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NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., April 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie today announced a partnership with celebrity dietitian Joy Bauer to raise awareness about the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle for people with a little-known gastrointestinal (GI) condition called exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). The renowned dietitian and television personality drew upon the expertise from her 25-year career to develop a guide containing nutrition tips and healthy recipes for this community of patients. The nutrition guide, along with additional information on EPI can be found at www.identifyepi.com/joybauer.

"I am thrilled to partner with AbbVie to educate people with EPI about the important role diet plays in managing the condition," said Joy Bauer, MS, RD, CDN. "For as long as I can remember, I've had a true passion for health and a love of food. I firmly believe that you feel better when you eat better."

Joy's nutrition tips and easy-to-prepare recipes demonstrate how people with EPI can adjust their daily diet and routine to receive good nutrition. When you have EPI, the pancreas does not produce enough digestive enzymes to break down and convert food into nutrients.¹ The undigested food travels through the GI tract and may cause symptoms like frequent diarrhea, unexplained weight loss, gas, bloating, frequent bowel movements and stomach pain.¹

Good nutrition, paired with an overall treatment plan prescribed by a doctor, can play an important role in helping manage EPI. The nutrition guide was not designed for those with EPI due to cystic fibrosis (CF), who may have very different and specific nutritional needs.

"AbbVie is proud to partner with Joy Bauer on this initiative to help those who suffer or think they may suffer from EPI better understand the relationship between good nutrition and effectively managing their condition," said Michael Robinson M.D., vice president and head of AbbVie U.S. and Puerto Rico Medical Affairs. "The guide demonstrates our firm commitment to support patients living with ongoing GI issues and provide individuals with information to help address this under-recognized condition."

About EPI
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, or EPI, is a medical condition that occurs when the pancreas doesn't produce enough digestive enzymes to break down the carbohydrates, proteins and fats in foods and convert them into nutrients.¹ Symptoms may include frequent diarrhea, unexplained weight-loss, gas, bloating, frequent bowel movements and stomach pain.¹ This condition can be difficult to diagnose because many of the symptoms mimic those of other GI disorders.¹ EPI is commonly associated with certain diseases and conditions that affect the pancreas, such as chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), cystic fibrosis (a disease that affects the lungs and digestive systems), pancreatectomy (surgical removal of all or part of the pancreas), gastrointestinal surgery, pancreatic cancer and diabetes.^1,2 Visit www.identifyEPI.com to learn more.

About AbbVie
AbbVie is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott Laboratories. The company's mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to develop and market advanced therapies that address some of the world's most complex and serious diseases. AbbVie employs more than 26,000 people worldwide and markets medicines in more than 170 countries. For further information on the company and its people, portfolio and commitments, please visit www.abbvie.com.  Follow @abbvie on Twitter or view careers on our Facebook or LinkedIn page.

References

1. Fieker A, Philpott J, Armand M. Enzyme replacement therapy for pancreatic insufficiency: present and future. Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2011;4:55-73.
2. Keller J and P Layer. Human Pancreatic Exocrine Response to Nutrients in Health and Disease. Gut. 2005; 54:1-28.

SOURCE AbbVie