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pancreas It is necessary to stay alive and healthy. This small organ is located behind the stomach and has two main functions. It produces digestive enzymes that break down food and hormones insulin and glucagon which regulates blood sugar.
Everyday habits such as heavy drinking and unhealthy eating can gradually damage the pancreas. Once injured, the consequences can be severe and serious. Swelling, diabetes And, in some cases, cancer.
Several common lifestyle factors can put pressure on the pancreas:
1. Alcohol
Regular heavy drinking is one of the major causes of pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis causes severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting and often requires hospital care. Repeated episodes can develop into chronic pancreatitis, where long-lasting inflammation and scarring permanently reduce pancreatic function.
This can lead to malabsorption of fats, vitamins and other nutrients, and increased risk of diabetes and pancreatic cancer. Researchers have several theories about how this damage occurs.
Liquor Can cause digestive enzymes such as trypsin, which normally work in the small intestine, to become active inside the pancreas before reaching the intestine. Instead of digesting food, they digest pancreatic tissue and cause severe inflammation.
Alcohol also makes pancreatic juice thick and sticky. These thick fluids can form protein plugs that harden into stones and block small tubes. Over time this causes irritation, scarring, and loss of pancreas cells. When the pancreas breaks down alcohol it produces a toxic chemical called acetaldehyde that irritates and damages cells and triggers inflammation.
Alcohol also encourages the release of chemical messengers that switch on inflammation and keep it active. This increases the possibility of tissue damage.
Guidelines recommend drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol per week. It’s safest to spread it out over several days and avoid excessive drinking.
2. Smoking
Smoking increases the risk of both acute and chronic pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis develops suddenly with severe pain and illness. Chronic pancreatitis develops over many years and repeated inflammation causes permanent damage. Many studies show that the more a person smokes, the greater the risk. Another study found that quitting reduces the risk significantly, and after about 15 years the risk can be equal to that of a non-smoker.
About the author
Deepa Kamdar is a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at Kingston University.
This article was first published Conversation And it is republished under a Creative Commons license. read the original article,
Smoking is also closely related to pancreatic cancer. Scientists don’t yet fully understand every mechanism, but laboratory studies suggest that nicotine can trigger a sudden increase in calcium inside pancreas cells. Too much calcium damages cells and increases inflammation. Tobacco smoke also contains carcinogens that damage DNA.
One of the earliest genetic changes in pancreatic cancer involves a gene called Kras, which acts like a switch that controls cell growth. This gene is mutated in more than 90 percent of pancreatic cancers, which turns the growth switch off to the on position and encourages uncontrolled cell growth.
3. Diet
Diet affects the pancreas in many ways. Eating too much saturated fat, processed meat or refined carbohydrates increases the risk of pancreas problems.
A major cause of acute pancreatitis is gallstones. Gallstones can block the bile duct and trap digestive enzymes inside the pancreas. When enzymes start building up they start damaging the organ. Diet contributes to the formation of gallstones because high cholesterol levels make gallstones more likely to form.
Another type of fat in the blood is triglycerides. When triglycerides rise to very high levels, large fat particles known as chylomicrons can clog small blood vessels in the pancreas. This reduces the supply of oxygen and triggers the secretion of harmful fatty acids that irritate the pancreatic tissue.
Repeated increases in blood sugar from high-sugar foods also put pressure on the pancreas. Persistent increases in insulin over time reduce insulin sensitivity and may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.
4. Obesity
Obesity increases the risk of acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer. Fat can accumulate in and around the pancreas, a condition called pancreatic steatosis or non-alcoholic fatty pancreas disease. This buildup can replace healthy cells and weaken the organ.
Excess body fat also increases levels of pro-inflammatory molecules such as TNF-alpha and IL-6, causing long-lasting inflammation that aids tumor growth. Obesity impairs insulin sensitivity and hormone signals from adipose tissue. Gallstones are more common in obese people and may increase the risk of pancreatitis.
5. Physical inactivity
A sedentary lifestyle worsens insulin resistance and forces the pancreas to produce more insulin. Without the activity that helps the muscles absorb glucose, the pancreas is under constant stress. This metabolic stress increases susceptibility to diabetes and pancreatic cancer.
Physical activity may directly and indirectly reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer. It supports immune function, improves cell health, reduces obesity and reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes. Regular activity strengthens antioxidant defenses and increases the activity of disease-fighting immune cells.
Pancreatic cancer can lead to diabetes, because the damaged pancreas cannot produce enough insulin. Diabetes may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.
Adults are encouraged to incorporate strength training at least twice a week and aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week.
Because pancreatic conditions can be life-threatening, it is important to recognize early symptoms. Seek medical advice if you have persistent stomach pain, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting that does not go away, jaundice, greasy or foul-smelling stools, or chronic fatigue.
Many risks are modifiable. Limiting alcohol intake, quitting smoking, eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and staying physically active all reduce the chance of pancreatic disease. Even small changes like choosing plant-based proteins or reducing sugary beverages help lighten the load on this vital organ.
By understanding how the pancreas becomes damaged and noticing the symptoms early, you can take simple steps to save it. Take care of your pancreas and it will take care of you.