Nattokinase is newly available in Canada! This supplement is an enzyme ex-tracted from natto (fermented soybeans), which is popular in traditional Japanese cuisine. One of the most well-known benefits of nattokinase is for cardiovas-cular health, specifically dissolv-ing blood clots, reducing bad cholesterol and improving good cholesterol, and reducing blood pressure. There are also studies to suggest nattokinase can treat Alzheimer’s disease, reduce risk of stroke, reduce nasal inflam-mation, and possibly even aid in treating celiac disease.
Nattokinase may prevent blood clots and can be used as a treat-ment for existing blood clots.
Nattokinase has the potential to be a treatment for thrombosis (formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel). There is some evidence that taking a specific combination product might decrease the chance of getting a blood clot in the legs during long plane flights. This product combines a blend of 150 mg of nattokinase plus pycnogenol. Two capsules are taken 2 hours before the flight and then again 6 hours later.
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 at the risk of heart disease, and patients under-going dialysis. Risk factors for heart disease (fibrinogen, factor VII, and factor VIII) significantly decreased in all groups [R].
In a study of 12 healthy adult males, a single dose of nat-tokinase degraded fibrin and decreased levels of coagulation factors, which are involved in blood clotting. Its effect lasted for a long time (over 8 hours) compared to other enzymes.
######Studies in human cells suggest that nattokinase [R, R]:
- Directly reduces fibrin clots 6 times more efficiently than plasmin• Increases activity of anti-clotting enzymes (urokinase, t-PA)
- Reduces pro-clotting enzymes (PAI-1)
######Nattokinase has been shown to treat the following:
- High cholesterol, Heart disease, Stroke Angina “Hardening of the ateries” (atherosclerosis).- Hemorrhoids, Poor circulation, Varicose veins, Peripheral artery disease (PAD) Pain
- Fibromyalgia, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Endometriosis, Uterine fibroids
- Muscle spasms, Infertility, Cancer
