Doctor names pancreas-destroying habits

The pancreas is the most important organ of the digestive system, which not only produces enzymes for digestion, but also hormones necessary for the full functioning of the body. What factors and habits negatively affect the health of the pancreas, "Izvestia" was told on November 21 by doctor-gastroenterologist "SM-Clinica" Evgenia Melnikova.

First of all, according to her, such bad habits as alcohol consumption and smoking have an impact.

"Alcohol has a truly devastating effect on the pancreas - it is the cause of chronic pancreatitis in 70% of cases. Consumption of just 60-80 ml of pure ethanol per day can lead to this disease. And smoking, in turn, increases the risk of this pathology three times, in combination with alcohol significantly accelerating the destruction of the pancreas", - explained the expert.

Another risk factor for the pancreas, she called improper diet, which is dominated by high-calorie food with an excess of saturated fats and refined carbohydrates. Such a diet provokes inflammatory reactions in the organ and can cause insulin resistance (decreased sensitivity of tissues to insulin), depletion of pancreatic cells responsible for its production, and, as a consequence, to diabetes mellitus.

In addition, the condition of the organ is negatively affected by the uncontrolled intake of medications, which can lead to pancreatitis. Among them: sulfonamides, tetracyclines, methyldopa, estrogens, valproic acid, furosemide, azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine and others.

"The condition of the pancreas is largely determined by lifestyle. Therefore, the abandonment of bad habits, control over nutrition and taking medications under the supervision of a doctor are key factors in maintaining its health," - summarized Melnikova.

Earlier, on October 3, Natalia Kharchenko, a gastroenterologist at the EMC European Medical Center, said that the most common cause of vitamin absorption disorders is biliary dyskinesia, i.e. uneven bile flow. According to the specialist, first of all, the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K is impaired. The outflow of bile can be impeded due to stress, which affects hormonal and nervous signals.