Do I Need To Take Creon With A Banana? [Exploring Benefits, Risks & All!]

The people who are combating exocrine pancreatic insufficiency often linger with the question, do I need to take Creon with a banana? As for maintaining the condition effectively, navigation of dietary choices and medication considerations is a must. 

Well, you can take Creon with a banana. There are no strict requirements that you need to pair Creon with a banana. However, you need to consult your doctor or pharmacist to ensure the optimal digestive health of the individual. 

In today’s write-up, we will delve into this exploration to get valuable insights so that you can make an informed decision for your dietary choices with Creon. So, let’s get going.

What Is Creon And Why It Is Prescribed?

The Creon or pancrelipase is a prescribed medication for those who need pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. It is used to treat people who are unable to digest food normally as their pancreas does not produce enough enzymes for digestion. 

Generally, digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas are amylase, lipase, and protease where amylase breaks carbohydrates, lipase breaks lipids and protease breaks proteins. Creon is made from the pancreatic amylase, lipase, and protease derived from the porcine or pig. 

Typically, a healthy pancreas secretes digestive enzymes in the small intestine for the digestion of food. These digestive enzymes break down the foods for easy digestion and absorption. In the opposite case, if the pancreas doesn’t produce enough digestive enzymes, the body can’t absorb the food nutrients as they can’t break down into usable forms. 

Creon is prescribed for patients suffering from Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency or EPI. It is a condition where the pancreas does not produce enough enzymes for digestion. 

Typically, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or EPI results from cystic fibrosis, inflammation of the pancreas or chronic pancreatitis, partial or total pancreas removal or Pancreatectomy, and other conditions. 

Signs of EPI or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency include: 

• Diarrhea 
• Constipation 
• Abdominal pain, bloating, or gas
• Unexpected weight loss 
• Fatty stools which are pale, and oily with a foul smell that floats
• In infants and children failure to thrive

Why May Someone Take Creon With A Banana?

As you see, Creon is a medication containing enzymes that aid in the indigestion of food. While the Creon may not be related to the banana in any way and may seem strange to take the medication with the banana, there are some good ways to do so. 

Bananas are a rich source of fiber which may make the fruit hard to digest. If you take the Creon with the banana, one with EPI can ensure that their body will be able to break down and absorb all the nutrients completely and more effectively. 

Moreover, bananas have high levels of potassium which plays an important role in regulating blood pressure and maintaining healthy muscle and nerve functions. In this case, taking Creon with a banana ensures that the body of the person absorbs all these important nutrients efficiently and properly. 

However, there is no strict requirement of the Creon or banana digestion that you must have to pair the banana with Creon.

It is crucial to consult the healthcare provider first for anyone to consider whether they should take the Creon while taking the bananas or not. Depending on the health condition of the individual or the other medication that is being taken, consultants can address the considerations or potential interactions.

What Are The Benefits Of Having Creon With A Banana? 

Although it seems so puzzling whether Creon is with a banana or not, it brings about several benefits for individuals. 

As the Creon is a supplement for pancreatic enzymes, it helps to digest foods properly in people with pancreatic enzyme insufficiency, when you take the Creon with the banana, the medication improves its effectiveness and also provides additional health benefits. 

Moreover, bananas are a rich source of potassium, natural digestive enzymes, fiber, and antioxidants, having the fruit with Creon ensures the proper breakdown of the fruit to get all the nutrient benefits. Apart from aiding digestion, Creon with banana also enhances regular bowel movements and reduces the symptoms of bloating and gas.

Potential Risk Of Taking Creon With Banana

Generally, there is no specific risk associated with the Creon pairing with the banana. Creon is a medication that contains enzymes to aid the digestion of carbohydrates, protein, or fat. But as bananas are a low-fat fruit and easily digestible, they may not pose a potential risk. 

However, how the body of the individual will respond to the banana with Creon may vary. Having the banana with Creon or with some certain food people might experience mild gastrointestinal symptoms who have already experienced digestive issues, for instance, increases gas production and bloating when consumed in large amounts. 

That’s why it is advisable to monitor your body’s reaction to the foods with Creon and consult the healthcare provider or the doctors in case you notice any negative effects. 

You should take the medication always with the recommendation of the healthcare provider and discuss with them the potential interaction concerns for maintaining optimal digestive health.

What Foods To Take Creon With? 

To optimize the effectiveness of Creon in EPI, the process involves pairing it with meals containing carbohydrates, protein, or fat. 

You need to consider incorporating creon with well-balanced nutrient-rich food, for instance, healthy fats, foods rich with vitamin D, fruits and vegetables rich in nutrients, lower fiber food, or lean proteins. 

Here is the EPI food list of foods to eat when taking Creon. 

1# Healthy Fats 

You have to be careful while choosing fat-containing food in your diet when you are on pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy like Creon. You should try to choose the unsaturated fat containing beneficial nutrients. For instance- 

• Fatty fish like mackerel, salmon, sardines, etc.
• Nuts 
• Seeds
• Vegetable oils like avocado oil, canola oil, or olive oil.

2# Foods Rich With Vitamin D

You know vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with pancreatic enzyme insufficiency. Vitamin D is essential for bone health. so the deficiency of vitamin D causes symptoms like weakness, fatigue, or muscle pain. 

As vitamin D is not found naturally in many foods, it is best to consult your healthcare provider for a vitamin D supplement recommendation. 

When you want vitamin D in your diet, here are some examples of the best sources. 

• Salmon
• Swordfish
• Cod liver oil
• Tuna fish
• Almond milk, soy milk, etc are fortified with vitamin D
• Beef liver
• Egg yolks
• Sardines
• Fortified cereals

3# Fruits And Vegetables Rich In Nutrients 

While having Creon you must be careful about the fiber intake in your daily meal and don’t get overboard. Although fruits and vegetables contain fibers, they are a rich source of vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants. 

These are essential for maintaining the optimal digestive health and overall health of an individual. That’s why you should plan your diet strategically and add vegetables and fruits that are rich in nutrients and can maximize your antioxidant intake. 

Below are examples of great sources that you can consider while planning your diet. 

• Berries like blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and so on. 
• Spinach, kale, arugula, or other dark leafy green vegetables 
• Pumpkins, carrots, sweet potatoes, or other orange vegetables. 

4# Lower Fiber Foods 

While you are having pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, your healthcare provider may advise you to take low-fiber food for the sake of your digestive health. 

It may not be essential for everyone to limit fiber with pancreatic enzyme insufficiency as it varies from person to person. 

However, if you need to limit your fiber foods to boost digestion, you can choose the low fiber foods for instance

• Fresh fruit without skin or seeds
• Frozen or canned fruits without skin or seeds 
• Well-cooked vegetables 
• White rice 
• Eggs 
• Meat 
• Foods enriched with white flour instead of  whole wheat flour
• Greek yogurt or other low-fat dairy products that are tolerable 

5# Lean Protein

You can get plenty of protein just by including lean proteins in your diet instead of high-fat meat. for instance-

• Poultry without skin 
• Lean beef 
• Lean cut of pork 
• Eggs 
• Low-fat dairy 
• Tilapia, cod tuna, or any other white meat fish
• Higher-protein grains or seeds
• Beans 
• Lentils 

What Foods Should Be Avoided When Taking Creon?

Well, some certain foods or drinks can interfere with the function of the Creon. That’s why you should avoid the foods while taking this medication. 

Below are highlighted the five most important dietary considerations. To obtain more information you should consult your doctor about which food you should or should not with Creon.

1# High-Fat Foods 

Fat needs a longer time to digest than the other macronutrients, for instance, protein or carbohydrate. 

So, if you are taking pancreatic enzymes or Creon and then eat a high-fat meal, the fatty food may not leave the stomach for digestion and absorption after taking your pancreatic enzymes. 

When the high-fat meal leaves the stomach and reaches the small intestine for digestion, the medication may have already passed through the system and will not be able to break down the fats. 

For example, fatty foods include- 

• Lamb 
• Beef 
• Pork 
• Skin on poultry 
• Cream and lard 
• Butter 
• Cheese 
• Ice cream 
• Coconut and coconut oil 
• Specific baked and fried foods 
• Palm kernel oil and palm oil

2# High Fiber Foods 

Although high-fiber foods are beneficial to health for being included in the diet, they can affect the effectiveness of the Creon. 

According to a study, high-fiber foods reduce the effectiveness of pancreatic enzymes. It’s not like you should totally avoid fibers from your diet. 

You should aim to have fiber in your meal to prevent constipation but you should avoid high-fiber foods while you are having the pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. 

High-fiber foods that you should limit or avoid while taking Creon are included- 

• Whole grain foods for example anything made with whole white flour, barley, brown rice, etc. 
• Wheat bran 
• Vegetables and fruits with skin and seeds 
• Beans and lentils

3# Non Acidic Foods 

Creon medication has a coating that is only stable in acidic areas. As the intestines are naturally less acidic, it dissolved the coating of the Creon allowing it to work. 

That is why if you take the Creon with non acidic food it will make the medication start working in the mouth or stomach instead of your intestine. 

It is not ideal as Creon will start working in the intestine. The labeling of the Creon states that you should not take food with Creon medication that has a pH higher than 4.5 means that is not acidic enough. 

Non acidic foods include- 

• Milk including the breast milk 
• Cheese 
• Baby formula 
• Watermelon or 
• Cantaloupe 

4# Hot Drinks 

Acidity is not the only factor that should be kept in mind while taking the Creon, it is also about maintaining the correct temperature for its effectiveness.

 If you take Creon in a very hot environment, it will damage the Creon and will not work properly for digesting the foods. That is why you should avoid hot drinks like tea or coffee while swallowing the Creon. 

Better you should take the medication with cold or lukewarm beverages. However, it does not mean you should not enjoy your favorite hot drinks forever, it is just that you should avoid it while you are taking the Creon. Wait just a few minutes after taking the medication before consuming something hot.

5# Alcohol 

You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking the Creon or while you are on pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. 

Alcohol not only affects the effectiveness of the Creon but also has negative effects on the pancreas itself. It can cause additional inflammation or even damage to the pancreas. 

So, when your pancreas is not working properly, drinking alcohol can even worsen the situation. The facts are especially true if you drink alcohol regularly or frequently.

What Happens If You Take Creon Without Food?

Typically, our pancreas produces digestive enzymes every time we eat a meal or snack. According to the recommendation of Creon, if you have EPI or Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, you should take it every time with your meal and snacks to work as expected. 

The digestive enzymes of Creon need to be mixed with food and enter the stomach and the small intestine at the same time. Creon works only when it is taken with food by the individual. That is why you have to take it during each meal. 

You should take the medication without food or on an empty stomach. If you have missed a dose of Creon, wait for the next meal to take the medication. Never double up your Creon, do not take it without food or meal, and do not change the dosage of Creon without the consultation of the doctor. 

If you have added an extra meal or snack to your diet plan, talk about it with the doctor. The doctors can tell you best what should you do or what not. 

Should You Take Creon With Fruit? 

As you see you have to take Creon with every meal or diet. The only food that does not require pancreatic enzymes to digest is included- 

• One portion of fruits or dried fruits.
• One portion of vegetables except for avocado, potatoes, pulses, or beans. 
• Jelly 
• Sweets like mints, chewing gum, jelly babies, marshmallows, wine gums, fruit pastilles, and dolly mixtures.
• Water, carbonated drinks, Squash, juice.
• alcoholic drinks except cream liqueurs
• tea or coffee that does not contain ½ or more milk.

The patients of the EPI need to take pancreatic enzymes with all other foods or drinks and also with natural supplements like Fortisip, Ensure, Fresubin, Meritine, Aymes, and Complan.

Alternatives To Creon

For people who are seeking an alternative to Creon, there are some pharmaceutical alternatives and natural alternatives are available. 

However, the alternatives to creon must be taken according to the consultation and the recommendation of the healthcare provider and the doctors. 

Here are the alternatives to the Creon. 

Pharmaceutical Alternatives 

Other than the Creon there are five FDA-approved pancreatic enzyme therapy medications for people with pancreatic digestive enzyme deficiency, for instance, Pertzye, Viokace, Ultresa, Pancreaze, and Zenpep. 

Your healthcare provider can only prescribe you the alternatives of the screen if you are not achieving the treatment goal with the Creon. 

Natural Alternatives 

There are many natural alternatives that you can buy over the counter that include the enzymes that digest the protein, carbs, and fats, probiotics, and fiber-digesting enzymes. 

One of the best ways to control the symptoms of a lack of pancreatic enzymes is to avoid foods that are high in content which need specific enzymes to break down. For instance, if you have lactose intolerance, you should avoid dairy-based foods and drinks which will decrease the lactose content in your diet. Avoiding high fiber or starch foods and alcohol will also aid the side effects of the low digestive enzymes. 

Moreover, you can also get the benefits from the OTC digestive supplement if you do not have severe pancreatic issues like cystic fibrosis or pancreatectomy. 

One of the keys to having healthy digestion is to maintain a well-balanced and healthy amount of carbs, protein, and fat in your diet. However, your healthcare provider can tell you whether you can get the benefit from the natural options or you should take the prescribed pancreatic enzymes.

Wrapping Up! Do I need to take the Creon with a banana?

Do I need to take the Creon with a banana or not- that all depends on your specific health needs and dietary preferences consideration. Although you can take a banana while taking Creon, you can do otherwise if your health condition tells you so. 

While there are no strict requirements that you need to pair Creon with a banana, consulting your doctor or pharmacist is a must here for ensuring the optimal digestive health of the individual. 

Balancing the benefits and the potential interactions will help you to make the informed decision for pairing the Creon with a banana. All in all, you ought to take Creon exactly as your doctor tells you.