Vascular Vitality: Exploring the Impact of Nattokinase

What is nattokinase, and how do you know if you should take it? In this article you’ll learn the clinical uses of this fermented soy enzyme to determine whether nattokinase is right for you.

What is Nattokinase?

Natto is a traditional Japanese food with distinctive pungent and mushy qualities. Enjoyed for centuries as an affordable, nutrient-rich staple, natto is also popular in China, where it is considered a damp-heat clearing food.

As damp-heat loosely translates from Traditional Chinese Medicine to Western medicine sense of “inflammation,” it makes sense that nattokinase, the enzyme derived from fermented natto, is emerging as a supplement that supports cardiovascular health.*

Concentrated and encapsulated, nattokinase can be taken to support the healthy breakdown of fibrin in the body.* Like probiotics, it supports metabolism and healthy body fat composition and is recommended by integrative medical providers for a variety of health concerns.*

7 Health Benefits of Nattokinase*

Nattokinase is an active enzyme, ready to get to work throughout your body to destroy and dispose of excess fibrin.* As nattokinase promotes the smooth flow of blood through the veins and arteries, many of its benefits are cardiovascular.*

1. Vascular integrity. The endothelial lining inside the blood vessels encounters the daily generation of free radicals, which can cause potential issues within the body. Nattokinase acts like pac-man, gobbling up excess fibrin that your body deposits throughout your arteries and veins to support healthy blood flow.
   
   
2. Blood clots. Blood clotting requires a delicate balance of both fibrin—to stop the bleeding—and plasmin—to break down excess fibrin accumulations.* For individuals who need more support, supplementing with Nattokinase Plus could be a great way to promote appropriate clotting function.*
   
   
3. Acne. Staph bacteria—the common cause of acne—emits a protective coagulant made of fibrin to enforce its stronghold on the skin’s surface, where it can grow and multiply uninterrupted by your soap. Nattokinase targets fibrin and dissolves it, supporting skin healing.
   
   
4. Menstrual discomfort. The common but annoying temporary discomforts associated with the menstrual cycle can put a damper on your month. Nattokinase acts as a systemic enzyme, supporting the dissolving of uncomfortable fibrin accumulations.*
   
   
5. Cognitive function. One study showed that nattokinase and another fibrinolytic enzyme, serrapeptase, promoted the breakdown of inflammatory proteins, supporting long-term brain health.*^[1] 
   
   
6. Sexual function. The fibrolytic action of nattokinase also promotes healthy blood flow to the reproductive organs, making it especially helpful in supporting male virility.*

Impact of Nattokinase on Vascular Health*

The daily onslaught of free radicals and environmental toxins wreaks havoc on the delicate interior blood vessel wall. As tiny cuts, or microtears, are made in the tissue, your body jumps to action to protect you by smothering the abrasions with fibrin, the protein designed to clot blood or stop bleeding.*

Some individuals may have too much fibrin action, usually as part of an overactive protective bodily response. This can lead to an inflammatory response, which can lead to potential issues with cardiovascular functions.

By promoting fibrinolysis (the breakdown of fibrin), nattokinase may help support healthy blood flow for smooth circulation.* Better blood flow ensures the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the heart and other organs, promoting cardiovascular and overall health.*

Because nattokinase promotes the production of nitric oxide, a substance made in the body to help relax and dilate the blood vessels, this supplement also supports healthy blood pressure levels.*

Some studies suggest nattokinase may have a positive impact on cholesterol levels, including lower total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides, while increasing healthy low-density lipoprotein levels.*^[2] 

Natto has been a health food dish in Asian cultures for centuries, but Western scientific research is still preliminary. While promising, more comprehensive studies are needed to fully explain the mechanisms of action.

Are There Concerns to Using Nattokinase?

Both traditional use and modern research suggest that nattokinase use is generally safe and supportive of cardiovascular health, but because individuals taking a blood thinner were not included in the study, they should consult with an integrative doctor on dosage and duration.^[3] 

Pregnant women and those with a known or suspected blood clotting disorder should be under the care of an integrative doctor if adding nattokinase to their supplementation regimen.

Common Dosing for Nattokinase

Dosing of nattokinase depends on the individual, their health conditions, and wellness goals, but often falls into the range of around 400 mg, 2-3 times per day to induce functional change and 100-200 mg 2-3 times per day for longer term use.

Those needing extra support might be instructed to take higher doses by their physician.

RELATED CONTENT: AM I HEALTHY? (+ SUPPLEMENTS FOR HEALTHY AGING*)

Takeaway

For those seeking cardiovascular support, nattokinase can be an excellent addition to your daily supplement routine.* Appreciated in Japan for centuries, modern research is confirming the anti-inflammatory, fibrinolytic properties of this active enzyme.*

Extracted and encapsulated from fermented soy, nattokinase is shown to be extra effective at scavenging free radicals when combined with an additional enzyme called serratiopeptidase.*  Together, these enzymes promote vessel health and smooth circulation.*

Continued research on nattokinase is underway, and studies look promising for the use of nattokinase supplements for overall cardiovascular health and wellness.*

[1] Fadl N, Ahmed H, Booles H, Sayed A. Serrapeptase and nattokinase…in rat model. Human & Experimental Toxicology. 2013;32(7):721-735. doi:10.1177/0960327112467040