Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a condition that occurs when the pancreas fails to provide the necessary amount of digestive enzymes. Due to a lack of these enzymes, people with EPI cannot properly digest the nutrients in food such as fats, proteins, and carbohydrates (maldigestion).
You might experience symptoms like bloating, gas, pain, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation. Because these symptoms are similar to IBS, your doctor might have a difficult time properly diagnosing your condition.
However, if you are properly diagnosed with EPI, there is a lot you can do to help manage the symptoms.
For instance, you can alter the way you eat and the types of foods you eat, such as eating more frequent meals with less volume. It's important not to over-stuff your system and to balance out protein, fat and carbohydrates.
Joy Bauer, RD, MS, joins host Lisa Davis to share more about EPI, including the guide she created to help people navigate the condition (Living with EPI: A Nutrition Guide).
Joy Bauer is a registered dietitian with more than 25 years of experience. She is a #1 New York Times best-selling author and the health and nutrition expert for NBC’s TODAY show. She hosts the program’s popular “Joy Fit Club” series as well as the new hit segment, "From Junk Food to Joy Food,” which inspired her latest book and PBS special. Joy is a monthly columnist for Woman’s Day magazine, founder of Nourish Snacks, and the official nutritionist for the New York City Ballet.