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	Search Quick Order Form» Departments Vitamins Minerals Supplements Herbs Home & Grocery Diet & Fitness Body & Bath More Ways to Shop Brands A-Z Natural Remedies Children & Infants Women's Health Men's Health Seniors Newsletter Sign Up Weekly health news, sale announcements and coupons!		Library Home > Nutritional and Dietary Supplements > Lipase LIPASE What it does Where found Helpful for Are you deficient? Amount to take Safety check References What does it do? Lipase is an enzyme that is used by the body to break down dietary fats into an absorbable form. When lipase levels are insufficient to break down dietary fats, greasy, light-colored stools ensue; this condition is called steatorrhea. Where is it found? Most of the body’s lipase is manufactured in the pancreas, although some of it is secreted in the saliva, as well. Pancreatin contains lipase along with two other groups of enzymes: proteases and amylase. Lipase has been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information): Rating Health Concerns Cystic fibrosis Indigestion (for pancreatic insufficiency only) Celiac disease Crohn’s disease Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit. Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit. An herb is primarily supported by traditional use, or the herb or supplement has little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit. Who is likely to be deficient? People with pancreatic insufficiency and cystic fibrosis frequently require supplemental lipase and other enzymes. In addition, those with celiac disease1 or Crohn’s disease2 and perhaps some people suffering from indigestion3 may be deficient in pancreatic enzymes including lipase. How much is usually taken? Products that contain lipase also usually contain other enzymes that help digest carbohydrates and protein. In the U.S., pancreatin, which contains lipase, amylase, and proteases, is rated against a government standard. For example, “9X pancreatin” is nine times stronger than the government standard. Each “X” contains 25 USP units of amylase, 2 USP units of lipase, and 25 USP units of proteolytic enzymes. Taking 1.5 grams of 9X pancreatin (or a higher amount at lower potencies) with each meal can help people with pancreatic insufficiency digest food. Are there any side effects or interactions? Lipase does not generally cause any side effects at the amounts listed above. Most preparations of lipase or other supplemental enzymes should not be taken with betaine HCl, or hydrochloric acid, which could destroy the enzymes. However, enteric-coated enzyme products are protected against destruction by stomach acid. At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with lipase. References: 1. Patel RS, Johlin FC Jr, Murray JA. Celiac disease and recurrent pancreatitis. Gastrointest Endosc 1999;50:823–7. 2. Hegnhoj J, Hansen CP, Rannem T, et al. Pancreatic function in Crohn’s disease. Gut 1990;31:1076–9. 3. Suarez F, Levitt MD, Adshead J, Barkin JS. Pancreatic supplements reduce symptomatic response of healthy subjects to a high fat meal. Dig Dis Sci 1999;44:1317–21. Copyright © 2002 Healthnotes, Inc.  All rights

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