Natto is a kind of health food made from soybean fermented by Natto bacteria, containing a variety of amino acids, vitamins, minerals and other effective ingredients, rich in nutrients, high nutritional value is recognized by the world. Among them, the most “eye-catching” number of nattokinase.

Nattokinase is a kind of fibrinolytic proteolytic (fibrinolytic) enzyme, originally found in Japanese fermented soybean products natto. Natto, a dish made from fermented soybeans and Bacillus subtilis, has a slimy texture and a strong acidic flavor that is not easy for some people to accept.

Nattokinase is particularly sensitive to the cross-linked state of fibrin (fibrin that has formed a thrombus) and can degrade it directly without affecting plasma fibrin, making it less likely to cause bleeding. In addition, nattokinase has a diversified thrombolytic mechanism, in addition to the above direct thrombolytic effect, there is also a small amount of indirect thrombolytic effect.

Effects of Nattokinase

1. Preventing and dissolving blood clots

Although thrombus is regarded as a bad thing, in fact, it has the function of repairing blood vessels and stopping bleeding in the body, and when the task is accomplished, it will be broken down by thrombolytic enzymes. Once this enzyme reduces secretion or loses its function, thrombus in the body will increase rapidly, and cause myocardial infarction, stroke, and vascular dementia and other diseases.

NutritionResearch journal in 2009 published a study pointed out that for high-risk patients with cardiovascular disease, take 2,000FUs of nattokinase twice a day, two months after blood sampling found that blood clots have fallen dramatically for the cardiovascular protection, can avoid myocardial infarction, the occurrence of stroke.

2. Lowering blood pressure

HypertensionResearch journal in 2008 published a study, pointed out that patients with high blood pressure for eight consecutive weeks to take 2,000FUs of nattokinase, can make the blood pressure dropped significantly, this is due to the nattokinase can inhibit the enzyme to make the blood pressure elevated, so nattokinase can prevent and even treat the occurrence of hypertension.

3. Prevent dementia

Chinese people more often occur “vascular dementia” is mostly due to the brain microvessels are blocked by blood clots caused by taking nattokinase can dissolve blood clots, prevent dementia.

Another common degenerative type of dementia “Alzheimer’s Disease” is related to the abnormal accumulation of starch plaques and tangled nerve fibers in the brain. The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry released a study in 2009, pointing out that nattokinase can break down this type of starch plaques, and therefore has the potential of treating and preventing Alzheimer’s Disease. It has the potential to treat and prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

4. Lower cholesterol

AsiaPacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AsiaPacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition) published a study in 2009, pointing out that Nattokinase with red yeast extract can effectively reduce total cholesterol, bad cholesterol and cholesterol. Bad cholesterol, triglycerides Triglycerides and good cholesterol.

What’s more, the use of these supplements does not have the many side effects of the cholesterol-lowering drug Statin (e.g., fatigue, heartburn, heart failure). Heart weakness. Loss of memory. Muscle aches and pains. Liver damage).

Side Effects of Nattokinase

Nattokinase is safe for normal use, but because of its anticoagulant properties, do not use it under the following conditions (if misused, it may increase the risk of bleeding), or consult your doctor before use:

1. If you have bleeding injuries such as stomach ulcers, hemorrhoids or trauma;

2. 2 weeks before surgery;

3. If you are taking anticoagulant medications such as warfarin, aspirin, heparin, or the anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen.

Since Nattokinase has the effect of lowering blood pressure, do not use it if you suffer from low blood pressure or severe anemia because it will lower your blood pressure, which may further lead to nausea and dizziness, and do not use it if you are pregnant.