The Digestive Function of Pancreatin in Butterfat

If you have you indulged lately and had bacon and egg on a buttery croissant, you were probably unaffected, if you have no digestive problems. However, for those who lack digestive enzymes, animal fats such as butterfat can be a serious obstacle. To aid digestion and enjoy foods with butterfat, pancreatin supplements are necessary.

Digestive Enzymes

• Digestive enzymes play a vital role in the breakdown of food and nutrient absorption. Digestive enzymes play a vital role in every phase of digestion starting with the mouth. When you chew, starch is broken down by enzymes found in the saliva. Next, you have enzymes in the stomach, pancreas and intestines. Should any of the mentioned organs fail or malfunction, digestive problems occur due to the disruption of digestive enzymes produced by a given organ. When there is a lack of digestives naturally produced by the body, a patient has to resort to supplements.

Pancreatin

• Pancreatin is a digestive enzyme very similar to Pancrease (brand name) and Pancrelipase (generic). The only difference between pancrelipase and pancreatin is that pancrelipase contains more active lipase than pancreatin. There are also slight differences among brand names, and so it's important to stick with one and not switch. Pancreatin comes in the form of tablets or capsules that should never be chewed or broken in the mouth. Pancreatin is a mixture of digestive enzymes that are normally produced by the pancreas. These enzymes are lipase, amalase and trypsin. Pancreatin is a digestant that enables the body to break down fats, proteins and starch.

Who Should Take Pancreatin?

• People who have problems with their pancreas must take pancreatic enzymes supplements with each meal. A common symptom of a pancreatic disorder are foul smelling, oily stools. Pancreatic problems generally result from having the pancreas removed, chronic inflammation of the pancreas, blockages of the pancreas or bile duct caused by cancer, or cystic fibrosis. In the case of cystic fibrosis, the pancreas becomes scarred and is not able to properly secrete enzymes.

Pancreatin and Butterfat

• As previously mentioned, pancreatin consists of lipase, amalase and trypsin. Lipase is the enzyme responsible for the breakdown of fats. The lipase secreted by the pancreas is also called pancreatic lipase or steapsin. Steapsin acts on fats converting them into fatty acids and glycerol. Fatty acids and glycerol can then be used by the body for a variety of purposes.

  Lipase is also found in milk but a protective membrane generally protects the fat globules. When butter goes rancid, however, the existing lipase breaks the butterfat, creating an acid that renders the butter sour and inedible.

Precautions

• Pancreatin or any other version of pancreatic acid supplementation is not a cure for the condition. Always follow the dosage instructions provided by the doctor. If you experience diarrhea, constipation, upset stomach, vomiting, stomach cramps, bloating, gas and irritation around the anus then speak to your doctor. If you experience black tar-like stools, bloody diarrhea, rash or any sign of an allergic reaction, stomach pain or swelling, or swelling of joints, then call your doctor immediately.