Case study: Fatty liver and pancreatitis combined
Brian was a 43 year old man who came to see me for help with his liver and pancreas. A month before seeing me he had been diagnosed with acute pancreatitis.
One evening after dinner he experienced excruciating pain, nausea and sweating. He was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with pancreatitis. At the same time, Brian discovered he also has a fatty liver and sludge in his gallbladder.
He came to see me because he wanted to overcome the fatty liver, but he was even more concerned about his pancreas. I don’t blame him; acute pancreatitis is a very serious condition and can be fatal.
Brian was ready to make several changes to his diet. He had felt unwell for many years and he’d had enough. Brian suffered with terrible digestive problems; he was on two different acid blocking drugs to control the dreadful heartburn he experienced. These drugs did not completely resolve his symptoms. He also felt terribly bloated and nauseous for most of the day.
Brian had read my book Fatty Liver: You Can Reverse It before coming to see me, so he had already reduced the amount of grains and sugar he was eating. However, he wanted to know which specific foods he should eat to help his pancreas.
Brian was only around 20 pounds overweight but the weight was held across his upper abdomen, which is the most dangerous area to carry excess fat. I refer to this as a “liver roll”. The sonogram report described his liver condition as “early fatty infiltration of the liver”. This was a good sign and meant it probably won’t take many months to reverse the fatty liver.
I was not surprised to discover there is sludge in Brian’s gallbladder. This means the bile in his gallbladder has become excessively thick and concentrated and is a precursor to gallstones. Many people with a fatty liver go on to develop gallbladder disease.
Brian loves beer and the doctor at the hospital thought his acute episode of pancreatitis was probably due to excessive alcohol intake, combined with chronic inflammation of his liver. The pancreas lies very close to many other abdominal organs and pancreatitis can be triggered by inflammation in nearly any nearby organ. Brian also loved all sorts of high carbohydrate foods – bread, pizza and mashed potatoes were his favorites, but he realized they would have to go if he wanted to get well.
The carbohydrate rich foods were a problem because they were rapidly digested into sugar, which his liver promptly converted into fat; creating fatty liver disease. The second problem with them is the gluten content. Removing gluten from the diet is a very reliable way to significantly reduce or completely eliminate digestive problems such as bloating, reflux and indigestion. Brian also suffered with joint pain, particularly in his knees, which is another typical symptom of gluten intolerance.
My recommendations for Brian
- I asked Brian to follow the eating plan in my book Fatty Liver: You Can Reverse It. This meant he needed to avoid grains, sugar and starches. Instead he would have to base his diet on vegetables, protein and good fats. Suitable types of protein include poultry, seafood, eggs and meat (preferably pastured). Suitable good fats include extra virgin olive oil, macadamia nut oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, pastured butter or ghee and animal fats such as lard.
- Brian had stopped drinking beer completely for a month after the episode of acute pancreatitis because he was terrified of experiencing a recurrence. He asked me if he was able to reintroduce some beer into his diet. Most beer is very much like soda and really doesn’t do your body any favors. He would get faster results from my treatment plan if he avoided all beer, but some people feel they cannot avoid all alcohol, so I left the decision up to him.
- I asked Brian to take my liver tonic Livatone Plus. This is a powerful formula that helps to reduce inflammation in the liver and can even help to repair damaged liver cells. This formula would also help to make his bile more fluid, thereby reducing the sludge in his gallbladder.
- I asked Brian to include apple cider vinegar in his diet. The natural acids in the vinegar would help to thin the bile in his gallbladder, thus helping to prevent stones. Apple cider vinegar also improves nutrient absorption and reduces bloating after meals. I asked him to dissolve one tablespoon of vinegar in ¼ cup of warm water and drink it 5 minutes before lunch and dinner.
- I gave Brian an MSM (methyl sulfonyl methane) supplement to support detoxification in his liver and reduce the joint pain he experienced in his knees. I asked him to take ½ teaspoon twice daily with meals.
- We needed to clean up the toxins in Brian’s bowel. He had an overgrowth of bad microorganisms in his intestines, which were making him bloated and uncomfortable after eating, and aggravating the reflux. I gave him Intestinal Parasite Cleanse capsules.
- Brian also needed glutamine to soothe and heal the inflamed tissue of his esophagus and entire digestive tract, from years of suffering with reflux. Glutamine provides nourishment to the cells lining our entire digestive tract and helps to repair inflammatory damage. You can find Glutamine in my Ultimate Gut Health powder.
I have been seeing Brian every 4 weeks for the past 3 months and he has made remarkable progress. The health scare he received really motivated him to make significant changes to his diet and lifestyle. He has lost 14 pounds, sleeps much better and has so much more energy each day. This has inspired him to take up bike riding on weekends. Brian has 3 very young children and he is determined to set a good example for them, and more importantly he wants to be around to see them grow up.
The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
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Please check out Dr Cabot’s recent videos on the liver/fatty liver here:https://www.liverdoctor.com/category/videos/
Fatty Liver usually occurs when the diet is too high in starchy high carbohydrate foods and/or processed foods.
You may benefit from trying Dr Cabot’s 15 day cleanse – Two weeks to begin your journey toward improved overall health and function, utilising both supplements and a tasty, easy to prepare dietary regimen. Please go tohttp://www.drcabotcleanse.com to place an order.
After completing the Cleanse, we recommend you remain on this style of eating and you can then begin the Maintenance plan that is available at the same website.
To boost liver health and your vitality, Dr Cabot prescribes:
Livatone Plus – 1 cap twice daily for 2 weeks and then increase to 2 capsules twice daily, to improve liver function.https://www.liverdoctor.com/livatone-plus.htmlhttps://shop.cabothealth.com.au/livatone-plus-240-caps
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC 600mg) – 1 cap twice daily for 2 weeks and then increase to 2 capsules twice daily well away from food, if any upset occurs take at the beginning of your meals. NAC should be taken with a whole glass of water away from food. Do not take just before retiring to bed. NAC can be strong on the stomach, and this is why you need to take it with a whole glass of water.
This supplement works well with Livatone Plus to get your liver better faster. This supplement is the precursor nutrient of glutathione; the body’s strongest anti-oxidant and potent detoxifier.https://www.liverdoctor.com/nac-n-acetyl-l-cysteine-600mg-90-capsules.html.
Kind regards,
Jessah Shaw
Nutritionist
When alcohol intake is not excessive the main cause of Fatty Liver is a diet high in carbohydrates and often also highly processed foods.
Fatty Pancreas requires utmost attention because the fatty infiltrations can lead to tissue death and pancreatitis.
The advice about Milk Thistle being negatively associated with fibroids is quite controversial, and is opposite to the advice we would give.
Dietary changes are important and Dr Cabot’s 15 Day Cleanse and Maintenance Program provide a wholesome liver friendly, anti-inflammatory plan.
Supplementation is also important and Dr Cabot prescribes Ox Bile, Livatone Plus, and NAC.
Kind regards
Victoria
Naturopath for Dr Sandra Cabot MD
To reduce symptoms, especially if it is pancreatitis, is to reduce sugars and starches to as close to zero as is possible.
We recommend an anti-inflammatory diet with no grains, dairy, legumes or processed foods.
We are delighted to let you know that Dr Cabot’s highly acclaimed 15 Day Cleanse is available and provides you with two weeks to begin your journey toward improved overall health and function, utilising both supplements and a tasty, easy to prepare dietary regimen. This is an anti-inflammatory program and the supplements are immune boosting, body alkalinising and gut healing.https://www.liverdoctor.com/15-day-cleanse.html
After completing the Cleanse, we recommend you remain on this style of eating and you can then begin the Maintenance plan.https://www.liverdoctor.com/dr-cabot-ultimate-maintenance-plan.html
We are not sure if you are not speaking specifically of stomach or abdominal pain, and in light of your age Dr Cabot prescribes
Digestive Enzymes (Super) – 1 capsule at the beginning of each meal.https://www.liverdoctor.com/products/supplements/bowel-health/digestive-enzymes-super-100-capsules.html
MSM + Vitamin C – ½ to 1 teaspoon twice daily in vegetable juice or water to reduce oxidation, inflammation and boost liver health.https://www.liverdoctor.com/msm-plus-vitamin-c-powder-100-grams.html
Ultimate Gut Health – Dr Cabot Ultimate Gut Health keeps your intestines as healthy as possible. Designed to soothe, heal and restore the gut lining, you will find your intestines love this powder. Dr Cabot Ultimate Gut Health supports better digestion and favourable and healthy gut bacteria. Helpful for acidity, reflux, bloating, sensitive gut, sluggish bowels and leaky gut.
https://www.liverdoctor.com/ultimate-gut-health-250g.html
Please be very careful with Norco, it is potentially very addictive.
Kind regards
Victoria Taylor
No one can tell me what caused it so I'm not sure how to avoid getting it again. I don't drink any alcohol at all. I have been on to keto diet for two years but the majority of the fats I consume are from ghee,.MCT oil and plant base/nuts .....any suggestions as to what my next steps should be to ensure this doesn't become an ongoing problem.
Thank you for your enquiry.
There are many causes of acute pancreatitis, so it is not surprising that no one can tell you exactly what caused it, but it is most unlikely to occur in a healthy digestive system.
There are things you can do to reduce the chances of this concerning condition returning.
To improve the health of the digestive system Dr Cabot recommends an anti-inflammatory diet, and we are delighted to let you know that Dr Cabot has recently released her 15 Day Cleanse - Two weeks to begin your journey toward improved overall health and function, utilising both supplements and a tasty, easy to prepare dietary regimen. This is an anti-inflammatory program and the supplements are immune boosting, body alkalinising and gut healing.
After completing the Cleanse, we recommend you remain on this style of eating and you can then begin the Maintenance plan.
We are supposing that the hospital did testing to be able to diagnose acute pancreatitis, so we wonder if you were told if you had any other pancreas or liver concern.
To boost liver and pancreatic health and your vitality, Dr Cabot prescribes
Livatone Plus – 1 to 2 capsules twice daily, to improve liver function.
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC 600mg) – 1 to 2 capsules twice daily well away from food, if any upset occurs take at the beginning of your meals. This supplement works well with Livatone Plus to get your liver better faster. This supplement is the precursor nutrient of glutathione; the body’s strongest anti-oxidant and potent detoxifier.
MSM + Vitamin C – ½ to 1 teaspoon twice daily in vegetable juice or water to reduce oxidation, inflammation and boost liver health.
Super Digestive Enzymes – 1 capsule at the beginning of each meal.
You may purchase these supplements and Dr Cabot’s books athttps://shop.liverdoctor.com/
Victoria Taylor
Naturopath
Last week I had a ct scan because I appeared to have ascites, gained 30 pounds and my fatty stools were back with abdominal pain. I found out this week my pancreas no longer functions and is shriveled up! I also have a very swollen abdomen because my fatty liver is "one step away from cirrhosis " my doctor said. He thought I had pancreatic cancer but the ct didn't show cancer. He told me to take enzymes, cut my antidepressants and sent me on my way. He will give me blood tests in 3 months! To complicate things further, I have old hepetitis from donating plasma at 18- 32 years ago that caused my enzyme levels to be high. They are not that high yet and I never had jaundice since the initial hepetitis which I never went to the doctor for and got over it finally.
I plan on ordering your book because I need help! I know I have to lose weight I am about 20 pounds overweight. I need supplements to cleanse me. Is there anything you can do about the non functioning pancreas? What if it rots? The doctor said I will be a diabetic at any time now. Can that be stopped?
Thank you for any advice you can give me.
This is the book that would help you:http://shop.liverdoctor.com/healing-autoimmune-disease.html
No it isn’t possible to restore your pancreas, but you could prevent your liver from getting worse. Diet changes are most important – avoiding gluten, dairy products and sugar.
Livtone Plus and n-acetyl cysteine (NAC) would help your liver.
These are all available at www.liverdoctor.com.
Kind Regards,
Jessah
The Hospital doctor only talked to me for a few minutes and didn't give me a lot of info. Told me to cut out the drinking because my liver was fatty and to change my diet.
I am completely changing my diet and I have stopped drinking. But I would like to start drinking beer at some point. Everywhere on the internet it says to NEVER DRINK ALCOHOL AGAIN. Yet I have found studies that say beer has almost no affect on acute pancreatitis and my episode could have been brought on by the Spicy Salmon, Aleve, Fatty Diet or all of the above including the run.
Can you please help me out with this.
Thank you,
Do you still have your gallbladder?
You need to go on a low sugar, gluten free diet.
You should start raw juicing and get our book 'Fatty Liver: You can reverse it'.
I would also recommend:
Livatone Plus - 2 caps twice daily to boost liver function while protecting from damage.
NAC - 2 caps twice daily away from food.
Glutamine powder - 1 tsp in water twice daily to calm, soothe, and heal your gut lining and protect your digestive system from damage.
As alcohol is a known trigger of pancreatitis, it could cause another flare up. I would recommend you check this with your primary healthcare provider.
Kind Regards,
Jessah