Key Takeaways
- EPI can affect digestion and nutrient absorption.
- Malabsorption associated with EPI can contribute to nutritional complications.
- Potential nutritional concerns include unintended weight loss and deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins.
- EPI does not automatically mean that someone will develop malnutrition.
- PERT is commonly used to treat EPI and can help improve digestion and nutrient absorption.
- Nutrition needs are individual and should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
- Eligible patients may be able to receive nutrition counseling through My EPI Plan.
When you think about Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI), symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, gas, and greasy stools may come to mind.
But EPI can affect more than digestion.
Because EPI can interfere with the digestion and absorption of nutrients, some people may also experience nutritional complications. These can include unintended weight loss, vitamin deficiencies, and malnutrition.
Understanding the connection between EPI, digestion, and nutrition can help you identify questions to discuss with your healthcare provider.
It can also be helpful to have access to reliable nutrition education. My EPI Plan provides eligible patients with access to nutrition-focused counseling with a registered dietitian to help them better understand and incorporate positive nutritional decisions into their daily routines.
How Can EPI Affect Nutrition?
Your pancreas plays an important role in digestion.
It produces enzymes that help break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats so that nutrients can be absorbed by the small intestine.
With EPI, the pancreas does not provide enough digestive enzymes for normal digestion. This can contribute to malabsorption, meaning the body may not absorb enough nutrients from food.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) notes that EPI-related malabsorption can contribute to malnutrition and low levels of fat-soluble vitamins.
This is one reason nutrition can be an important part of managing EPI.
What Is Malnutrition?
Malnutrition doesn’t simply mean not eating enough food.
It can also mean that the body isn’t getting or absorbing enough of the nutrients it needs.
For someone with EPI, impaired digestion can make it more difficult to absorb certain nutrients even when they are eating regularly.
That’s why paying attention to nutritional health can be important when living with EPI.
What Are the Signs of Malnutrition in EPI?
Nutritional problems can look different from person to person.
Some potential signs or complications to discuss with your healthcare provider include:
Unintentional Weight Loss
Unexpected weight loss can occur when the body isn’t adequately absorbing nutrients or calories.
Weight loss can have many possible causes, however, so it shouldn’t automatically be attributed to EPI.
Fatigue or Low Energy
Feeling tired can have many causes, including inadequate nutrition.
If fatigue is persistent or occurs alongside other digestive symptoms, discuss it with your healthcare provider.
Weakness
Changes in nutritional status can sometimes contribute to weakness or reduced physical function.
Persistent or unexplained weakness should be medically evaluated.
Vitamin Deficiencies
EPI-related malabsorption can contribute to deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.
Your healthcare provider may recommend blood tests or other assessments when appropriate.
Changes in Bone Health
Long-term nutritional problems can affect bone health.
NIDDK notes that EPI and malabsorption can be associated with low bone mass, including osteopenia and osteoporosis.
Why Are Vitamins A, D, E, and K Important?
Vitamins A, D, E, and K are known as fat-soluble vitamins.
Unlike water-soluble vitamins, they are absorbed along with dietary fat.
Because fat digestion can be particularly affected by insufficient pancreatic enzymes, fat-soluble vitamin status can be an important consideration for people with EPI.
Your healthcare provider can determine whether vitamin testing or supplementation is appropriate.
Do not start high-dose vitamin supplements on your own. Your individual needs depend on your health, nutritional status, medications, and other factors.
Does EPI Always Cause Malnutrition?
No.
Having EPI does not mean that you will automatically develop malnutrition.
The severity of EPI, the underlying cause, treatment, nutritional intake, and other health factors can all influence nutritional status.
Appropriate medical management can help address digestive symptoms and nutritional complications.
NIDDK states that pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) can improve EPI symptoms and help people obtain nutrients from food and beverages.
What Role Do Digestive Enzymes Play?
Digestive enzymes help break food into nutrients that your body can absorb.
The pancreas produces several important digestive enzymes, including enzymes involved in the digestion of:
- Fat
- Protein
- Carbohydrates
When pancreatic enzyme production is insufficient, digestion can be impaired.
For people diagnosed with EPI, healthcare providers may prescribe pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT).
PERT contains pancreatic enzymes and is generally taken with meals and snacks according to a healthcare provider’s instructions.
Can Nutrition Help With EPI?
Nutrition is an important part of overall digestive health.
However, there isn’t one universal EPI diet that works for everyone.
Your nutritional needs may depend on factors including:
- The severity of EPI
- Your underlying condition
- Your symptoms
- Your nutritional status
- Other medical conditions
- Your current treatment
A registered dietitian can help you understand your individual nutrition needs.
That’s one of the areas where My EPI Plan can provide additional support for eligible patients.
Through nutrition-focused counseling, the program is designed to help patients better understand nutrition and incorporate positive nutritional decisions into their daily routines.
If you are living with EPI and want to learn more about the relationship between nutrition, digestion, and overall health, explore My EPI Plan.
Eligible patients may qualify for up to 3 hours of complimentary counseling with a registered dietitian.
Visit the My EPI Plan program page to learn more about the program, available support, and eligibility requirements.
