Nattokinase

Nattokinase is an enzyme extracted from a popular Japanese food called natto. Natto is cooked soybeans that have been fermented with a bacterium called Bacillus Natto. Natto has been used for centuries as a folk remedy for diseases of the heart and circulatory system. Nattokinase, the chemical in natto that is likely responsible for natto's effects, was discovered by Dr. Hiroyuki Sumi at the University of Chicago. Nattokinase is only found in natto, but not in other soy foods, as it is produced by the specific fermentation process used in the production of natto. Nattokinase is used for cardiovascular diseases including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, chest pain, angina, deep vein thrombosis, arteriosclerosis, varicose veins, poor circulation and peripheral arterial disease. Nattokinase is also used for pain, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, endometriosis, uterine fibrosis, muscle spasms, infertility, cancer and a vitamin deficiency disease called beriberi disease.

How does nattokinase work?

Nattokinase reduces the ability of the blood to clot. This thins the blood, which could protect against diseases such as stroke, heart attack and other diseases caused by blood clots.

How effective is nattokinase?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of Nattokinase for deep vein thrombosis. There is some evidence that taking a specific combination product (Flite) may reduce the risk of developing blood clots in the legs during long flights. This product contains a mixture of 150 mg nattokinase and pycnogenol. Two capsules are taken before the flight and two capsules are taken 6 hours later.

There is also not enough scientific information on the effectiveness of nattokinase for heart disease, stroke, angina, arteriosclerosis, hemorrhoids, poor circulation, varicose veins, peripheral arterial disease, pain, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, endometriosis, uterine fibrosis, muscle cramps, high blood pressure, infertility, cancer and beriberi.

Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of nattokinase in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Nattokinase is probably safe and harmless in the amounts usually found in food. Nattokinase is a natural component of the soy food natto, which has been consumed in Japanese cultures for hundreds of years.

Nothing is known about the safety of larger medicinal quantities. Taking two doses of a specific product containing nattokinase (Flite) appears to be safe and harmless. However, it is not known whether taking more than two doses is safe.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the use of nattokinase during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to avoid Nattokinase.

Blood clotting disorders: Nattokinase appears to act like a blood thinner and could exacerbate blood clotting disorders.

Operations: Nattokinase could increase the risk of excessive bleeding during and after surgery. For this reason, you should stop taking Nattokinase at least 2 weeks before planned operations.

Interactions

Care should be taken when combining Nattokinase with the following medications:

Medications that slow down blood clotting

Nattokinase can slow down blood clotting. Taking nattokinase in combination with drugs that also slow down blood clotting could increase the risk of bleeding and the tendency to bruise.

Some medications that can slow blood clotting include aspirin, diclofenac (Voltaren), ibuprofen, naproxen and others.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of nattokinase depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for nattokinase. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

1. Cesarone MR, Belcaro G, Nicolaides AN, et al. Prevention of venous thrombosis in long-haul flights with Flite Tabs: The LONFLIT-FLITE randomized, controlled trial. Angiology 2003;54:531-9.
2. Fujita M, Hong K, Ito Y, et al. Thrombolytic effect of nattokinase on a chemically induced thrombosis model in a rat. Biol Pharm Bull 1995;18:1387-91.
3. Fujita M, Nomura K, Hong K, et al. Purification and characterization of a strong fibrinolytic enzyme (nattokinase) in the vegetable cheese natto, a popular soybean fermented food in Japan. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1993;197:1340-7.
4. Sumi H, Hamada H, Nakanishi K, Hiratani H. Enchancement of fibrinolytic activity in plasma by oral administration of nattokinase. Acta Haematol 1990;84:139-43.
5. Sumi H, Hamada H, Tsushima H, et al. A novel fibrinolytic enzyme (nattokinase) in the vegetable cheese Natto; a typical and popular soybean food in the Japanese diet. Experientia 1987;43:1110-1.
6. Suzuki Y, Kondo K, Ichise, H, et al. Dietary supplementation with fermented soybeans suppresses intimal thickening. Nutrition 2003;19:261-4.
7. Suzuki Y, Kondo K, Matsumoto Y, et al. Dietary supplementation of fermented soybean, natto, suppresses intimal thickening and modulates the lysis of mural thrombi after endothelial injury in rat femoral artery. Life Sci 2003;73:1289-98.
8. Urano T, Ihara H, Umemura K, et al. The Profibrinolytic Enzyme Subtilisin NAT Purified from Bacillus subtilis Cleaves and Inactivates Plasminogen Activator InhibitorType 1. J Biol Chem 2001;276:24690-6.