It’s safe to say there are a lot of people dealing with what are commonly called “stomach problems”—bloating, belching, burping, indigestion, and sometimes even the ability to perform a full symphony with one’s flatulence.
In fact, an astonishing 70 million Americans suffer from occasional or chronic digestive issues.
Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical industry quietly celebrates as profits roll in from laxatives, stool softeners, acid reducers, antacids, and gas remedies.
But have you ever stopped to ask an important question?
Why is this happening in the first place?
None of us were born destined for digestive misery. Our gastrointestinal tract was perfectly designed to break down food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate what’s left.
So what’s going wrong?
Let’s explore a few possibilities.
Is Your Stomach Really the Problem?
When people experience indigestion, they often say their “stomach is messed up.”
But that’s not always true.
Your stomach’s main job is to begin breaking down protein foods and continue digesting starches that started breaking down in your mouth through saliva.
If the stomach struggles to do this job, digestive issues can certainly follow. Several things can interfere with stomach function, including:
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Certain medications
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Ulcers
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Gastritis
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Low stomach acid production
But there’s another digestive organ that may actually be responsible—and often more frequently than the stomach.
That organ is your pancreas.
Meet Your Pancreas
Your pancreas performs far more digestive work than your stomach ever could.
Once your stomach finishes its initial processing, it sends partially digested food—called chyme (pronounced kime)—into the small intestine.
This is where the pancreas steps in.
First, the pancreas releases a bicarbonate-rich substance (similar to baking soda) that neutralizes the stomach acid in the chyme and prepares it for the alkaline environment of the small intestine.
Next, it secretes up to nine different digestive enzymes that break down the various foods you've eaten:
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Proteins
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Sugars
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Starches
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Fats
Your pancreas is remarkably intelligent. It can adjust enzyme output depending on what you ate—almost like a master chef carefully preparing the perfect recipe.
At this stage, the gallbladder also joins the process by releasing concentrated bile from the liver to help digest fats.
When Enzyme Production Slows Down
Here’s the challenge.
Your body may have a limited lifetime capacity to produce pancreatic enzymes.
When production slows down—a condition called pancreatic insufficiency (or Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, EPI)—digestion becomes less efficient.
And that can lead to serious consequences.
Without enough enzymes to fully break down food, the body may experience:
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Poor nutrient absorption
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Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
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Waste and toxin buildup
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Gut microbiome imbalance
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Constipation
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Diverticulosis
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Inflammation
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Increased colon cancer risk
Pancreatic insufficiency is more common among:
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Older adults
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Individuals with celiac disease
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Autoimmune conditions
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Parasites or harmful bacterial overgrowth
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Cirrhosis
But there is another major factor.
Your diet.
Your Diet Matters More Than You Think
When your meals are loaded with processed foods and industrial seed oils (such as soybean, corn, sunflower, safflower, and canola oil), your pancreas must work overtime to break them down.
That means burning through large amounts of precious digestive enzymes.
Fresh fruits and vegetables, however, tell a very different story.
Many whole foods contain natural digestive enzymes built right in.
For example:
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Pineapple contains bromelain
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Papaya contains papain
When your food contributes enzymes to the digestive process, your pancreas doesn’t have to supply as many—allowing it to conserve its resources.
So it turns out your mom’s advice to “eat your vegetables” had a lot more wisdom behind it than you may have realized.
Signs Your Pancreas May Be Struggling
If your pancreas isn’t producing enough enzymes, your body often gives you warning signs.
Early Red Flags
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Greasy or oily stools
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Pale stools
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Floating stools
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Bloating after meals
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Fatigue after eating
Pain Patterns
Abdominal pain—especially in the upper middle abdomen that radiates to the back—can be a symptom of pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas.
Unintentional Weight Loss
Rapid weight loss may indicate your body isn’t absorbing nutrients properly.
This can eventually lead to fatigue and blood sugar imbalances.
Diabetes Diagnosis
The pancreas also regulates blood sugar through insulin and glucagon.
If it becomes stressed and struggles to release these hormones properly, blood sugar levels may rise—leading to diabetes.
Difficulty Digesting Fat
People with pancreatic dysfunction often feel nauseous after eating high-fat foods, such as:
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Burgers
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Pizza
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Fries
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Even healthy fats like avocado
Other Possible Clues
Additional signs may include:
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Undigested food in stool
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Dry or flaky skin
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Brittle hair
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Acne or skin rashes
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Easy bruising or bleeding
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Food sensitivities or allergies
The more of these symptoms you experience, the more likely it is that your pancreas may need support.
How to Protect Your Precious Pancreas
Fortunately, supporting healthy digestion can be surprisingly simple.
Step 1: Make Your Stomach’s Job Easier
When your stomach efficiently handles the first stage of digestion, your pancreas doesn’t have to work as hard.
Unfortunately, typical modern meals are very demanding on the stomach.
One helpful strategy many people find effective is avoiding heavy combinations of proteins and starches in the same meal.
For example:
Protein foods include:
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Meat
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Fish
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Poultry
Starches include:
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Bread
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Potatoes
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Rice
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Pasta
Combining these two concentrated foods can make digestion more difficult.
Instead, try pairing proteins OR starches with plenty of vegetables and a tossed salad for extra enzyme support.
Your stomach—and your entire digestive system—will thank you.
Need more in-depth guidance on this? Great Taste No Pain is the perfect resource.
Step 2: Support Your Body’s Enzyme Supply
If you suspect your enzyme production may already be declining, or if you simply want to support digestion and conserve your body’s natural enzyme reserves, a high-quality enzyme supplement can help.
Digestizol Max provides a powerful blend of 15 plant-based enzymes designed to help break down nearly any food you eat.
It also contains soothing herbs such as:
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Peppermint
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Ginger
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Fennel
These herbs can help calm digestive inflammation and support a more comfortable digestive experience.
With the right support, you can move toward smoother digestion, fewer digestive symptoms, and a much happier pancreas.
To your health,
Sherry Brescia
