Nattokinase Health Benefits: All You Need to Know
Let’s take a closer look at Nattokinase health benefits, Nattokinase is acknowledged in human trials as a safe natural supplement to be used in treating cardiovascular heart disease, this is just one of the Nattokinase benefits.
In this article, we will look in more detail at nattokinase benefits and side effects.
Nattokinase-What Is It?
Nattokinase is derived from natto. Natto has been used by the Japanese as a traditional meal for more than 1,000 years. Natto is derived from a fermentation process using Bacillus subtilis and soya beans.
It is recommended to only use fermented soya beans because they are the easiest to digest and at the same time increase our body’s capacity to assimilate nutrients.
Additionally, natto is a fantastic source of a probiotic, it has been described as a superfood, it is an acquired taste, has a strong smell and a stringy consistency, and is low in calories.
Nattokinase health benefits
Nattokinase is a fibrinolytic enzyme separated from Natto, one of the main benefits is Nattokinase helps to support the fibrinolytic process as well as the body’s natural clotting mechanism.
When compared to other fibrinolytic enzymes Nattokinase has demonstrated superior oral fibrinolytic capacity.
Doctor Hiroyuki Sumi, a Japanese researcher at Chicago University discovered that Nattokinase was a viable alternative to Warfarin in helping to minimize the effects of blood clotting during the blood circulation process.
He made this discovery over 20 years ago while testing the effects of 173 separate foods on blood and blood clotting.
The evidence gathered would suggest that Nattokinase may be a beneficial supplement in a supportive role assisting the healthy flow of blood around the vascular system in the body.
This alone can have a major impact on one’s cardiovascular health and blood flow circulation.
Heart attack causes
One of the major causes of a heart attack or heart disease is the adhesive substance called plaque. In numerous studies Nattokinase has been shown to:
1. Break down the plaque build-up in the arterial system
2. Destroy any existing blood clots
3. Dissolve any fibrin in the body.
4, Reduces bad cholesterol (LDL)
5. Increases good cholesterol (HDL)
6. Thins blood
7. Lowers blood pressure
Nattokinase study
In one particular study of 73 people each who took Nattokinase (2,000 FU) per capsule over eight weeks, the results showed a greater heart health improvement in this group compared to the placebo group.
In another study conducted at the University of Los Angeles by researchers from Oklahoma State University, JCR pharmaceuticals and Miyazaki Medical College on 12 volunteers Nattokinase demonstrated its ability to reduce the aggregation of red blood cells.
During a further trial, the subjects were put on a 200 mg dose of Nattokinase, and their fibrinolytic activity was tracked during a sequence of blood plasma rests, and the results showed an increased capacity in dissolving blood clots between two to eight hours.
Blood thinning
Plasmin is an enzyme produced by our bodies and it breaks down any fibrin that we produce.
Nattokinase can do the same job, it is a fibrinolytic protease and by its nature, it will dissolve protein in a way that is more potent than plasmin.
Blood thinning drugs have side effects because they can affect fibrin production.
Nattokinase acts to dissolve the fibrin itself without any side effects.
Blood Pressure
Nattokinase is a safe viable alternative to blood pressure drugs because it is an (ACE) angiotensin-converting enzyme as was proven during a trial of five people with high blood pressure who were given 30 grams of Natto extract for four days in a row.
The results showed that in four out of the five who volunteered systolic blood pressure reduced by .20 points (173.8-154.8) and diastolic blood pressure reduced on average by .20 points (101.0 -91.2)
We know that Nattokinase is safe to take, it is natural, so it is no surprise that people are using it as an alternative to blood pressure drugs.
Alzheimer’s Disease
We don’t know the exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease, but one study showed that beta-amyloid plaque deposits are associated with increased damage to the brain cells leading to oxidative stress.
Nattokinase and Serrapeptase were shown in one study to have therapeutic benefits in the treatment of Alzheimer’s because of their ability to dissolve amyloid plaque.
Plaque build-up anywhere in the body will lead to problems.
Nattokinase Dangers
Generally speaking Nattokinase as a supplement is safe to take but it should not be taken if a bleeding disorder is present, similarly, people who take blood thinning medication like coumadin, aspirin or warfarin, or any other blood thinner should not take Nattokinase.
Nattokinase contains a lot of Vitamin K and as such it will lower the effectiveness of some blood thinners such as Coumadin recent times there was a report of cerebral hemorrhage caused by a combination of aspirin and Nattokinase in a woman in her fifties with cerebral bleeds.
Neurological surgery is a procedure carried out by a specialist concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and rehabilitation of diseases that affect any part of the nervous system like the brain, peripheral nerves, spinal cord, etc.
People who have been affected by intracranial bleeding, ischemic stroke, or neurological surgery should not take Nattokinase, people with a bad heart health history, and those who have had a stroke, surgery, or an ulcer should not take Nattokinase.
Nattokinase is a natural blood thinner, it can dissolve fibrin and not do any harm to the arteries.
Nattokinase Dosage
The recommended dosage is one to two capsules per day (2,000 FUs) during some clinical studies double this amount was used (4,000 FUs)
If taking 4,000 FUs we recommend you take one first thing in the morning, one more in the afternoon, and two tablets at night just before going to bed. Nattokinase should be taken on an empty stomach.
Nattokinase testimonials
NB: It is important to seek medical advice regarding taking any supplement from a person who is well-versed in alternative medicine, there are many testimonials from people who have used Nattokinase and you can read them by CLICKING HERE
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