About EPI
Stay on top of your health

About EPI
Stay on top of your health
When you have EPI, your body cannot properly absorb nutrients from fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.1-5 Ensuring you’re getting the nutritional support you need is key to maintaining your health with chronic pancreatitis (CP). Your healthcare provider may recommend that you take supplements to support your specific needs in addition to PERT.1,6,7
EPI CHALLENGES
Supplements selected to meet your unique needs may help address these nutritional challenges.1
You may be at risk for fat-soluble vitamin (A, D, E & K) deficiencies with CP even if your pancreas is still producing enzymes.* You will probably need to have your vitamin levels checked on a regular basis, and you may benefit from a supplement to support your body’s daily needs.‡6,8,9
*Fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies occur in the following amounts in people with CP: vitamin A in 3–14.5%, vitamin D in 58–77.9%, vitamin E in 9–24%, and vitamin K in 13–63%.1
Approximately 2 out of 3 people with CP have osteopenia or osteoporosis (weak bones)1,6,8. If you have CP, you may need to take a calcium supplement if you don’t get enough calcium in your diet.‡1,6,15
If you have CP, you might also have low essential fatty acids since they may not be easily digested and absorbed from dietary fats. 31% of people with chronic gut diseases have low levels of EFAs, and the changes to their EFA profiles are similar to the changes seen in people with CP. Omega-3 supplements may provide some benefit for people with EPI.‡4,16
Due to the nutritional risks associated with EPI, guidelines recommend yearly screening for deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins as well as low levels of EFAs and micronutrients.1,4,16

EPI challenges and
Pure Encapsulations® supplements
Keep it up!
If you are already taking supplements, that’s great! If you start to notice improvements, you may still benefit from taking supplements.6,17,18 Make sure to talk to your healthcare provider about any changes to the medications and supplements you take.


Educational resources
Curious to learn more about EPI? Check out a list of helpful resources below.