Pancreas: Function & Health
Pancreas - Dual Function Organ
Medical Disclaimer: The information below provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Any treatment protocol should be discussed with a qualified healthcare practitioner.
🔬 Pancreas Function
The pancreas is both an endocrine gland (producing several important hormones, including insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin), as well as an exocrine gland, secreting pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes that pass to the small intestine.
🔹 Endocrine Function
- • Produces insulin
- • Produces glucagon
- • Produces somatostatin
🔹 Exocrine Function
- • Secretes digestive enzymes
- • Breaks down carbohydrates
- • Breaks down proteins & fats
🩺 Insulin & Glucose Regulation
The main work of insulin is to improve the ability of your body to use and store sugar (glucose). When blood glucose levels are high, kidneys try to remedy the situation by excreting glucose in urine.
⚠️ Insulin Resistance
Note: The more we weigh, the more insulin our pancreas will pump out after a meal. The body's need for more insulin to burn the same amount of fat in an obese person is called "insulin resistance."
🥬 Maintaining a Healthy Pancreas
🎯 Key Strategy
Eating nine servings of vegetables instead of the frequently recommended five servings will be an important step in keeping your pancreas healthy, including protecting it against pancreatic cancer. This could cut your risk in half!
🌟 Recommended Foods
Focus on vegetables high in vitamin C, carotenoids, folate, and fiber:
🫘 Legumes
Soybeans, lima beans, lentils
🧅 Allium Vegetables
Onions, garlic, arugula
🥦 Cruciferous
Broccoli, brussels sprouts
🥬 Dark Leafy Greens
Spinach, kale, mustard, chard
🥕 Orange-Yellow Veggies
Corn, squash, sweet potatoes, carrots
🐟 Proteins
Fish, eggs, poultry
☀️ Additional Support
Vitamin D supplementation is also recommended for pancreatic health.
🚫 Avoid
Processed meats should be avoided for optimal pancreatic health.
🎗️ Pancreatic Cancer Prevention
📊 Research Findings
A 2005 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found those with high glucose levels to be at increased risk for developing cancer and dying from cancer. A higher death rate for all cancers, approximately 29%, was reported in these patients.
The nutrient-dense foods listed above will help balance blood sugars. Eliminating sugary and starchy foods prevents undesirable spikes in blood sugar levels.
🌿 Supportive Nutrition
🍇 Resveratrol (Grape Skins & Red Wine)
Rochester researchers showed that resveratrol, a natural antioxidant found in grape skins and red wine, can help destroy pancreatic cancer cells by reaching the cell's core energy source (mitochondria) and crippling its function.
💡 Better Choice
Drink red or purple grape juice instead to get the benefits without the risks of alcohol consumption.
Caution: While red wine contains resveratrol, alcohol can worsen high blood pressure and diabetes, and heavy use is linked to liver cirrhosis and various cancers.
🖤 Nigella Sativa Seeds (Black Cumin)
Also known as: Black Cumin, Fennel Flower, Nutmeg Flower, Roman Coriander, Blackseed, Black Caraway, Black Onion Seed
Researchers at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson found that thymoquinone, an extract of nigella sativa seed oil, blocked pancreatic cancer cell growth and enhanced programmed cell death (apoptosis).
🌍 Traditional Uses
- • Asthma and bronchitis
- • Rheumatism and inflammation
- • Milk production support
- • Digestive health
- • Parasitic infections
- • Skin conditions (eczema, boils)
🌟 Turmeric - The #1 Anti-Cancer Spice
Turmeric is often referred to as the No. 1 anticancer spice and is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Add 1/4 teaspoon at the end of cooking to almost any food.
🔬 Research Results
When researchers added Curcumin (which gives turmeric its bright yellow color) to cancerous pancreas cells, production of cancerous cells practically shut down due to a clampdown on cytokines - chemicals linked to tumor growth and cell survival.
🧂 Epsom Salt
Epsom salt delivers sulfates that stimulate the pancreas to generate digestive enzymes and help detoxify the body's residue of medicines and environmental contaminants.
⚠️ Caution: Professional guidance is recommended when using Epsom salt therapeutically.