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Lipase is an enzyme the pancreatic cells produce to metabolize fats for intestinal absorption. Mainly, it breaks down triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol.
In many cases, low lipase levels mean that there are problems or damages that impact the functions of the pancreas. However, it may also suggest other medical causes.
To increase low lipase levels, the leading cause must be determined and addressed. Plus, dietary adjustments and other specific treatments must be followed. Learn the details on how you can raise your low lipase levels.
Knowing the true cause of the drop in your lipase levels is the most reliable way to deal with the condition. Low lipase levels may signal a more serious health condition. After all, it is more of a symptom than a standalone disease.
You should secure an appointment with your healthcare provider to learn the underlying reason behind decreased lipase. You will likely have to take a lipase blood test to see the actual levels of the enzyme in your system.
However, low lipase alone does not lead to the diagnosis of the condition. You will have to detail other symptoms you’ve observed and perhaps take additional tests as instructed by your doctor. These steps are necessary to isolate your condition from the typical low lipase levels causes. After this, the proper treatment will be prescribed, typically resolving the lipase issue.
If your test result indicates low lipase, it can be associated with specific conditions or particular medicines. While the only real way to know which health problem causes the abnormality in the enzyme you may benefit from a better understanding of how these conditions influence lipase levels. Here are some of the most common conditions linked to having lower lipase levels.
Considering the pancreas produces lipase, conditions affecting this organ can cause a significant drop in the enzyme’s levels. These pancreatic disorders include pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis (1). Likewise, it also covers conditions directly affecting the pancreas, such as cystic fibrosis.
Long-term medical problems often can impact the functions of the pancreas or small intestines, directly influencing lipase production.
For example, type 2 diabetes can cause damage to the pancreas over time. On the other hand, digestive health conditions like Celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can hinder proper absorption of nutrients required for lipase secretion, such as protein, fatty acids, and certain vitamins and minerals (2).
Severe malnutrition due to unwanted or deliberate starvation can lead to low lipase levels as your body depletes all nutrients for energy production to support basic biological processes. In this event, there may not be enough surplus for enzymatic production (3).
Long-term excessive and uncontrollable consumption of alcohol can eventually damage the pancreas, leading to inadequate release of lipase. Alcohol and its metabolites cause toxicity to the cells, triggering inflammation and even cell death (4).
Some medicines interfere with lipase production. Hence, it may lead to low lipase levels. These include statins, fibrates, and weight-loss or cholesterol-lowering medications.
It is possible to check your lipase levels without meeting your doctor first, especially if you secure a request through an online blood testing appointment. However, to identify the underlying cause, you’ll have to work closely with your healthcare provider.
Not all prescribed or over-the-counter drugs may influence your lipase production. However, it is still best to let your doctor know of all the medications you’re taking. Some medicines may cause side effects that impact pancreas function.
Applying specific changes in your diet can help increase low lipase levels. For example, adopting a low-fat diet can decrease the demand for lipase as there will be fewer fats to break down in the small intestine. This allows the pancreas to rest and recover faster.
In addition, consuming small but frequent meals also helps reduce the workload for the pancreas. Conversely, large amounts of food can overwhelm the organ and the intestine, causing lipase production and absorption issues (5).
Moreover, add more sources of probiotics to your meals. Ensuring your gut bacteria are adequate helps with the absorption of nutrients involved in lipase production.
Additionally, alcohol cessation is highly encouraged, especially for those dealing with alcohol abuse. This allows your pancreas to heal and limit exposure to harmful toxins that deteriorate its function.
Nutritional deficiencies can influence lipase production and absorption. Thus, your healthcare provider may request testing for nutrient deficiencies, depending on the initial assessment.
For example, if you have insufficient vitamin A, selenium, and zinc, you may experience low lipase, as these nutrients are crucial in pancreatic functions.
Additionally, you may also consider supplements that contain lipase and other pancreatic enzymes already. However, you need to consult your doctor first to make sure this is aligned with your treatment.
Avocados are the most popular foods that contain high levels of lipase. Other natural foods that are rich in the said enzyme include pineapple, papaya, mangoes, bananas, pine nuts, and walnuts. Several fermented foods also contain a rich amount of lipase, such as kefir, sauerkraut, miso, and kimchi.
Treatment for lipase deficiency depends on the severity of the condition, type of lipase deficiency, and other individual factors. For example, enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) may be necessary for acid lipase deficiency. On the other hand, in some cases, dietary changes may suffice. Which treatment fits your condition depends on your doctor’s assessment and recommendations.
Studies showed that fasting can raise certain types of lipids. For example, the hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), which helps break down the stored fats in adipose tissues, increases after an extended abstinence from foods and drinks for about three to five days. Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), another type of lipase, has also been observed to increase after a 72-hour fast (6).
While these studies suggest the potential impact of fasting on increasing lipase levels, it’s crucial to note that abstinence should be referred to your healthcare provider first. Getting a medical clearance to fast can ensure you’re getting the maximum benefit of fasting and avoiding complications that may be specific to your health status.
Effectively addressing low lipase levels requires a comprehensive approach. This involves identifying and treating the underlying cause, whether it’s a pancreatic disorder, chronic illness, malnutrition, alcohol abuse, or medication side effects. Plus, it may involve dietary modifications, medication adjustments, or supplementation. In addressing low lipase levels, collaborate with your healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plans.
1 Oh HC, Kwon CI, El Hajj II, Easler JJ, Watkins J, Fogel EL, McHenry L, Sherman S, Zimmerman MK, Lehman GA. Low Serum Pancreatic Amylase and Lipase Values Are Simple and Useful Predictors to Diagnose Chronic Pancreatitis. Gut Liver. 2017 Nov 15;11(6):878-883. doi: 10.5009/gnl17066. PMID: 29081212; PMCID: PMC5669605.
2 Conti Bellocchi MC, Crinò SF, De Marchi G, De Pretis N, Ofosu A, Caldart F, Ciccocioppo R, Frulloni L. A Clinical and Pathophysiological Overview of Intestinal and Systemic Diseases Associated with Pancreatic Disorders: Causality or Casualty? Biomedicines. 2023 May 8;11(5):1393. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines11051393. PMID: 37239064; PMCID: PMC10216811.
3 Madro A. Malnutrition in Chronic Pancreatitis: Causes, Assessment Methods, and Therapeutic Management. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020 Aug 8;2020:8875487. doi: 10.1155/2020/8875487. PMID: 32832490; PMCID: PMC7429756.
4 Pezzilli R. Alcohol Abuse and Pancreatic Diseases: An Overview. Recent Pat Inflamm Allergy Drug Discov. 2015;9(2):102-6. doi: 10.2174/1872213×09666150430125052. PMID: 25925405.
5 Thomas T, Mah L, Barreto SG. Systematic review of diet in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis: a tale of too much or too little? Saudi J Gastroenterol. 2012 Sep-Oct;18(5):310-5. doi: 10.4103/1319-3767.101124. PMID: 23006458; PMCID: PMC3500019.
6 Nielsen TS, Vendelbo MH, Jessen N, Pedersen SB, Jørgensen JO, Lund S, Møller N. Fasting, but not exercise, increases adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) protein and reduces G(0)/G(1) switch gene 2 (G0S2) protein and mRNA content in human adipose tissue. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Aug;96(8):E1293-7. doi: 10.1210/jc.2011-0149. Epub 2011 May 25. PMID: 21613358.
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