Why is Pancreas Health Important ?
Essentially your pancreas is responsible for converting food into fuel, then absorbing it into each cell.
Roles of the Pancreas
- Produces insulin and glucagon, hormones that play a role in blood sugar regulation.
- Produces enzymes like amylase, lipase, and trypsin for digestion.
- Produces hormones that regulate appetite.
- Reduces inflammations of the intestines.
- Supports your immune system.
- Assists with excretion.
Undesirable things happen in your body when your pancreas can’t function properly. Common pancreatic disorders include:
Diabetes
Diabetes develops when your body isn’t producing and or enough insulin due to autoimmunity (type 1 diabetes) or your body cells are unable to use insulin (type 2 diabetes). This, in turn, causes a spike in blood sugar levels when you consume a meal high in carbs.
Symptoms of the disorder include excessive thirst, frequent urination, hunger, fatigue, general body weakness and slow-healing wounds.
Pancreatitis
Simply put, it is the inflammation of the pancreas caused by blockage of the bile duct from bile stones. The symptoms include abdominal pain, weight loss, diarrhoea. mild jaundice and malnutrition.
When your pancreas is inflamed, it goes through a vicious cycle of mucus, acidity and impaired digestion.
How to Maintain A Healthy Pancreas
The pancreas can taste sugar, and with the issues of the pancreas, the response isn’t always sweet. Here are some ways you can promote the health of your pancreas: - Stay hydrated with plenty of spring water.
- Add anti-inflammatory berries and iron-rich greens to smoothies and juices/
- Avoid alcohol consumption.
- Reduce portion size and consider intermittent fasting or water fasting.
Plant-Based Foods That Are Good For The Pancreas
Alkaline grains, fruits and vegetables are pancreas friendly foods. Go for antioxidant-rich foods like berries, dark leafy greens, and grapes. Foods packed with healthy fats like avocados, walnuts, sesame, and coconut are also prime pancreas nutrition.
Cascara Sagrada
This is an herb used as a natural laxative for constipation. It also improves the liver, pancreas, and stomach secretions and is used to treat liver diseases and gallstones. It opens ducts for easy flow of enzymes in the digestive system.
Oregano
Oregano is not only a delicious herb but also contains phenolic anti-oxidants that aid blood sugar balance. It is loaded with anti-hyperglycaemic flavanols that curb sugar spikes.
Burdock Root
Commonly known for its cleansing properties it also contains antioxidants that enable it to protect cells from oxidative stress and reduce inflammation. Also, it has inhibitory effects on cell cycle irregularities and can help treat skin infections like acne and eczema.
Stinging Nettle
The Stinging nettle may cause pain if you come into contact with it, but give it a chance, the benefits of this herb may surprise you. It is packed with polyphenols, minerals, and antioxidants. Its components help to reduce inflammation and could help curb inflammatory conditions like pancreatitis.
