain, bromelain, trypsin, and amylase sourced from Aspergillus oryzae fermentation.

Multi-Enzyme Formula

Combines pancreatic enzymes with plant-based proteolytic enzymes like bromelain and papain for enhanced digestion support.

Are Standard Process Pancreatic Enzymes Right for You?

Incorporating products like Pancreatrophin PMG, Pancreatrophin PMG Betafood, or Zypan into your supplement routine may offer benefits if you experience:

Frequent diarrhea, gas, bloating, or abdominal pain
Unexplained weight loss
Oily, foul smelling stools
Nutrient deficiencies
Fatigue and muscle wasting

Consult your integrative medicine practitioner to find out if Standard Process pancreatic enzymes could aid your digestion and absorption. With professional guidance, these supplements may help restore your nutritional status and energy.

FAQs

What conditions may require pancreatic enzyme supplements?

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic cancer surgery, celiac disease, and normal aging-related decline may benefit from enzymes.

When should you take Standard Process pancreatic enzymes?

Take enzymes at the start of any meal or snack containing carbs, fats or proteins so they can fully break down food components.

How do Standard Process enzymes help with digestion?

The supplements provide protease, lipase and amylase to break down proteins, fats and carbs when the pancreas cannot produce enough.

What changes may I notice from taking pancreatic enzymes?

You may experience reduced diarrhea, less gas and bloating, improved energy and vitamin levels, and weight gain if previously losing weight.

Can I take too much of the Standard Process pancreatic supplements?

It's best to start with lower doses and increase slowly. Consult your doctor if you experience nausea, constipation, or stomach pain from enzymes.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.