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Anatomy and Physiology
pancreas is composed of two major types of tissue. The acini
secrete digestive enzymes and will be discussed in a later
chapter. Our present concern is the islets of Langerhans, which contain insulin producing beta cells and glucagon
producing alpha cells. The pancreas is about 6 inches long
and weighs approximately 3 ounces. It is located at the
level of the first lumbar vertebra, and parts of it touch
the aorta, left kidney, left adrenal, and spleen.
has the following functions:
1) It increases the rate of glucose metabolism, and glucose
that is not needed immediately by the cells is changed into
glycogen for storage (in the liver, skeletal muscles, and
skin), and fat (especially for storage in the adipose tissue
Decreases the glucose level in the blood and increases glucose
transport to skeletal, heart, smooth muscle, and fat cells. It
does not effect glucose transport to the brain or red blood cells.
It increases transport of amino acids into the cells and causes
an increase in protein synthesis.
along with growth hormone to promote growth.
a lack of insulin, the liver will start breaking down glycogen
and forming new glucose (gluconeogenesis). Fats will also be released
into the blood in the form of free fatty acids. Amino acids will
be released into the blood and very little protein synthesis will
take place. Over time with a lack of insulin, acetone and ketone
bodies will occur (due to largely burning fats instead of carbohydrates)-this
can lead to a state of acidosis. Also "protein wasting"
occurs and can lead to extreme weakness, weight loss, and organ
a diet high in sugar (especially refined sugars, molasses, maple
syrup, too much honey, and fruit juice) is eaten, the blood glucose
level increases rapidly. Insulin secretion is increased by 1000%
the first five minutes, then it somewhat decreases for about ten
minutes, then rises again after 2-3 hours.
diet consistently high in sugar and other refined sweets will
first lead to hypertrophy of the beta cells ( to increase insulin
production) and eventual burnout, with diabetes being a possible
is secreted by the alpha cells of the islets of Langerhans. Its
main function is to break down glycogen into glucose and to simulate
gluconeogenesis thus increasing the blood glucose level. When
blood glucose levels drop below 70 mg per 100 ml of blood, glucagon
is secreted in large quantities to prevent hypoglycemia and make
sure the brain is getting enough glucose (its major nutrient).
If left uncontrolled, glucagon could deplete the liver of glycogen
within four hours. Epinephrine and cortisol released by the adrenals
also raise blood sugar, as does growth hormone from the anterior
can see how the adrenals, pancreas, thyroid, pituitary, and liver
are all critical in keeping our blood sugar levels stable, and
often an abnormal condition resulting in a blood sugar handling
problem is due to malfunction in more than one organ or gland.
of Pancreas Malfunction
symptoms that may indicate pancreatic malfunction include headaches,
cold extremities, increased sweating, pain on the whole left side
of the body, sluggishness.
of low blood sugar from hyperinsulinism or too little glucagon,
epinephrine, or cortisol (thus there may be multiple organ involvement),
can include: feeling faint, tired, restless, weak, irritable,
shaky, depressed, light headed. The person will often awaken in
the middle of the night and have trouble falling back asleep.
A person with low blood sugar tends to have a poor memory, craves
sweets, may have a rapid heartbeat, or be prone to asthma or allergies,
and have poor concentration and a hard time learning. These type
people usually feel better after eating. Emotional rages are common.
of high blood sugar from hypoinsulinism or too much glucagon,
cortisol, or epinephrine, include weakness, nausea, headaches,
shortness of breath, increased thirst, acidosis, ketosis, increased
urination and dehydration, diarrhea, mood swings. In cases of
diabetes there is glucose in the urine, an increased likelihood
of eye diseases (in diabetes the retina which is totally dependent
on glucose for energy doesn’t get the amount it needs) including
blindness, heart disease (due to increased amounts of fat in the
blood), and gangrene (which often leads to amputation). Insulin
dependent diabetics have life spans decreased by as much as thirty
years. In diabetes you have decreased utilization of glucose by
the cells which accounts for many of these symptoms.
of Pancreas Malfunction
With very few exceptions - the foods God placed on the earth have
much lower sugar concentrations than the foods man has invented.
While a watermelon may be 5% sugar and a banana 20%, catsup can
be 30-50%, salad dressings and breakfast cereal up to 50% or more.
These man made sweet foods tend to make the pancreas overreact
and produce too much insulin. The resultant drop in blood sugar
leads us to crave sweets, thus we grab a snack and the cycle repeats
itself. In the beginning the resultant hypertrophy of the beta
cells leads to a hypoglycemic state but after years of overindulgence,
the beta cells burn out and diabetes can result. This type of
diet also does damage to the adrenals, thyroid, liver, pituitary,
immune system, etc.
Caffeine, chocolate, smoking, alcohol, marijuana, will have similar
results as concentrated sweets.
Eating in between meals won’t let the pancreas rest and can lead
to its exhaustion. Two or three meals daily with nothing in between
is ideal. The third meal (optional) is the evening meal
and should be very light (e.g. fruit and bread). Overeating has
the same effects.
Eating high protein, high fat, low carbohydrate meals, the kind
popular on weight loss programs, can over time damage the pancreas.
Ideally our calories should come from 10-15% unrefined fat, 10-15%
unrefined protein, 70-80% unrefined carbohydrates.
Oral contraceptives, thiazide (a diuretic used often to treat
high blood pressure), corticosteroids (cortisone etc.), caffeine,
nicotine, overdosing on niacin supplements, all increase blood
glucose levels and thus alter pancreatic secretions, and over
time could cause pancreatic dysfunction. The following also alter
glucose metabolism and over long periods of time could alter pancreatic
function: sulfa drugs, alcohol (both cause excessive glucose utilization),
oral ingestion of growth hormone, thyroid hormone, aspirin.
Insulin injections are necessary in cases of juvenile diabetes.
Adult onset diabetes is usually controllable without, if the patient
is willing to make lifestyle changes. If we take insulin injections
it gives our body less reason to produce our own insulin, and
many feel the beta cells slowly atrophy. Before going on insulin
for adult onset diabetes, it is the author’s opinion that we should
try to rejuvenate our pancreas so it produces enough insulin,
and live right lifestyles to insure a healthy body and proper
utilization of our insulin. Even in cases of juvenile onset diabetes,
insulin doses can be kept down by proper lifestyle.
There does seem to be a hereditary component to diabetes. We usually
inherit a tendency toward diabetes but proper diet, exercise,
etc., can usually stop the disease from developing even if the
tendency is there. There are cases of identical twins where only
one develops juvenile onset diabetes.
In many cases what is thought to be hereditary is due to indiscretion
in the mother’s lifestyle. A diabetic pregnant woman will often
use her fetus to partially supply her with needed insulin. Once
born, the infant has hypertrophied islets of Langerhans and the
resultant hyperinsulinism causes the infant to have hypoglycemia,
stunted growth, and altered tissue metabolism.
In studies of isolated tribes living on diets of only unrefined
foods, diabetes is virtually nonexistent. In some of these societies
white sugar, white flour, etc., have been introduced and within
a few years up to one third of the adult population have shown
signs of diabetes.
Leucine is an amino acid found in large concentrations in dairy
products. In some sensitive individuals ingestion of high leucine
foods causes a dramatic drop in blood sugar. With continued use
of dairy, the pancreas is overtaxed and altered function results.
Very few total vegetarians are diabetic compared to lacto-ovo-vegetarians
and meat eaters.
Exercise and sunlight both have positive effects in keeping blood
sugar regular. Lack of these can contribute to problems.
Nerve pressure in the mid thoracics can lead to pancreas malfunction.
Indications of Pancreas Malfunction
Abnormalities on 6 hour glucose tolerance test.
Inverted T-wave on EKG.
Taking a good history and monitoring symptoms closely can
catch a problem before it gets too serious.
At least one of the following muscles on one side may exhibit
weakness on manual muscle testing: latissimus dorsi, triceps,
sternocleidomastoid (see Appendix C and figures 3.1, 3.2,
Treatment and Prevention of Pancreas
1) Follow the adrenal recovery diet
listed in the adrenal chapter. Also limit yourself to 1 banana daily
if you eat bananas. Eat no dairy products. Don’t use saccharine
or aspartame. Eat 2 or 3 meals daily spaced at least 5 hours apart,
with only water or unsweetened herb tea in between meals. A low
protein, low fat, high unrefined carbohydrate diet is best.
Try to reach and maintain your ideal weight.
In adult onset diabetes a fast for 4-7 days followed by the before
mentioned diet will often partially or totally bring down elevated
blood sugar. This should be done only under a doctor’s supervision.
Have a good chiropractor see if nerve pressure is a contributory
cause. And in general try to trace down the cause and eliminate
it (see Appendix A).
Keep your stress level low, pray.
A one minute hot compress followed by thirty seconds of ice, alternate
four times. Do this twice daily over the pancreas or mid thoracic
spine. This will tend to normalize pancreatic secretions.
Sunbaths will cause the body (if your blood sugar is high) to
convert glucose to glycogen and thus lower your blood glucose
level. Caution: diabetics on insulin may need less if they get
Exercise will decrease blood sugar in diabetics and raise it in
hypoglycemics. At least 30-40 minutes of vigorous exercise 5-6
times a week is needed.
Short cold baths are beneficial to diabetics (hot extremity baths
should be avoided).
Rub vigorously 1 minute daily every other day a point between
the 7th and 8th ribs on the left where the ribs and cartilage
meet (see Appendix B).
For diabetics the following herb teas are reported beneficial:
mullein, uva ursi, cedar berries. String bean juice is also good.
For the pancreas in general dandelion, blueberry leaves, and huckleberry
leaves make healthful herb teas.
Get enough rest, drink 6-8 glasses of water daily, and get lots
of fresh air.
We have many products which help promote excellent pancreas health.
To view and order these products, please select your preferred
manufacturer below; To order on-line, simply click on the add to cart
button below each product. Our products can also be ordered
by calling us at ( 323 ) 661-1183.