Dear Readers,
In this article we will discuss the functions and dysfunctions of Pancreas (Part-1) and in a subsequent article we will highlight the scientific evidence of how mindful yoga and meditation can help us to balance a dysfunctional Pancreas (Part-2).
The TL;DR
The pancreas is a glandular organ with both exocrine (makes and secretes digestive enzymes) and endocrine activities (secrete hormones).
Pancreatic hormones-insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, ghrelin and pancreatic polypeptide play important role in maintaining the homeostatic balance of glucose levels, roles in appetite and hunger.
Diabetes is the most common type of pancreatic disorder, it is an expanding global health problem, closely linked to the epidemic of obesity. Initial symptoms of diabetes include excessive urination and thirst.
Individuals with diabetes are at high risk for both microvascular complications (including retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy) and macrovascular complications (such as cardiovascular comorbidities). Explained simply in the article (1.3.1).
Type 2 diabetes can be managed with changes in diet and physical activity. Medication may also be used as part of the treatment, as may insulin injections.
Let’s dive deeper….
1.1 Pancreas
(According to Kundalini Yogis: Solar plexus or Manipura chakra)
Pancreas is located in the abdomen stretching from behind the stomach to the left upper abdomen near the spleen. It derives its name from the Greek which means all flesh (pân-all, kréas-flesh), there are no bone or cartilage present, and it has relatively uniform composition and consistency.
The pancreas is a mixed or heterocrine glandular organ with both exocrine and endocrine activities. 99% part of pancreas is exocrine and 1% part is endocrine.
Exocrine pancreas, the portion of the pancreas that makes and secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum. The main mass of the exocrine compartment consists of the acini. The acinar cells secrete enzymes involved in the digestion of proteins (trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen), fats (lipase, phospholipase, cholesterol esterase), and carbohydrates (amylase).
Endocrine pancreas, consists of cell clusters known as the islets of Langerhans (the islets) dispersed throughout the organ and are responsible for the production of endocrine hormones. The cells in the islets include alpha cells, which release glucagon; beta cells, which release insulin; delta cells, which release somatostatin; epsilon cells, which release ghrelin; and pancreatic polypeptide cells, which release pancreatic polypeptide.
Discovery Timeline
The Greek anatomist Herophilos (Father of Scientific Anatomy) first described it around 300 B.C. Because of its anatomical location, the pancreas was generally ignored in antiquity, both as an organ and as a seat of disease. No one knew whether the pancreas was an essential organ, like the stomach, or extraneous, like the appendix.
The first real discovery of the function of the pancreas in digestion was made by Claude Bernard (1813 to 1878), the great French physiologist.
In 1869, Paul Langerhans was the first to describe the structure of the islet tissue, which Laguesse in 1893 named the islands of Langerhans.
1.2 Endocrine Functions of Pancreas
The endocrine functions of Pancreas are controlled by four different cluster of cells, formerly known as islets of Langerhans, now pancreatic islets.
The alpha cell (20% of each islet): produces the hormone glucagon, which plays an important role in blood glucose regulation; low blood glucose levels stimulate its release.
The beta cell (75% of each islet): produces the hormone insulin, elevated blood glucose levels stimulate the release of insulin.
The delta cell (4% of each islet): secretes the peptide hormone somatostatin. This keep checks of both glucagon and insulin hormones by inhibiting their release.
The PP cell (1% of each islet): secretes the pancreatic polypeptide hormone which plays role in appetite, as well as in the regulation of pancreatic exocrine and endocrine secretions.
The epsilon cell secretes ghrelin in small amounts, it stimulates appetite, increases food intake and promotes fat storage. Because of these functions, it is termed the hunger hormone. This hormone is majorly secreted by brain and stomach.
Regulation of Blood Glucose Levels
Glucose is the preferred fuel for all body cells. The body derives glucose from the breakdown of the foods and drinks we consume. If not utilised immediately, glucose can be stored by the liver and muscles as glycogen, or is converted to triglycerides and stored in the adipose tissue (fat cells). When needed again, hormones give the signals to breakdown glycogen or fat again into glucose.
Pancreatic hormones regulate both the storage and the utilisation of glucose as required. Receptors located in the pancreas sense blood glucose levels, and subsequently the pancreatic cells secrete glucagon or insulin to maintain normal levels.
1.3 Pancreatic Abnormalities
1.3.1 Diabetes Mellitus:
By far the most common type of pancreatic disorder. There are many different types of diabetes, but diabetes mellitus is the most common. It occurs in two major types,
Type 1 diabetes: is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the insulin-secreting beta cells of the pancreas. As a result, people with type 1 diabetes lack the insulin needed to keep blood glucose levels within the normal range. For type 1 diabetics, insulin injections are critical for survival.
Type 2 diabetes: T2DM is an expanding global health problem, closely linked to the epidemic of obesity. The cause of high blood glucose in this form of diabetes usually includes a combination of insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion. Both genetic and environmental factors play roles in the development of T2DM. T2DM can be managed with changes in diet and physical activity, which may increase insulin sensitivity and help reduce blood glucose levels to normal ranges. Medication may also be used as part of the treatment as may insulin injections.
Pre-diabetes: This type is the stage before T2DM. Your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be officially diagnosed with T2DM.
Gestational diabetes: This type develops in some women during their pregnancy. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after pregnancy. However, if you have gestational diabetes you're at higher risk of developing T2DM later on in life.
Initial symptoms of diabetes, include excessive urination and thirst. These symptoms occur because the kidneys excrete more urine in an attempt to get rid of the excess glucose in blood. Loss of water in urine thus stimulates greater thirst.
Other Symptoms of diabetes include:
Weak, tired feeling.
Blurred vision.
Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.
Slow-healing sores or cuts.
Unplanned weight loss.
Frequent unexplained infections.
Dry mouth.
Dry and itchy skin, and frequent yeast infections or urinary tract infections (in women)
Decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, decreased muscle strength (in men).
Over time, persistently high levels of glucose in the blood injure tissues throughout the body, especially those of the blood vessels and nerves. Inflammation and injury of the lining of arteries lead to atherosclerosis and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Damage to the microscopic blood vessels of the kidney, impairs kidney function and can lead to kidney failure. Damage to blood vessels that serve the eyes can lead to blindness. Blood vessel damage also reduces circulation to the limbs, whereas nerve damage leads to a loss of sensation, called neuropathy, particularly in the hands and feet. Together, these changes increase the risk of injury, infection, and tissue death (necrosis), contributing to a high rate of toe, foot, and lower leg amputations in people with diabetes.
Uncontrolled diabetes can also lead to a dangerous form of metabolic acidosis called ketoacidosis. Deprived of glucose, cells increasingly rely on fat stores for fuel. However, in a glucose-deficient state, the liver is forced to use an alternative lipid metabolism pathway that results in the increased production of ketone bodies (or ketones), which are acidic. The build-up of ketones in the blood causes ketoacidosis, which—if left untreated—may lead to a life-threatening “diabetic coma.”
Less common types of diabetes include:
Monogenic diabetes syndromes: rare inherited forms of diabetes, like neonatal diabetes and maturity-onset diabetes of the young.
Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes: This is a form of diabetes specific to people with this disease.
Drug or chemical-induced diabetes: Examples of this type happen after organ transplant, following HIV/AIDS treatment or are associated with glucocorticoid steroid use.
Diabetes insipidus is a distinct rare condition that causes your kidneys to produce a large amount of urine.
Diabetes Management
Early detection of diabetes is crucial to either stop or limit the adverse effects. Listen to your body and watch for the symptoms, regular blood sugar checkups will also help. If you have history of diabetes in family, then cut down sugar and carbs in your food and be attentive to your body. Regular aerobic exercises, yoga and meditation also play an important role in regulating diabetes (we will discuss this in detail in Part-2).
To learn more about the diet plan for diabetes management check this video by Dr. Sarah Hallberg, she recommends low carb-high fat diet for diabetic patients.
Please note: This video is for informational purposes only. For a specific diet plan, refer to your nutrionist, diabetologist or physician.
**If interested to learn about the correlation between obesity and diabetes, watch the Amazon Prime Series: Why are we Fat?
1.3.2 Pancreatitis
It is painful inflammation of the pancreas that has many possible causes.
1.3.3 Pancreatic cancer:
It is an aggressive and devastating disease, which is characterised by invasiveness, rapid progression and profound resistance to treatment. Pancreatic cancer of the endocrine tissues is rare, but increasing in frequency. It is generally discovered too late to cure surgically. Smoking is a major risk factor for pancreatic cancer.
Do u know? Each food has its own Glycemic Index (GI), which is a value assigned to foods based on how slowly or how quickly those foods cause increases in blood glucose levels. So, if you don’t want to overwhelm the pancreas with too much glucose, combine food with high GI (fruits) with a low GI one (a vegetable), for example combine banana with cucumber!!
If you found the article of interest or have thoughts about what you’ve read here, please do share in the comments section below. It will help guide my future posts.
In the next article (3.6/n - Part 2), I will cover the science behind the effects of Yoga on the pancreatic Glands. Until then, Stay healthy and happy :)
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