Nattokinase: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
NAT subtilisin, Natto extract
Scientific name(s)
Nattokinase
Family or group:
Enzymes
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Atherosclerosis ✪✪✪✪✪
A retrospective observational study on Chinese patients with hyperlipidemia and/or mild atherosclerosis showed promising results. Daily intake of 10,800 fibrinolytic units of nattokinase for 12 months was associated with a 22% reduction in carotid artery intima-media thickness and a 36% reduction in carotid plaque size compared to initial measurements. These effects appear to be enhanced by good lifestyle habits including regular exercise, and limiting tobacco and alcohol consumption. However, the absence of a control group and the retrospective nature of this study limit the scope of its conclusions. Another clinical study compared the efficacy of nattokinase with simvastatin, a drug commonly used to treat atherosclerosis. After 26 weeks of treatment, patients receiving nattokinase showed a significant reduction in intima-media thickness and carotid plaque size, surpassing the results obtained with simvastatin. However, clinical research involving patients at low risk of cardiovascular disease revealed that daily intake of 2000 fibrinolytic units of nattokinase for three years did not result in significant changes in subclinical atherosclerosis (early phase of atherosclerosis), as measured by carotid artery intima-media thickness and carotid arterial stiffness, compared to a placebo.
Posologie
Oral
2000 - 10800 fibrinolytic unit
A clinical study on the effect of nattokinase on carotid artery atherosclerosis and hyperlipidaemia
Effective management of atherosclerosis progress and hyperlipidemia with nattokinase: A clinical study with 1,062 participants
Dyslipidemia ✪✪✪✪✪
Nattokinase shows promising potential in the management of hyperlipidemia, according to studies. A retrospective observational study on Chinese patients revealed that the daily intake of 10,800 fibrinolytic units of nattokinase for one year improved total cholesterol levels, LDL (bad cholesterol), and triglycerides by 15 to 17%. These beneficial effects seem to increase in individuals with a healthy lifestyle, and can be enhanced by the combination with vitamin K2 and aspirin. Simultaneously, preliminary research indicates that the combination of nattokinase with fermented red rice effectively reduces LDL and total cholesterol, suggesting a synergy between the two supplements. Another more recent study examined the efficacy of nattokinase and Monascus (a fungus) supplements on hyperlipidemia. Including 113 subjects, it revealed that taking these supplements for four months significantly improved total cholesterol levels, LDL (bad cholesterol), non-HDL, and the LDL/HDL ratio, without affecting triglycerides, HDL (good cholesterol), or carotid intima-media thickness. These results highlight the potential role of nattokinase, alone or in combination, in improving lipid profiles, although additional research is needed to confirm these effects and determine the exact mechanisms.
Posologie
Oral
6500 - 7000 fibrinolytic unit
Synergies
Combined nattokinase with red yeast rice but not nattokinase alone has potent effects on blood lipids in human subjects with hyperlipidemia
A clinical study on the effect of nattokinase on carotid artery atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia
Effective management of atherosclerosis progress and hyperlipidemia with nattokinase: A clinical study with 1,062 participants
Venous thromboses ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research has explored the efficacy of nattokinase in patients with various vascular conditions, highlighting its thrombolytic, anticoagulant activity, and its beneficial effects on blood pressure. A study assessed the efficacy of nattokinase in 153 patients with vascular diseases, divided into three groups based on their specific condition: deep vein thrombosis, superficial phlebitis, and venous insufficiency. Each group received an adapted treatment, including nattokinase. The results showed significant improvement in clinical symptoms for all patients, but the results are limited by the absence of a placebo group. Thus, these results showed effective prevention of thrombosis development, with a significant decrease in blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Nattokinase was also associated with a reduction in cardiovascular risk factors, without notable adverse effects. Another study assessed the efficacy of a combination containing nattokinase in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and edema during long-haul flights. Including 204 participants at high risk of DVT, randomized into treatment and placebo groups, the study showed that no DVT cases were observed in the treatment group, while the placebo group recorded cases of DVT and significant edema. The study concluded that dietary supplementation with nattokinase is effective in reducing thrombotic events and controlling edema in high-risk subjects during long flights.
Posologie
Orally
2000 fibrinolytic units
Synergies
Hypertension ✪✪✪✪✪
A study in hypertensive patients shows that taking nattokinase at a dose of 2000 fibrinolytic units per day for 8 weeks reduced systolic blood pressure (the highest reading) by 6 mmHg and diastolic pressure (the lowest) by 3 mmHg compared to a placebo. However, in patients with normal blood pressure or controlled hypertension, the daily intake of 2000 fibrinolytic units of nattokinase over a median duration of 3 years had no effect on blood pressure.
Posologie
Orally
2000 - 7000 fibrinolytic units
Properties
Antiplatelet/Anticoagulant
Nattokinase (NK) has attracted the attention of the scientific community for its promising antithrombotic and anticoagulant properties. As a result, numerous studies have been conducted to evaluate these effects in vitro, in animals, and in humans. Nattokinase works by inactivating plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), a protein that plays a key role in the regulation of fibrinolysis, the process by which the body breaks down blood clots. The fibrinolytic capacity of nattokinase is four times higher than that of plasmin, the main enzyme in the fibrinolysis system, with an average activity of about 40 plasmin units (CU) per gram. In an experimental pulmonary thrombosis model in rats, oral administration of NK reduced the number of clots, accelerated the clot dissolution process, and increased the amount of tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) which helps dissolve clots. Human study data also support nattokinase as a potent fibrinolytic agent. In an initial human trial, it was demonstrated that oral administration of NK produced a progressive increase in fibrinolytic activity in the plasma. Indeed, following the administration of natto bacilli to healthy adult volunteers, the clot dissolution process was accelerated and the amount of tPA significantly increased, suggesting promising cardiovascular benefit of NK administration. Even after a single oral dose of NK, fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products levels in the blood were significantly increased 4 hours after administration of NK. In addition, Natto showed excellent inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation in vitro induced by adenosine 5' diphosphate and collagen.
Usages associés
Dietary supplementation of fermented soybean, natto, suppresses intimal thickening and modulates the lysis of mural thrombi after endothelial injury in rat femoral artery
Dietary supplementation with fermented soybeans suppresses intimal thickening
A single-dose of oral nattokinase potentiates thrombolysis and anti-coagulation profiles
Hypolipidemic
Studies conducted in patients with hyperlipidemia have shown that treatment with nattokinase reduces total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides. Additionally, nattokinase has increased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).
Usages associés
Cardiovascular
Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of cardiovascular diseases and strokes. In a recent clinical study conducted on patients with atherosclerosis, daily supplementation with nattokinase decreased the progression of atherosclerosis with a significant reduction in intima-media thickness and carotid plaque size compared to the initial value before treatment. The mechanisms by which nattokinase reduces atherosclerosis are unknown. Early studies indicated that nattokinase increased thrombolytic activities. Other studies suggest that the anti-atherosclerotic effect is due to the combination of antithrombotic, anticoagulant, antioxidant, and hypolipidemic effects of nattokinase.
Usages associés
Hypotensive
Natto has been observed to have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular diseases by lowering blood pressure. In an in vitro study, it was discovered that natto contained relatively potent inhibitors that block the angiotensin-converting enzyme, a protein involved in the regulation of blood pressure. The mechanism by which nattokinase reduces blood pressure in patients suffering from hypertension is unclear. Some studies have shown that the reduction in blood pressure was independent of plasma renin enzyme activity and that the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme in the antihypertensive action of nattokinase is subject to debate. Other human research has indicated that the variation in levels of this enzyme is not significant in patients treated with nattokinase.
Usages associés
Neurological
Nattokinase is capable of degrading amyloid fibrils at neutral pH and normal body temperature, suggesting a role in the treatment of amyloid-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
Safety dosage
Adult: 2000 FU - 7000 FU
The recommended therapeutic dosage for nattokinase is 500 mg per day. This is the standard dietary quantity ingested by many Japanese people for years without side effects. In clinical trials, nattokinase has been safely used at doses of 2,000 to 7,000 FU/day (FU: fibrinolytic unit which describes the enzymatic activity to dissolve a blood clot) for up to 3 years.
Interactions
Médicaments
Antiplatelet drugs/Anticoagulant: moderate interaction
Nattokinase has thrombolytic and anticoagulant effects and may increase the risk of bleeding.
Antihypertensive: moderate interaction
Theoretically, nattokinase may increase the risk of hypotension when used with antihypertensive drugs.
Precautions
Pregnant woman: avoid
Insufficient data, avoid.
Breastfeeding woman: avoid
Insufficient data, avoid.
Contraindications
Coagulation disorder: prohibited
Nattokinase has thrombolytic and anticoagulant effects and may increase the risk of bleeding.
