Nattokinase Clinical Evidence
Nutrition Research
Topic:
Can nattokinase reduce blood coagulation agents that lead to blood clots?
Background:
Fibrinogen, factor VII, and factor VIII are all important coagulation agents and risk factors for heart disease. Can supplementation with nattokinase, an enzyme isolated from the traditional Japanese fermented food natto, reduce them?
Study Type:
Human clinical trial
Study Design:
Open-label, self-controlled. Subjects were assigned to 3 groups: healthy volunteers, those with risk factors for heart disease, and those undergoing dialysis. All subjects took nattokinase. Levels of coagulation factors and blood lipids were measured at base line and after 2 months.
Dosage:
4,000 FU/day for 2 months
Subjects:
45 subjects
Results:
Levels of all 3 coagulation factors declined continuously in all 3 groups by 9%–19%. Blood lipids were not affected. There were no statistically significant differences between groups.
Conclusions:
“In summary, this study showed that oral administration of nattokinase could be considered as a CVD nutraceutical by decreasing plasma levels of fibrinogen, factor VII, and factor VIII.”
Journal of Analytical Bio-Science
Topic:
What is the effect of nattokinase on blood mobility and blood lipids?
Background:
Nattokinase has been shown to break up blood clots. Does it have other cardiovascular benefits?
Study Type:
Human clinical trial
Study Design:
Subjects took nattokinase and their blood mobility and blood lipids were measured at baseline and after 4 weeks.
Dosage:
Two 447-mg capsules per day providing 200 mg Nattoesse (nattokinase plus vitamin K2) for 4 weeks
Subjects:
4 healthy subjects
Results:
Blood mobility improved. In the nattokinase group, total cholesterol decreased (from 265.5 ± 44.0 mg/dL to 215.3 ± 46.8 mg/dL), as did neutral fat (1,050.8 ± 1,030.4 mg/dL to 457.5 ± 409.6 mg/dL) and LDL (bad) cholesterol (115.5 ± 34.0 mg/dL to 91.0 ± 38.3 mg/dL), while HDL (good) cholesterol remained steady.
Conclusions:
“When nattokinase is taken, a high lipid concentration in serum decreases, and cell hemorheology is improved, suggesting that blood mobility was recovered.”
Topic:
What is the effect of nattokinase on blood mobility and blood lipids?
Background:
Nattokinase has been shown to break up blood clots. Does it have other cardiovascular benefits?
Study Type:
Human clinical trial
Study Design:
Subjects took nattokinase and their blood mobility and blood lipids were measured at baseline and after 4 weeks.
Dosage:
Two 447-mg capsules per day providing 200 mg Nattoesse (nattokinase plus vitamin K2) for 4 weeks
Subjects:
4 healthy subjects
Results:
Blood mobility improved. In the nattokinase group, total cholesterol decreased (from 265.5 ± 44.0 mg/dL to 215.3 ± 46.8 mg/dL), as did neutral fat (1,050.8 ± 1,030.4 mg/dL to 457.5 ± 409.6 mg/dL) and LDL (bad) cholesterol (115.5 ± 34.0 mg/dL to 91.0 ± 38.3 mg/dL), while HDL (good) cholesterol remained steady.
Conclusions:
“When nattokinase is taken, a high lipid concentration in serum decreases, and cell hemorheology is improved, suggesting that blood mobility was recovered.”
Acta Cardiologica Sinica
Lipid-Lowering Effect of Nattokinase in Patients
with Primary Hypercholesterolemia.
2009; 25:26
–
30.
Topic:
What is the effect of nattokinase on subjects with elevated cholesterol?
Background:
Previous research has suggested that nattokinase may reduce cholesterol, but there is no clinical data on its use by patients with hypercholesterolemia (very high levels of cholesterol).
Study Type:
Human clinical trial
Study Design:
Placebo-controlled. Subjects took nattokinase or a placebo. Their blood lipids were measured at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks.
Dosage:
400 mg (4,000 FU)/day for 8 weeks
Subjects:
30 subjects with hypercholesterolemia
Results:
While there were no statistically significant changes in triglycerides, non-HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol/HDL ratio, or LDL/HDL ratio in either group, there was a trend toward greater reduction of total cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, and (bad) LDL cholesterol in the nattokinase group.
Conclusions:
“In adults with primary hypercholesterolemia, nattokinase is well tolerated and in combination with low cholesterol diet may have effects on the serum cholesterol profile.”
Mechanism of Action
Nattokinase contains serine proteinase, an enzyme that degrades blood clots by breaking up the blood coagulation factor fibrinogen. This action likely reduces the thickness of arterial walls and improves blood flow. It also increases tissue plasminogen activator, which reduces blood viscosity. Both of these actions increase blood flow, which helps lower blood pressure. In addition, nattokinase reduces blood pressure by decreasing the activity of renin (an enzyme that regulates blood pressure) and by preventing the elevation of levels of plasma angiotensin II (a hormone that constricts blood vessels). Finally, nattokinase is believed to reduce LDL cholesterol by inhibiting its oxidation.