Nattokinase: Nature’s Heart Health Enzyme? Critical Unbiased Review of Clinical Proof

Have you ever wondered if there's a natural way to support your cardiovascular health? Enter nattokinase, an enzyme derived from natto, a traditional fermented food that has been a staple in Asian cuisine for over 2,000 years. In this comprehensive review, we'll dive deep into the science behind nattokinase and explore its potential benefits for heart health, including proof of it being a natural clot buster, reducing blood pressure and cholesterol, and what you need to watch out for to minimize nattokinase side effects. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase after clicking a link.

What is Nattokinase?

Nattokinase is an enzyme discovered in natto, a popular Japanese fermented soybean dish, in 1980. Soybeans are fermented using a bacteria called Bacillus subtilis to produce natto. The enzyme produced during this process is then extracted, purified, and used in dietary supplements.

Because nattokinase dissolves fibrin, a protein involved in blood clots, researchers have investigated its potential therapeutic properties, particularly in heart disease. Indeed, several human clinical trials have been conducted on this possible natural clot-buster enzyme.

When searching for a suitable supplement, you may encounter the term fibrinase. Fibrinase (also called plasmin) is an enzyme manufactured in the liver that breaks down blood clots. Some

companies may use the fibrinase enzyme in their nattokinase dietary supplements. This will be denoted on the supplement facts label, where it will say “from fibrinase enzyme.” Whether fibrinase is superior to nattokinase requires more study.

Nattokinase Dosage. What Does FU Mean?

Fibrinolytic units (FU) are usually how dosages of this enzyme are denoted on supplement facts labels. Fibrinolytic Units (also called Fibrin Units) refer to the potency of the enzyme (the biological activity/ how well it works).

This can frustrate people who prefer dosages in milligrams. When interpreting amounts, a general rule of thumb is to remember that 100 mg of nattokinase equates to 2000 FU.

Some manufacturers will state the dosage in milligrams and FU, while others won't. This is likely because companies view Fibrin Units as a more significant property to convey to customers. Milligrams only tell how much (the weight) of the enzyme is present per serving, while FU tells how well that enzyme is expected to work.

The Scientific Evidence: Breaking Down the Research

Several human clinical trials have been performed on nattokinase. Let's examine that research and reveal the results.

Blood Clot Breakdown Research

Study

One early study involving 12 healthy young men showed that a single dose of nattokinase improved blood clot breakdown markers by 44% in just 6 hours. These are encouraging results, but because these researchers tested the enzyme on young, healthy men in their 20s, their results may not fully represent its effects on older or less healthy individuals.

Study

Another research team gave 45 men and women in their mid-50s 2000 FU of nattokinase per day for two months. They reported significant reductions in blood clot system components fibrin (10%), Factor II (7-14%), and Factor VIII (16-19%). A weakness, however, is the lack of a placebo group.

Study

 

Can Nattokinase Lower Blood Pressure?

At least four human clinical trials have revealed that nattokinase does not significantly improve systolic or diastolic blood pressure. A breakdown reveals 75% of those studies lasted between two and three months, although one trial lasted three years.

Three of the trials were randomized, placebo-controlled (the best kind), and involved dosages of 2000 FU. In one randomized clinical trial involving 73 men and women with high blood pressure were given 2000 FU of the enzyme daily for 8 weeks. Compared to placebo takers, results revealed:

• Systolic blood pressure dropped from 145 to 131
• Diastolic blood pressure decreased from 95 to 89

Interestingly, the placebo group also showed a reduction in blood pressure— the placebo effect. However, Nattokinase had a superior blood pressure-reducing effect.

Even though the supplement worked better than a placebo, a blood pressure reduction to 131/89 would still be considered elevated and a concern to most healthcare professionals. In one of the studies, researchers used a brand called Nattospes at a dosage of 1200 FU daily for two months. It also failed to reduce blood pressure to the optimal range.

Cholesterol and Arterial Health

At least five clinical trials have investigated if the natto enzyme can improve blood vessel health and lipid levels.

Study

The largest of these studies involved 1,062 men and women who were followed for a year. Those who took 10,800 FU of nattokinase daily had:

• • 22% reduction in carotid artery wall thickness
  • 36% reduction in carotid artery plaque size
  • 16% reduction in total cholesterol
  • 18% reduction in LDL
  • 15% reduced triglycerides
  • 16% increase in HDL

As impressive as these results were, the fact that it was not a placebo-controlled trial is a major limitation.

Study

Another team of researchers administered 1200 FU of the natto enzyme to 61 men and women who had a history of ischemic stroke. After two months, the supplement (called Nattospes) reduced total cholesterol from 213 mg/dl to 185 mg/dl. No data on LDL or triglycerides were provided.

Two additional studies, which used 2000 FU of nattokinase, failed to show any significant improvements in blood lipids. One of those trials lasted three years.

What About Nattokinase Combined With Other Supplements?

Few researchers have evaluated the possibility that the natto enzyme works better when combined with other compounds that have similar effects.

In two clinical trials, nattokinase was combined with red yeast rice. Red yeast rice supplements contain lovastatin, a potent cholesterol-lowering medication. Both trials revealed the combined ingredients reduced cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides. However, neither trial compared the combination against nattokinase alone.

As discussed above, Flite Tabs contains both nattokinase and pycnogenol. This concoction reduced DVTs and edema; however, how Flite Tabs compares to nattokinase by itself requires more study.

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Nattokinase Safety and Considerations

Good news for those interested in trying nattokinase: none of the clinical trials discovered by this reporter revealed significant side effects.

• However, for optimum safety, it's crucial to:
  • Start with less than a company recommends for at least the first week.
  • Taking less at first gives your body time to adjust and may minimize side effects if they occur in you.
  • Consult your physician if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Nattokinase may combine with blood thinners such as Coumadin (Warfarin) to “thin” the blood too much.
  • Exercise caution when combining nattokinase with other supplements that have blood-thinning effects. Some examples include:
    • Fish oil
    • Garlic
    • Ginkgo Biloba
    • Vitamin E
    • Willow bark
    • Resveratrol

Conclusion: The Promising Potential of Nattokinase

Nattokinase represents an intriguing area of natural heart health research. While the enzyme appears to offer some potential benefits for cardiovascular health, such as possibly dissolving blood clots, more research is needed to understand its capabilities thoroughly – and who should avoid this enzyme.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.