Pancreatic supplements reduce symptomatic response of healthy subjects to a high fat meal

In a double-blind, crossover study, we determined whether microencapusulated pancreatic enzymes reduce postprandial symptoms experienced by healthy volunteers after ingestion of a high calorie, high fat meal. At 7 AM, 18 subjects ingested 185 g of cookies (1196 calories and 72 g of fat) with three pancrelipase capsules or a placebo. The severity of gastrointestinal symptoms and flatus passages were recorded for 15-17 hr, and end-alveolar samples were obtained hourly for 10 hr. Ingestion of pancreatic supplements was associated with a significant (P = 0.049) reduction in bloating over the entire recording period, and with significant reductions in bloating, gas, and fullness during the dinner to bedtime period. Pancreatic supplements had no significant effect on breath H₂ or CH₄ concentration. The finding that pancreatic supplements reduce postprandial symptoms in healthy subjects suggests that these supplements also might be beneficial in irritable bowel syndrome.