Pancreas

The pancreas is a small organ located in the upper abdomen. Its main function is to aid in digestion. It does so by producing insulin to regulate blood sugar, and enzymes that help digest food.National Pancreas Foundation: About the Pancreas

Several factors impact the health of the pancreas, including blood sugar, level of exercise, weight, fat intake, smoking and alcohol consumption.American Diabetes Association: How to Prevent or Delay Diabetes Mayo Clinic: Pancreatitis Prevention

Some common pancreas problems are: acute or chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, diabetes, and pancreatic enzyme insufficiency.Jackson Siegelbaum: Pancreas Disease

These exocrine cells (cells that make products that will exit the body) produce enzymes that aid in digestion, including proteases to break down proteins, lipases to break down fats and amylase to break down carbohydrates.John Hopkins Medicine: Pancreas Overview Colostate.edu: Exocrine

These endocrine cells (cells that secrete products into the bloodstream) produce hormones: insulin, glucagon and somatostatin.John Hopkins Medicine: Pancreas Overview Insulin lowers blood sugar, while glucagon raises blood sugar.Colostate.edu:Glucagon Somatostatin has varying effects on the nervous system, pancreas, digestive system, and pituitary gland.Colostate.edu:Somatostatin

• Pancreas Journal: Article Archives

• Joplink.net: Journal of the Pancreas

• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International: Artificial Pancreas Project

• Amazon.com: Think Like a Pancreas: A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes with Insulin

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