source: OncoLink - PennMedicine

authors: Katrina VB. Claghorn

Pancreatic enzymes help digest fat, protein and carbohydrates in the food you eat. However, diseases that affect the pancreas such as cancer of the pancreas, pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, or surgeries that involve the pancreas, may block the release or reduce the amount of digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas.

Without enough pancreatic enzymes, the foods you eat won’t be fully digested and you won’t absorb all the nutrients and calories available from them. This is sometimes called malabsorption, meaning you aren’t absorbing all your nutrition.

Symptoms of malabsorption can include:
• Gas.
• Bloating.
• Loose stools.
• Diarrhea.
• Pain after eating.
• Weight loss due to malabsorption.