Content
Not everyone knows if you can take pumpkin seeds for pancreatitis. This is a rather controversial question, which is difficult to answer unambiguously. On the one hand, the product contains a lot of fat, which is unfavorable for this disease. On the other hand, it contains beneficial substances that can alleviate the course of pancreatitis. So, is it possible to use pumpkin seeds for pancreatitis, it is worth understanding in detail.
Why is pancreatitis dangerous?
According to Russian researchers, Russia is the leader in the number of people suffering from pancreatitis. It is important to understand what is happening in the body. Leftovers of food enter the intestines, which are digested by pancreatic enzymes. Sometimes food becomes too abundant, oily, or alcohol gets into the digestive tract. In this case, the outflow of pancreatic enzymes is disrupted and the process of digestion of its own tissues begins - this is how pancreatitis develops. The inflammation that occurs in this case contributes to the gradual replacement of the tissues of the gland with adipose and scar tissue.
All this leads to the appearance of severe pain, which is constant or increasing. It is localized in the epigastric region, spreading mainly to the left side. You cannot tolerate pain in the acute form of pancreatitis, but you need to immediately seek medical help, because delay is life-threatening. If the diagnosis is made on time, the severity of the patient's condition is assessed, this gives more chances that the person will remain alive and in the future will have at least some quality of life.
Is it possible to eat pumpkin seeds for pancreatitis
People often eat pumpkin seeds as a treat. They are not only tasty, but also healthy. It is important to understand whether pumpkin seeds can be eaten with pancreatitis, because the pancreas does not like high fat content in food. And, as you know, there are plenty of them in seeds. It is an extremely fatty and high-calorie product.
In addition, pumpkin seeds contain a lot of fiber, which is quite difficult to digest. It is also not very favorable for the pancreas, so even a healthy person should not eat seeds "avidly", in irregular doses.
You should start taking with 10 pieces, gradually increasing to 30-40 g. The seeds can be added to salads, cereals, cocktails or eaten on their own. They go well with many products, first of all, it is milk and its derivatives, vegetables, cereals.
In what form to use
With pancreatitis, raw seeds are generally not recommended. They need to dry a little, but not in a pan, where they can burn and overcook. It is best to process seeds in the oven, electric dryer or microwave. With pancreatitis, pumpkin seeds are allowed to be consumed only under the condition of stable remission, which has lasted for at least 6 months.
In order for the seeds to benefit the body, they should not be subjected to high-temperature processing. In this case, healthy fats, which are rich in pumpkin seeds, are transformed into carcinogens, and vitamins are broken down.
The greatest danger is posed by seeds that are already sold in a peeled, roasted form. In this case, destructive pernicious processes were launched long ago and continued for a long period.The next danger that can come from pumpkin seeds is hidden in their improper storage: without a peel, in a ground state. Due to contact with air and light, all the same healthy fats are oxidized, which manifests itself in the appearance of bitterness and toxic properties.
Why pumpkin seeds are good for the pancreas
From time to time, during a period of stable remission, pumpkin seeds can be gradually introduced into the diet of a patient with pancreatitis. With careful and reasonable treatment, you can even get some benefit in alleviating the disease.
Pumpkin seeds contain a lot of zinc, which is very beneficial for the pancreas. To get this element in full, you should purchase seeds in the peel, clean them with your hands so as not to damage the tooth enamel, but use ground. The fact is that most of all zinc is contained in a thin white film that covers the refined seed.
Zinc has many properties that are essential for people suffering from diabetes, pancreatitis, obesity:
- stimulates the production of insulin;
- regulates the level of glycemia;
- facilitates the course of the digestive process;
- "Unloads" the pancreas;
- removes cholesterol;
- ensures the stability of visual function;
- improves metabolism, including the absorption of carbohydrates and fats;
- activates the immune system.
These are not all the beneficial properties of zinc. As you can see from the above, regular consumption of pumpkin seeds in reasonable amounts will help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes as one of the main complications of pancreatitis.
Rules for taking pumpkin seeds for pancreatitis
For any form of pancreatitis, pumpkin seeds should not be taken in excessive amounts. In each case, this product carries a certain degree of risk to the patient. With acute pancreatitis
In the acute phase of the disease, it is recommended to completely abstain from food for 2-5 days. Moreover, pumpkin seeds should not be consumed. This can worsen the condition and complicate health problems even more. If during this period you ignore pain and other pancreatic symptoms, do not consult a doctor and do not follow a diet, there is a threat of further severe complications and even death.
At the end of the acute period, doctors also recommend limiting the intake of fats, fatty meats, sausages, hard cheeses, etc. are contraindicated. Pumpkin seeds are also subject to restrictions here, so they are recommended to be consumed no more than 2 times a week.
With chronic pancreatitis
If pumpkin seeds are consumed with chronic pancreatitis, they can cause an outbreak of exacerbation. Diet in this case is the main therapeutic method for maintaining health. Therefore, the choice of food must be approached very carefully. If the patient's condition is unstable, exacerbations often occur, accompanied by a clinical picture characteristic of chronic pancreatitis, it is better to refuse to use pumpkin seeds.
During remission
You can eat pumpkin seeds for pancreatitis if the patient has a persistent improvement in his condition for a rather long time (> 3 months). The seeds should never be roasted, spicy, salty or sweet. You can eat only seeds, moderately dried in the oven, without damage.
With pancreatitis and cholecystitis
Doctors do not recommend eating pumpkin seeds for pancreatitis and cholecystitis at all. Very often these two diseases accompany each other. They are united by the fact that they are both inflammatory and affect the digestive process.Cholecystitis always accompanies a violation of the outflow of bile into the duodenum, its stagnation. In turn, this causes a disturbance in the outflow of pancreatic enzymes, as a result of which the tissues of the gland are reborn and lose their function.
Pumpkin seeds have a choleretic effect. And if the cause of pancreatitis is a blockage of the bile ducts due to dyskinesia, the presence of stones, parasites in them, the patient's condition may worsen significantly as a result of consuming seeds. Also, the seeds contain salicylic acid, which irritates the digestive tract and can exacerbate ulcers (stomach, duodenal ulcer), gastritis.
Contraindications
During the period of exacerbation, the use of any seeds for the patient is prohibited. The function of digesting fats during this period in the pancreas is seriously impaired or completely absent. The intake of such food excessively strains the organ, which can result in the occurrence of severe dagger-like pains in the left hypochondrium, nausea, and vomiting.
Excessive gas formation also appears, which presses on nearby internal organs, provoking pain and disruptions in their work. For example, pancreatitis often accompanies an irregular heartbeat, pain in this area. As a rule, it is not always possible to determine the true cause of this condition. And instead of the pancreas, the patient is treated with tachycardia or some other disease, which is actually just a symptom of pancreatitis.
Conclusion
Pumpkin seeds for pancreatitis should be used infrequently and with caution, in small quantities. Otherwise, they will be harmful and cause serious complications. With pancreatitis, pumpkin seeds can be eaten, but they should be taken in the peel, without damage, dried at a gentle temperature regime. Only such a product will be useful to patients.
