Pancreatitis: Limit Animal Fats

 Irina Gusakova

Pancreatitis is a disease that occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. In severe cases, it can also lead to malnutrition and weight loss. A well-balanced and nutritious diet can play a significant role in treating pancreatitis and improving overall health. What can you eat with pancreatitis - Rustem Sadykov, a dietitian, gastroenterologist, Ph.D., head of AlfaBiom, told readers.

There is a classic approach to nutrition in diseases of the pancreas. The nutrition protocol was developed by Manuil Pevzner and is called "Table No. 5". The main goal of the diet is to use foods that do not cause an abundant secretion of digestive enzymes by the gland. In the standard menu for pancreatitis - warm dishes with a liquid, semi-liquid or mushy consistency. They can be cooked in a double boiler or oven. Due to difficult digestion, restrictions apply to fried foods. 

Against the background of a decrease in pancreatic enzymes, they can ferment, causing bloating and abdominal pain. Raw vegetables and fruits are also limited due to their ability to provoke gas exchange, as they contribute to the formation of gases in the intestines. 

The first step in treating pancreatitis with this diet is to limit your intake of animal fats. Fat is difficult for the pancreas to digest and can exacerbate inflammation, so it's important to limit the amount of fat in your diet. Saturated and trans fats in particular should be limited as they can be especially harmful to the pancreas.

Good sources of unsaturated fats, such as those found in nuts, seeds, and avocados, can be included in the diet in moderation. It is important to limit your alcohol intake, which is a common trigger for pancreatitis and can make symptoms worse. Eat small amounts. This is often also important for those suffering from pancreatitis. This helps reduce stress on the pancreas and reduces the risk of further inflammation. It is recommended to eat six small meals throughout the day, not three large ones. This helps maintain stable blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of malnutrition.

Protein is an important component of the pancreatitis diet. It is important to choose high quality protein sources such as lean meats, fish, eggs and legumes. They help support the body's healing and repair processes, promoting overall health. It is also important to stay hydrated, as dehydration can aggravate the symptoms of pancreatitis. Try to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day, it is better to choose table water. It's also important to limit your caffeine intake, as it can increase inflammation and worsen symptoms.

After analysing the causes of pancreatitis, the doctor must independently determine which foods should be excluded from the diet. Thus, most often the patient is transferred to an autoimmune protocol or a personal immune diet, during which non-standard foods (fatty, fried, salty, spicy) and those that cause inflammation are excluded (for example, some people cannot tolerate casein - dairy products fall under ban, in other people inflammation causes chicken egg protein - we also exclude it).

It is also important to remember that the pancreas is sensitive to sugar, as it is directly related to the production of insulin. Therefore, at the time of exacerbation of pancreatitis, it is important to exclude all sugar, all fructose and sweeteners.