Nattokinase: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
NAT subtilisin, Natto extract
Scientific name(s)
Nattokinase
Family or group:
Enzymes
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Atherosclerosis ✪✪✪✪✪
A retrospective observational study of 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% decrease in carotid plaque size compared with baseline measurements. These effects appear to be enhanced by a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and by limiting tobacco and alcohol consumption. However, the lack of a control group and the retrospective nature of this study limit the generalizability of its findings. Another clinical study compared the efficacy of nattokinase with that of simvastatin, a medication 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, outperforming the results obtained with simvastatin. However, clinical research involving patients at low cardiovascular disease risk found that daily intake of 2,000 fibrinolytic units of nattokinase for three years did not result in any significant change in subclinical atherosclerosis (an early stage of atherosclerosis), measured by carotid artery intima-media thickness and carotid arterial stiffness, compared with placebo.
Posologie
Oral administration
2,000 - 10,800 fibrinolytic units
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
Dyslipidemia ✪✪✪✪✪
Nattokinase shows promising potential in the management of hyperlipidemia, according to studies. A retrospective observational study of Chinese patients found that daily intake of 10,800 fibrinolytic units of nattokinase for one year improved total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol), and triglyceride levels by 15 to 17%. These beneficial effects appear to be greater in individuals with a healthy lifestyle and may be amplified by combining nattokinase with vitamin K2 and aspirin. In parallel, preliminary research indicates that combining nattokinase with fermented red yeast rice effectively reduces LDL and total cholesterol, suggesting a synergy between the two supplements. A more recent study examined the effectiveness of nattokinase and Monascus (a fungus) supplements on hyperlipidemia. Including 113 subjects, it found that taking these supplements for four months significantly improved total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol), non-HDL, and the LDL/HDL ratio, without affecting triglycerides, HDL (good cholesterol), or carotid intima-media thickness. These results underscore the potential role of nattokinase, alone or in combination, in improving lipid profiles, although further research is needed to confirm these effects and determine the exact mechanisms.
Posologie
Orally
6,500 - 7,000 fibrinolytic units
Synergies
Nattokinase combined 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 progression and hyperlipidemia with nattokinase: A clinical study of 1,062 participants
Venous thromboses ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research has explored the effectiveness of nattokinase in patients with various vascular conditions, highlighting its thrombolytic and anticoagulant activity and its beneficial effects on blood pressure.nnOne study evaluated the effectiveness of nattokinase in 153 patients suffering from vascular diseases, divided into three groups according to their specific condition: deep vein thrombosis, superficial phlebitis, and venous insufficiency. Each group received an appropriate treatment that included nattokinase. Results showed a significant improvement in clinical symptoms for all patients, but the findings are limited by the absence of a placebo group. Thus, these results demonstrated effective prevention of thrombosis development, with a significant decrease in blood pressure among hypertensive patients. Nattokinase was also associated with a reduction in cardiovascular risk factors, without notable adverse effects.nnAnother study assessed the effectiveness of a combination containing nattokinase for preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and edema during long-haul flights. Including 204 participants at high risk for DVT, randomly assigned to treatment and placebo groups, the study showed that no cases of DVT were observed in the treatment group, while the placebo group recorded cases of DVT and significant edema.nnThe study concluded that the dietary supplement containing nattokinase is effective in reducing thrombotic events and controlling edema in high-risk subjects during long flights.
Posologie
Oral
2000 fibrinolytic units
Synergies
High blood pressure ✪✪✪✪✪
One study in hypertensive patients shows that taking nattokinase at a dose of 2,000 fibrinolytic units per day for 8 weeks reduced systolic blood pressure (the higher measurement) by 6 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (the lower measurement) by 3 mmHg compared with placebo. However, in patients with normal blood pressure or controlled hypertension, daily intake of 2,000 fibrinolytic units of nattokinase for a median duration of 3 years has no effect on blood pressure.
Posologie
Oral administration
2000 - 7000 fibrinolytic units
Properties
Antiplatelet agents/Anticoagulant
Nattokinase (NK) has attracted the attention of the scientific community for its promising antithrombotic and anticoagulant properties. Thus, 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 regulating fibrinolysis, the process by which the body breaks down blood clots. Nattokinase's fibrinolytic capacity is four times greater than that of plasmin, the main enzyme of the fibrinolytic system, with an average activity of about 40 plasmin units (CU) per gram. In an experimental rat model of pulmonary thrombosis, oral administration of NK reduced the number of clots, accelerated the process of clot dissolution, and increased the amount of tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) that helps dissolve clots. Human study data also support nattokinase as a potent fibrinolytic agent. In an initial human trial, oral administration of NK was shown to produce a progressive increase in fibrinolytic activity in plasma. Indeed, following administration of the natto bacillus to healthy adult volunteers, the clot dissolution process accelerated and the amount of tPA increased significantly, suggesting a promising cardiovascular benefit from NK administration. Even after a single oral dose of NK, blood levels of fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products were significantly increased 4 hours after NK administration. Moreover, natto has shown a strong inhibitory effect on in vitro platelet aggregation induced by adenosine 5ʹ-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 anticoagulation profiles
Lipid-lowering
Studies conducted in patients with hyperlipidemia have shown that treatment with nattokinase reduces total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. In addition, nattokinase increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels.
Usages associés
Cardiovascular
Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease and stroke. In a recent clinical study conducted in patients with atherosclerosis, daily supplementation with nattokinase reduced the progression of atherosclerosis with a significant reduction in intima-media thickness and carotid plaque size compared with baseline before treatment. The mechanisms by which nattokinase reduces atherosclerosis are not known. Early studies indicated that nattokinase increased thrombolytic activities. Other studies suggest that the anti-atherosclerotic effect is due to the combination of nattokinase's antithrombotic, anticoagulant, antioxidant, and lipid-lowering effects.
Usages associés
Antihypertensive
It has been observed that natto has a beneficial effect on cardiovascular diseases by lowering blood pressure. In an in vitro study, it was found 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 lowers blood pressure in patients with hypertension is not clear. Some studies have shown that the reduction in blood pressure was independent of plasma renin activity and that the role of the angiotensin-converting enzyme in the antihypertensive action of nattokinase is a matter of debate. Other research in humans has indicated that changes in the levels of this enzyme are not significant in patients treated with nattokinase.
Usages associés
Neurological
Nattokinase is capable of degrading amyloid fibrils at neutral pH and at normal body temperature, which suggests a role in the treatment of amyloid-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
Safe dosage
Adult: 2000 FU - 7000 FU
The recommended therapeutic dose of nattokinase is 500 mg per day. This is the standard dietary amount consumed by many Japanese people for years without side effects. In clinical trials, nattokinase has been used safely at doses of 2,000 to 7,000 FU/day (FU: fibrinolytic unit that describes the enzymatic activity for dissolving a blood clot) for up to 3 years.
Interactions
Médicaments
Antiplatelet agents/Anticoagulants: moderate interaction
Nattokinase has thrombolytic and anticoagulant effects and may increase the risk of bleeding.
Antihypertensive agents: moderate interaction
Theoretically, nattokinase may increase the risk of hypotension when used with antihypertensive medications.
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
Insufficient data, avoid.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Insufficient data, avoid.
Contraindications
Coagulation disorder: contraindicated
Nattokinase has thrombolytic and anticoagulant effects and may increase the risk of bleeding.
