Focus on Nutrition
Eating healthy, nutritious foods is vital to managing exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) in cystic fibrosis (CF).
EPI affects how you absorb nutrients
EPI may develop in several conditions, such as CF, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatectomy, and others. EPI inhibits the digestive enzymes in the pancreas from doing their job of helping digest important nutrients like fat, carbohydrates, and protein.
People with EPI due to CF may need to take prescription pancreatic enzymes to digest food and absorb nutrients. In addition, you may also need to consume more calories per day than people who do not have CF.
Vitamins and supplements
It’s not just extra calories that people with EPI due to CF need, it’s nutrients too. Taking multivitamins or nutritional supplements can help deliver vital nutrients.
Healthy eating for life
Not all calories from food are the same. That’s why it’s important to choose healthy, nutritious foods for meals and snacks.
