Evidence supporting the use of: Pancreatin
For the health condition: Belching

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Pancreatin is a mixture of digestive enzymes (amylase, lipase, and protease) extracted from the pancreas of pigs or cows. It is commonly used as enzyme replacement therapy in people with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI), such as those with chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, or after pancreatic surgery. The rationale for its use in belching (eructation) centers on the hypothesis that poor digestion of food—particularly fats and proteins—can result in delayed gastric emptying and increased gas production, which may contribute to symptoms like bloating and belching.

There is some scientific basis for using pancreatin in patients with documented enzyme insufficiency who experience belching as part of a broader spectrum of dyspeptic symptoms. A few small clinical studies and case reports have documented improvements in symptoms such as bloating, flatulence, and belching in individuals with maldigestion who were treated with pancreatic enzyme supplements. However, for the general population or for functional belching (not related to pancreatic disease), the evidence is weak and larger placebo-controlled studies are lacking.

Most clinical guidelines do not recommend pancreatin for routine use in treating belching unless there is evidence of pancreatic insufficiency. Therefore, while there is a physiological rationale and limited scientific support in select populations, the overall evidence supporting pancreatin for general belching is modest (rated 2/5).

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