Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a condition which occurs when the acinar cells in the pancreas are damaged or the organ is unable to deliver pancreatic juice in sufficient quantities, and at the right time, into the small intestine. The main enzymes the pancreas produces are grouped as follows:
● Lipase: enzymes that break down fats, such as pancreatic lipase, cholesterol esterase, and phospholipase.
● Protease: enzymes that break down proteins such as elastase, carboxypeptidase, trypsinogen and chymotrypsin.
● Amylase: enzymes that break down carbohydrates.