If you’re looking for natural and holistic ways to support your cardiovascular health, nattokinase may be an option. Nattokinase is an enzyme derived from natto, a fermented soy-based dish that’s been a staple in everyday Japanese cuisine for centuries. How does nattokinase support heart health? Here’s everything you should know about this unique superfood.
What is Natto?
Natto, an everyday breakfast food in Japan, is made by steaming and fermenting soybeans with Bacillus subtilis. Fermentation with this bacterium naturally produces nattokinase, an enzyme that gives natto its distinct smell, cheese-like flavor, and health benefits. How notable are nattokinase benefits? Some experts believe that a high rate of natto consumption is one of the reasons that Japan’s population experiences lower chronic disease rates, decreased risk of cardiovascular disease deaths, and longer lifespans than average.
4 Nattokinase Benefits for Heart Health and More
Why does nattokinase have such a profound effect on heart health and lifespan? Researchers point to its most unique feature: multiple cardiovascular preventative and alleviating pharmacological effects, all contained in one compound. Most importantly, nattokinase has antithrombotic, antihypertensive, anticoagulant, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering, antiplatelet, and neuroprotective effects.
These properties explain why nattokinase may boost cardiovascular health, help prevent age-related diseases, and even delay aging.
Here are some of the most notable nattokinase benefits for heart health.
Promotes Healthy Blood Flow
Nattokinase is known as a fibrinolytic enzyme, meaning that it helps prevent naturally occurring blood clots from growing and causing problems. A fibrinolytic enzyme is an enzyme that helps dissolve fibrin, a protein that causes blood clots. By reducing fibrin levels, nattokinase keeps blood clots in check, helps maintain blood vessel structure, improves blood flow, supports healthy circulation, and lowers heart disease risk.
Reduces Blood Pressure
Nattokinase has also been found to boost cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure. While there is debate about how nattokinase affects blood pressure, multiple studies have found that it significantly reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Reduces Risk of Blood Clots
Low-dose aspirin, a potent anticoagulant, is one of the most common medications used to reduce the risk of blood clots and prevent heart attack, stroke, and atherothrombotic diseases. While aspirin is effective, long-term use can cause severe gastrointestinal side effects, including stomach ulcers and bleeding. Some research suggests that nattokinase may present a viable alternative to low-dose aspirin: in studies, nattokinase has been observed to demonstrate excellent antiplatelet aggregation effects and antithrombotic activity similar to – and potentially superior to – aspirin but without aspirin’s gastrointestinal side effects.
Lowers Risk of Heart Disease/Heart Attack
Along with its ability to help prevent blood clots, additional studies have found that nattokinase supplements could suppress the progression of atherosclerosis, the primary cause of heart disease and stroke. Some studies have even found that nattokinase supplements may be more effective at lowering the risk of heart attack than statins.
Finding a Nattokinase Supplement
As always, talk with your doctor before starting a new supplement. But when you’re ready to try nattokinase for heart health, know what to look for in a nattokinase supplement. Above all, be sure you’re purchasing a nattokinase supplement from a trusted manufacturer with a proven track record of producing high-quality products with premium ingredients. We recommend Healthy Origins, Cardiovascular Research, and Allergy Research Group.
Nattokinase 100 Mg from Healthy Origins contains Nattokinase derived from non-GMO soybeans. This supplement is 100% natural, suitable for vegans, and third-party tested for potency and purity.
Nattokinase 100 Mg from Allergy Research Group. Made with patented Nattokinase NSK-SD®, this product was the first nattokinase introduced into the U.S. market. Its comprehensive safety and potency established standardization and quality levels for all nattokinase. Allergy Research Group’s Nattokinase contains isolated, purified, and encapsulated nattokinase that is vegetarian, non-irradiated, and free of vitamin K2.
Nattokinase 50 Mg from Cardiovascular Research is a lower-dose nattokinase supplement that contains purified Nattokinase from soy to support cardiovascular function and promote healthy blood flow. Nattokinase 50 Mg contains no vitamin K and is gluten-free and casein-free.
Now you know 4 nattokinase benefits for heart health, as well as some dietary supplements of nattokinase that may help support your wellbeing. Which supplement will you try on your health journey?
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Dr. Kathleen Scala, AP DOM, is an NCCAOM FL Board Certified Acupuncture Physician and Doctor of Oriental Medicine. She graduated with honors from East West College of Natural Medicine in Sarasota, FL and received NCCAOM diplomas for both acupuncture and Chinese Herbology. Through her acupuncture and herbal training she also became skilled in nutrition and homeopathy. While a medical student Kathleen managed the herbal clinic at East West College. She brings extensive supplement knowledge from over twenty-four years in the natural health and wellness industry.