Grapefruit juice may be a friend you need to become close with because ...
Going back over my personal experience with Pancreatitis I have remembered something that may be important, which is I drank a LOT of grapefruit juice (research now shows it may be significant).
I honestly can not say I drank grapefruit juice because I knew it would help. In fact, just the opposite.
I drank grapefruit juice because I could no longer drink alcohol socially and I liked unsweetened grapefruit juice.
I first started drinking grapefruit juice when I became involved with the vacation timeshare industry.
Those folks were party animals.
We'd work all day and party all night but since I could not drink alcohol I drank grapefruit juice - a lot of it.
I never noticed that the drinking of the grapefruit juice had any significance because I was on meds prescribed by Dr. Langdon and had cut all fat from my diet. What I do remember is that my Acute Pancreatits attacks ceased. But ...
I thought it was simply diet and meds (prescription robinul, compazine and Ibuprofen) but now ...
I am not so sure.
It may have had a lot to do with the amount of grapefruit juice I was consuming daily, my LOW fat diet and Ibuprofen.
All I know is that I was free of Acute Pancreatitis episodes for the whole 7 years I was in the vacation timeshare industry.
I wasn't totally well (my abdomen was still tender, I'd get nausea from time to time) but no acute panc episodes.
I had not yet found grapseseed extract or curcumin and ...
My abdomen did not heal (the tenderness leave) until I found grapeseed extract and curcumin.
It took quite sometime for my abdomen to heal after I started with grapeseed and curcumin, but one day, I realized, the tenderness was gone and has only been back ONE time and that was during and after the Acute Pancreatitis epsidoes I had when I ate the dang turkey sausage about 5 years ago. That episode lasted for about 3 weeks and I don't remember how long the tenderness and lump lasted. Yeah, I had that dang lump again after those Acute attacks but it again went away and ...
I can not tell you what that lump was because I have never gone back into emergency ever since Dr. Langdon diagnosed me and gave me the Ibuprofen to relieve the pain.
I mean what was the use?
I'd been into the ER seven (7) times before and none of those people even had a damn clue!
How were they gonna help me? And ...
What I just said does NOT mean YOU should avoid the ER! Just because I have some issues doesn't mean you won't get help and YOU need to get help when you are sick with this crap.
Anyway, you might say I stumbled onto to grapefruit juice by accident because I had no idea at that time it may be beneficial but now there is research that indicates it may have been a huge contributor to my recovery.
More research on grapefruit seed extract
You can buy grapefruit seed extract if you hate grapefruit juice but if it were me I'd try grapefruit juice first, for like 90 days, use it 2, 3, even 4 times a day (for taking your grapeseed, vit C and curcumin) and just see if you notice improvement. In combination with the grape seed, vit C and curcumin it may be the extra kick some of you who are sick need to overcome this thing and start healing.
One word of caution:
Grapefruit juice, grapefruit seed extract or simply eating grapefruit is potentially hazardous when taking certain prescription drugs such a those used to lower cholesterol.
If you are on prescription meds and wish to begin drinking grapefruit juice, call your phamacist first and go through your meds with him or her and check for any possible interactions with grapefruit juice before you start drinking it.
Leave a comment and show me you are alive!
Wow! To the regimen of ibuprofen my doctor said to take, I added the curcumin, Vitamin C, grape seed extract, and started drinking a lot of grapefruit juice. Less than 24 hours later, swelling significantly diminished, soreness significantly relieved, and I feel better than I have in a long time.
ReplyDeleteThanks Health-guy
Cool! Glad it works for you too! And you are most welcome :-)
ReplyDeleteTWO days later and the improvement continues: went to sleep without discomfort on my side for the first time I can remember. Mine was a minor flare-up; but when I put the pieces together, my pancreas had been cooking for some time. After examining the blood work and other tests the doctor said the most likely culprit was -- ta-da: too much restaurant food. No matter: pancreatitis is pancreatitis and I am taking the episode as the wake-up call. If you are reading this post keep reading this site: Health Guy is right: pancreatitis is pancreatis, it doesn't matter how you got it, what matters is that you have it and now the choice is yours to isolate the causes and arrest the disease process or roll the dice again.
ReplyDeleteOnly thing: you can overdo the remedies as well. I've decided to keep a log not only of food but of supplements as well and to record whatever happens. Diarrhea from too many supplements on a body not used to taking them is definitely no fun....
Thanks again, Health Guy. We hope you live another twenty or thirty years, too,.
Thank you for the well wishes and I am really glad to hear your pancreatitis is beginning to resolve. I hope you continue to improve.
ReplyDeleteAbout the diarrhea - It is true that the supplements may be causing that and I may have forgotten to mention that possibility - If I did NOT mention it I apologize. Large doses of vitamin C can cause diarrhea but it subsides with continued usage in most people. The same goes for the other two supplements as well. In fact ...
Since grape seed extract is such a powerful antioxidant many people who start using it (especially in the dosage amounts needed to help with pancreatitis) they experience symptoms of "cleansing" which can be quite unpleasant for those who have a toxic system.
IF you or anyone else finds this to be the case (I was lucky and had no problems so I sometimes forget others may experience unpleasantness) simply drop the dosages until the symptoms disappear and then gradually increase until you are able to comfortably handle 300 - 800mgs of grape seed extract per day or wherever you need to be to experience relief from your AP/CP symptoms. The same holds true for curcumin because it is also a very potent antioxidant along with being an anti-inflammatory (grape seed extract is also anti-inflammatory).
Once the body adjusts to the amount of grape seed, curcumin and vit C your "cleansing" symptoms should subside. In fact ...
It may be prudent for everyone to start off with smaller amounts of all 3 supplements to avoid bombarding the liver and kidneys with the toxins that are produced by the cleansing effect and then gradually increase the amounts until relief from pancreatitis symptoms are achieved.
I see this is a couple years old, but wanted to mention that Grapefruit seed extract and grape seed extract are VERY different. Both have their benefits and a lot of the same properties, but I believe GSE, grapefruit seed extract, is what this post is referring to. Hope it's still helping everyone too!
ReplyDeleteActually the post was referring to grapefruit juice and that is why the title is: Grapfruit Juice: Learn to LOVE Grapefruit Juice! Anyway ...
DeleteYou are correct grapefruit seed extract and grape seed extract are two different products. Thanks for mentioning that and for visiting.
The poster above thinks you're referring to grapefruit seed extract. I read that grapes red extract and curcumin are good for pancraetitis. Did you mean grapeseed extract or grapefruit seed extract?
DeleteGrape seed extract and curcumin are EXCELLENT for eliminating the inflammation of pancreatitis. Grapefruit seems to actually protect the pancreas. The three (grape seed extract, grafruit seed extract, curcumin) in combination is absolutely the best. The only other things to ad would be diet (low fat, no trigger foods) and Ibuprofen.
DeleteI just want to THANK YOU!! This is really helpful. I've been searching the net over and over and this is the only place I could find useful information.
ReplyDeleteI've had pancreatitis for 4 years, without pain, probably caused by a small pancreas cyste (9 mm). Do you or anyone else have any information/experience when it comes to cysts.? When I get sick from pancreatitis my liver also gets infected, and than I end up extremly fatigue, lasting for months.
Blessings from Norway.
You are welcome :-)
DeletePsuedocysts are fairly common and are usually a complication of necrosis. They can cause more problems especially if they become infected. You should keep a very watchful eye on your condition and seek medical attention asap if you run a fever (sign of infection).
I took the Grape Seed Extract for the first time and had a burning/tightness sensation in my pancreas area. Is that normal? Also I don't know if it makes a difference but I took it 20 minutes after I took the Digestive Enzymes.
ReplyDeleteMarytha I sometimes get a warm feeling from grape seed extract. That happened particularily when I was not well. It was more like a warmth rather than a burning or tighness. Now ...
ReplyDeleteI have had BURNING when I've taken to many enzymes. To many is not a good thing. That is why I always suggest ONE at first and always just minutes before eating or at the first of a meal. NEVER take them without consuming food.
I would suspect the enzymes first, in regards to a burning symptom, but who knows?
What brand of grapefruit juice do you find tastes the best?
ReplyDeleteI personally prefer Ocean Spray white grapefruit juice.
Deletewhat is the brand of digestive enzyme supplement that you are using?
ReplyDeleteI use Now Foods Super Enzymes
Deletei got 2 episodes ofAP attack. now im suffrng frm exocrine pancreatic insufficiency . will it b be cured? willl it b reversible? im taking 30,000mg creon per meal.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could tell you it can be cured but EPI usually stems from damage that ends up becoming CP. There are other conditions that cause EPI as well. But if your doc has you on creon there is obviously a need.
DeleteGrapefruit Juice had also worked as a miracle for me. I'm off the alcohol and feeling healthier than I've been in years.
ReplyDeleteGreat news! I am glad to hear you are doing much better!
DeleteWill the red grapefruit work also.having trouble finding the white one.and bless us all who are battling this mean organ inside us.
ReplyDeleteHi Hector - I don't know I have never used anything but white grapefruit juice.
DeleteHello The Health Guy,
ReplyDeleteI'm to I'll at the moment to tell all of my story, but I started your supplements you recommended! I have been taking Now 250mg grape seed ,with amia fruit 60mg , and Rutin powder bud 50 mg this is all one product, it seems to cause burning at times, should I just be using grape seed alone? Also have been taking curcumin 600mg with ginger 140mg with bioprine 10mg ! Went to the ER two days ago ! Not eating much just liquid in two weeks I have lost 15 pounds! Pls help thank you and Blessings!
Sorry to hear you are ill. What did the ER say? How much of each supplement are you taking daily? When did you start them? Liquids for 2 weeks - what kinds of liquids?
DeleteHello the Health Guy,
DeleteThe ER said blood work was good! They looked for elevated
Amylase,whtch is only seen in AP correct? I was trouble free for two years! ERIC doc, agreed that CP doesn't show elevation in general! Lots of water, and broth, and vegetable juices, which do cause some pain!I have tried beens out of starvation, with lots more pain! I know maybe not the best at this stage! I'm taking 250mg×2-3 times, and circumnavigation 1650mg 1x per day! Was unable to locate unsweetened white grapefruit juice at three stores, and they had no fresh grapefruit either.i assume it's out of season, I will try wholes foods, or TRADER JOES!
THANK YOU,
FOR YOUR HELP BLESSING TO YOU!
Amylase and lipase generally elevate about 4 hours after the beginning of an AP attack. Lipase is the more specific of the two for diagnosing AP. And often CP doesn't show elevations.
DeleteVegetables and legumes (beans, peas, lentils) shouldn't cause pain. Again if you are eating or drinking something that contains fat I'd suspect those foods not zero fat foods (veggies and legumes). Again, foods do NOT always cause pain immediately. BUT ... You may need an enzyme supplement. Has your doc mentioned Creon?
Hello, I was on croon yrs ago, didn't seem to make much difference, but I do have an appointment with a Gastrointestinal doc! I will ask during visit! I just started taking Now super enzymes you take and recommend,years ago I adopted a plant based Raw diet with fish three times a week, after loosing my Gallbladder, and have been eating this was for years, as raw food has a lot of enzymes ready to aid in digestion! I did feel I needed supplementary added enzymes with each meal? I'm willing to take them if I can feel better?
DeleteThank you for your response
Blessings
Let me know if they help. If Creon didn't help the Now Foods enzymes may not either. Are you using grape seed extract, curcumin and vitamin C? Those actually address and reduce inflammation. Ibuprofen may be something to try as well because it also reduces inflammation.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI'm taking 250mg of grape seed 2-3 times per day! Curcumin 1-2 times per day! Diet is as follows fresh
Mostly organic vegetables recommended by you, I took many vegetables out after a couple juicing as it made things worse, so yesterday August 18, 2017 I had beets, and carrots only! That Was a little better�� on a whim I tried almond milk,unsweetened and to my surprise it was OK had four glasses through the day, and for dinner I had two small bowels of vegetable broth "Organic" no fat gluten free, and no yest ! Yest is not my friend! For a later conversation. The ER doc said my blood work was perfect, but I explained I was symptom free for 2 years, but had a long history of pancreatitis, and to my understanding is that when one has CP Amylase levels do not always spike when a acute attack happens ,if you have long standing damage! She agreed! Should I reorder the supplements you recommend, or are the multi products OK? I'm going into a gastrointestinal Doc appointment soon! Started taking supplements 2 weeks ago! Lots water 1gallon + per day, trying to find white grapefruit unsweetened, if not I will just juice them! Some vitamin water! Broths!
Thanks you for your time
Blessing's your way
The Heath Guy
Hi ...
DeleteSometimes the best thing to do is fast in order to allow the pancreas time to rest and heal. Then after 3 - 4 days of fasting try juice for a few days and see how it goes. Unless the broth is strictly veggie broth it may not be a good thing. Plus it takes time to heal and get rid of all the inflammation. Two weeks may not be enough time and if you have CP the diet and supplements will be a lifetime deal.
I'd be very skeptical of the almond milk. If you were drinking almond milk while juicing or eating vegetables I'd bet it was the almond milk that is causing the pain. And the pain does NOT always come on the day of eating/drinking. Mine was often 24 hours later after eating an offending food. But one can ONLY tell this by doing a proper food diary with prep first.
Thank you, I will consider all information! I was doing a little better, and had another
ReplyDeleteFlare up, so back to eating very light, and making a food list! Still taking supplements, will be drinking more grapefruit juice!
Thank you for your time!
Blessings to you The Health Guy
Hello The Health Guy,
ReplyDeleteCan you explain why when eating little amounts of food and or fasting for many hours without food the pain increases? Also after eating at times the pain will appear to lessen, then in crease once again! My hypothesis is that it's mostly constant inflammation at some degree, thus when not eating the pancrease activates to to increase glyclogen or sugar to maintain a healthy glucose levels in the body,but if the inflammation is blocking ducts,making the pancrease internally andctivated? Pain will be presented??
Thank You
Blessings to you
The Health Guy
I have to admit I don't know because USUALLY fasting helps to relieve pain and symptoms. Are you taking medication that could be a source of inflammation (e.g. diabetes drugs, hypertension drugs, etc - there are many)? But I have to agree with your hypothesis there is obviously inflammation that is not resolving.
DeleteHello,
DeleteTo answer your question, I take no medications! I also have a lot of pressure and pain in the spleen area, today
I have a yellow tinged complexion,I know this is not a good sign.I'm a little concerned!
Blessings to you!
The yellow tinge could be jaundice. you should seek medical advice.
DeleteDefinitely going to try this! Will fresh red grapefruit work just as well? Also, I have had two attacks. One caused me to be in the hospital for two days and the other I was sent home within 3-4 hours. So I guess my question is will I have to be as strict about my diet once my pancreas heals? I would still stay away from fried and processed foods but I ha e no idea how restricted I will end up being. And I was told I should have my gallbladder out as well so hopefully that solves the problem
ReplyDeleteHi Chelsey Swift - I apologize for the extremely late response. This was my first blog and I no longer visit it unless I get notification of a comment needing moderation and blogger isn't real good at telling me about comments so ....
DeleteHopefully by now you have healed and have no problems. IF that is not the case and you'd still like direction please visit my site at: https://beatingpancreatitis.com/
Hi I was wondering if anyone has had calcium deposits found in their pancreas and can they be desolved?
ReplyDeleteEd
Hi Edwin. Sorry to hear you have calcium deposits in your pancreas. Yes, they are a complication of pancreatitis and a confirmation of CP (Chronic Pancreatitis). At this time the only way to rid the pancreas of stones is surgery if appropriate. EDTA has been used to clean arteries of calcium deposits aka plaque. IF it clears calcium from arteries it may clear it from the pancreas. It's only a thought/theory. I have no clue if it would work. IF I had calcium deposits I'd try EDTA infusions by a chelation doctor before I let someone with a knife 🔪 get close to my pancreas. Infusions are about $120 per. It usually takes 20-30 to do a good job of clearing clogged arteries. EDTA in suppositories and pills is much cheaper. Either avenue may take persistent effort to dissolve stones. IF it even works.
Delete