Non-Alcoholic Fatty Pancreas Disease

Pancreatic fat accumulation and its suppression of beta cells is a reversible process. Fat accumulation in the pancreas can impair beta cell insulin secretion. Pancreatic dysfunction can reflect fat deposition in the pancreas rather than irreversible beta cell failure alone. Beta cell impairment in the pancreas is caused by fat accumulation within the organ, the same mechanism that causes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Excess fat infiltrating the pancreas suppresses beta cell function. People with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes are described as having non-alcoholic fatty pancreas disease as well as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.