Nattokinase is an enzyme present in natt\u014d, a traditional fermented Japanese food. It may help dissolve blood clots, which gives it therapeutic potential in heart disease. Read on to learn more about the health benefits of nattokinase.<\/p>\n
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Nattokinase<\/b>, also known as natto extract (subtilisin NAT or orokinase) is an enzyme in natt\u014d<\/b>, a fermented soybean product. It is produced when the soybeans are cooked and later fermented by adding the bacteria, Bacillus subtilis natto<\/i> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n It was discovered and extracted from natt\u014d in 1987 when natt\u014d was found to dissolve artificial fibrin (an insoluble protein involved in the formation of a blood clot). It has the highest anti-clotting (fibrinolytic) activity compared to other enzymes, making it a promising avenue for research in patients with heart disease<\/b> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Another advantage is that it can be either be consumed as a dietary supplement or orally administered [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Nattokinase has been extensively studied in Japan, Korea, and China. However, only recently has this enzyme been recognized for its powerful clot-dissolving properties in Western medicine [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Despite its name, nattokinase is not a kinase enzyme but instead belongs to the serine<\/a> protease family of enzymes, which work to break down other proteins. The mechanisms of action studied in animals or human cells, are as follows. In cell studies, nattokinase [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n Nattokinase supplements have not been approved by the FDA for medical use. Supplements generally lack solid clinical research. Regulations set manufacturing standards for them but don’t guarantee that they’re safe or effective. Speak with your doctor before supplementing.<\/p>\n In 2 clinical trials, one with 79 and the other with 86 subjects with high blood pressure, the group which received a dose of nattokinase once a day for 8 weeks had reduced blood pressure <\/b>(systolic and diastolic) compared to the placebo group. One of the studies found the reduction in blood pressure was more significant in male subjects<\/b> [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Nattokinase inhibits the angiotensin-converting enzyme, which causes narrowing of blood vessels. Inhibiting this enzyme may be involved in reducing blood pressure [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Nattokinase has the potential to benefit patients with thrombosis (formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel).<\/p>\n In a clinical trial (open-label, self-controlled design), 45 subjects were divided into 3 groups and received nattokinase daily for 2 months: a healthy group, patients considered at risk of heart disease, and patients undergoing dialysis. Risk factors for heart disease (<\/b>fibrinogen<\/b><\/a>, factor VII, and factor VIII) significantly decreased in all groups <\/b>[R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In a study of 12 healthy adult males, a single dose of nattokinase degraded fibrin and decreased levels of coagulation factors<\/b>, which are involved in blood clotting. Its effect lasted for a long time<\/b> (over 8 hours) compared to other enzymes (tissue plasminogen activator, urokinase) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In rats, its clot-dissolving activity was stronger than that of plasmin or elastase [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In rats with thrombosis, nattokinase decreased blood clots better than the saltwater solution. In addition, a high-dose of nattokinase was as effective in reducing blood clots as a known anti-clotting agent (vermis kinase) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In rats, a high dose of nattokinase fully inhibited thrombus formation. This was similar to the effects of aspirin, a well-known blood thinner. Nevertheless, the lack of adverse effects associated with its consumption suggests that it could be an effective treatment for improving blood flow [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Blood clots were experimentally induced in dogs. Oral consumption of nattokinase dissolved the blood clots and restored normal blood flow in only 5 hours [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Studies in human cells suggest that nattokinase [R<\/a>, R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n Researchers are currently investigating whether nattokinase has other health benefits. The potential benefits in this section have produced positive results in at least one clinical trial, but these studies are small, contradictory, or otherwise limited. Talk to your doctor before supplementing with nattokinase for any reason.<\/p>\n A study comparing nattokinase with statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) randomly divided 82 patients into one of those treatments for 26 weeks. Both treatments reduced total cholesterol, LDL<\/a> (the \u201cbad\u201d cholesterol), and triglycerides<\/a>. However, only nattokinase consumption increased HDL<\/a> (the \u201cgood\u201d cholesterol) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Other studies do not report a significant reduction in cholesterol levels or only showed a decrease in triglycerides levels. Hence, further studies are required to examine its effect on cholesterol levels. [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Daily nattokinase supplementation was remarkably better at reducing plaque size (36.6% plaque reduction) that causes hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) compared to statin treatment (11.5% plaque reduction) in 82 patients. The mechanisms by which it reduces cholesterol levels and decreases plaque size that results in the prevention of artery hardening may be different from each other [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n High von Willebrand Factor (vWF, a mediator released by damaged blood vessels that increases the risk of forming clots) levels are associated with the risk of stroke [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In a study of 79 hypertensive patients, vWF was reduced by 15% in the group who took nattokinase, compared to the placebo group that had no consistent change throughout the 8 weeks. However, vWF levels didn\u2019t decrease in males who consumed the supplement. This suggests a gender-specific effect of nattokinase in reducing vWF levels [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n No clinical evidence supports the use of nattokinase for any of the conditions listed in this section. Below is a summary of the existing animal and cell-based research, which should guide further investigational efforts. However, the studies listed below should not be interpreted as supportive of any health benefit.<\/p>\n In rats, nattokinase helped control factors that characterize Alzheimer\u2019s disease<\/a> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Certain factors that are high in Alzheimer\u2019s decreased with oral nattokinase consumption (acetylcholinesterase<\/a>, TGF<\/a>-\u03b2, Fas, and IL-6<\/a>). Meanwhile, others that are usually low, increased with nattokinase treatment (BDNF<\/a> and IGF-1<\/a>) compared to untreated rats with Alzheimer\u2019s disease characteristics. Thus, nattokinase may be a potential therapy for the treatment of Alzheimer\u2019s [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In cells, it also degrades amyloid fibrils, which are protein aggregates commonly found in cases of Alzheimer’s<\/a> disease [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In cells, nattokinase efficiently degraded parts of gliadin, a component of gluten. Hence, it may be a potential new treatment for intolerance to gliadin, known as celiac disease [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Many benefits of nattokinase were studied in cells or animals. Even though the findings were significant, these benefits may or may not apply to humans. For that reason, more studies with humans are needed.<\/p>\n There is no safe and effective dose of nattokinase because no sufficiently powered study has been conducted to find one. That being said, multiple clinical studies have produced beneficial results using a variety of doses.<\/p>\n Nattokinase activity is measured in FU, the number of fibrinolytic units (FU).<\/p>\n Based on human studies, 2,000 FU <\/b>has produced the greatest cardiovascular and antithrombotic benefits [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n There is not sufficient evidence to recommend nattokinase in combination with any other supplements. To avoid unexpected interactions, talk to your doctor before using nattokinase.<\/p>\n A combination of nattokinase and<\/b> red yeast rice<\/b><\/a> reduced cholesterol more effectively <\/b>than nattokinase alone.<\/p>\n In a clinical trial, 47 subjects with high cholesterol levels (hyperlipidemia) received either nattokinase only, nattokinase and red yeast rice extract, or placebo for 6 months. Treatment with nattokinase only started to decrease blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the last month of the study. However, the combined therapy (nattokinase and red yeast rice) reduced levels of LDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, and increased HDL, from the first month onward <\/b>[R<\/a>].<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to consider that red yeast rice itself may show these results, but that possibility was not explored in this study since it did not have a group of red yeast rice only.<\/p>\n Taking nattokinase with red yeast rice can also reduce<\/b> uric acid and thus, it may be helpful in reducing inflammation, gout, and kidney stones <\/b>[R<\/a>].<\/p>\n A byproduct of the bacteria <\/b>Streptomyces omiyaensis <\/i><\/b>may enhance the effectiveness of nattokinase. <\/b>In cells, a low concentration serine protease enzyme from Streptomyces omiyaensis<\/i> enhanced the activity of nattokinase in reducing blood clots [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Nattokinase is considered generally safe to consume as food. <\/b>This is based on a lack of reported side effects from human clinical trials and the fact that it has been a part of the Japanese diet for thousands of years [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Further human studies are needed to fully establish a safety profile. Talk to your doctor before supplementing to avoid adverse events and unexpected interactions.<\/p>\n Nattokinase binds to heparin, <\/b>a glycosaminoglycan used as an anticoagulant drug. Depending on the length of the heparin chain, nattokinase can interfere with heparin\u2019s functions. It can also bind to other glycosaminoglycans [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Since nattokinase may cause blood thinning, it should not be paired with other blood thinning agents such as aspirin or warfarin.<\/b> This can increase the risk of brain hemorrhage in patients who have small vessel disease<\/b> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\nMechanisms of Action<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Potential Benefits of Nattokinase<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
Possibly Effective<\/span><\/h3>\n
1) Blood Pressure<\/h4>\n
2) Blood Clot Prevention<\/h4>\n
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Insufficient Evidence<\/span><\/h3>\n
3) Cholesterol<\/h4>\n
4) Artery Hardening<\/h4>\n
5) Stroke Prevention<\/h4>\n
Animal and Cell Studies (Lacking Evidence)<\/span><\/h3>\n
7) Alzheimer\u2019s Disease<\/h4>\n
8) Celiac Disease<\/h4>\n
Limitations and Caveats<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Supplementation<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
Dosage<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
In Combination with Other Supplements<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Red Yeast Rice<\/b><\/h4>\n
Serine Protease from Streptomyces<\/b><\/h4>\n
Side Effects & Safety<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
Drug Interactions<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n