If you have chronic pancreatitis that causes abdominal pain and nausea. You know it hurts and it hurts a lot. Despite the prescription pain relievers, you have a natural alternative that addresses the underlying condition and can help rebuild your pancreas.
There are many ways to help yourself. Most Americans associate the pancreas with diabetes, not pancreatitis, which is becoming very common. It is associated with dangerous complications and sometimes leads to pancreatic cancer. In March 2008, “Dirty Dancing” star Patrick Swayze was diagnosed with it and last July, inspiring college professor and author of The Last Lecture Randy Pausch died from it. So it would be smart to take care of your pancreas now.
The condition has been linked to gallstones and autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis or celiac disease (gluten intolerance). Drinking alcohol puts you on the fast track to developing pancreatitis. You should eat foods low in fat and starch and lots of fruits and vegetables. There is no white flour or sugar anymore. Eat grain-free or at least gluten-free meals. Don’t overeat, your pancreas doesn’t produce enough enzymes to digest large meals, and if you do, your digestive juices become muddy and don’t drain properly. That is why people with pancreatitis are always a meal away from the hospital.
The pain is usually worse after eating, so many people stop eating for several days during an attack. There is a spectacular weight loss. Worse than that, fasting can cause potassium levels to plummet, leading to muscle aches, leg cramps, weakness, spasms, and heart palpitations. If you must fast and cannot go to a hospital for IV fluids, take frequent sips of Pedialyte, liquid minerals, and powdered green drinks or spirulina. When you start eating, start with clear liquids, then baby food, and so on.
Valuable supplements include dandelion, uva ursi, selenium, and L-glutamine. Here are some others:
L-methionine: helps reduce pain. About 1,000 mg two or three times a day.
Pancreatic enzymes: they replenish missing enzymes in the pancreas to help break down food. Prescription brands include Creon, Ultrase, or Pancrease, and you can buy weaker versions at the health food store like Lypo Gold or Ultra Pancreatin.
Silica: rebuilds pancreatic tissues and can prevent diabetes. Follow the directions on the label, about 100 to 150 mg twice a day. You may see horsetail herb on product labels because horsetail is a rich source of silica.
NAC (N-Acetylcysteine): May reduce pain and inflammation by improving detoxification and drainage of digestive fluids. This is cutting edge, not widely accepted. Try about 600 to 1200 mg three times a day, but not if you have kidney stones.
Curcumin (Curcuma longa): Found in the spice of turmeric. Reduces inflammation of the pancreas. Marvelous! Take 500 – 700 mg two or three times a day; if combined with milk thistle, even better.
Probiotics: friendly gut bacteria that improve digestion and reduce the risk of cancer.
Did you know
Oscillococcinum is a natural homeopathic remedy that can reduce fever, chills, and aches and pains associated with colds and flu.