First, I should mention I have chronic pancreatitis and this affects how much digestive enzymes my pancreas does, or does not, produce enzymes that help digest my food. The condition also causes a lot of pain but that's another subject.
Creon supplements how much protease (protein enzyme), lipase (fat enzyme) and amylase (carb enzyme) that my body produces. Anything ending with -ase is generally an enzyme and enzymes either help with or actually enables breakdown of these larger molecules into smaller molecules that my body needs and can then recombine. I am not going to put on or lose weight by taking Creon, but the enzymes enable my body to breakdown the larger molecules -- proteins, carbs and fats -- into smaller molecules that my body can then resynethise into nutrients that it needs. It (creon) is not going to make me lose weight or gain weight. It doesn't work like that. Some nutrients the body cannot produce naturally which is why they're called "essential" and enzymes are required. Without the enzymes the process cannot occur. Creon provides enzymes that break down the larger molecules (like fats) into smaller molecules so that that my body can produce what it needs. Without creon I'd probably die because the enzymes are not present and I'd not have the essential nutrients. It'd take a long time I think but I'm pretty sure I would (hey, we need those nutrients, but if the pancreas is not producing the enzymes to breadown the macronuturients we're up the proverbial creek). I sometimes forget my Creon and it doesn't seem to make a difference, I also don't always take it with snacks but your doctor is the person to advise you about that, not me. You can take too much Creon. So always please speak to your health professional.
