Nattokinase is an enzyme (a protein
that speeds up biochemical reactions) that is extracted from a popular Japanese
food called natto. Natto is boiled soybeans that have been fermented with a
bacterium called Bacillus natto.
Natto has been used as a folk remedy for diseases of the heart and circulatory system (cardiovascular disease) for hundreds of years.
Nattokinase, the chemical in natto that is probably responsible for its
effects, was discovered by a University of Chicago researcher, Dr. Hiroyuki
Sumi.
You won’t find nattokinase in soy foods other than natto, since nattokinase is
produced through the specific fermentation process used to make natto.
Nattokinase is used for cardiovascular diseases including heart
disease, high blood pressure, stroke,
chest pain (angina), deep vein
thrombosis (DVT), “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), hemorrhoids, varicose veins, poor circulation, and peripheral artery disease (PAD).
It is also used for pain, fibromyalgia,
chronic fatigue syndrome, endometriosis,
uterine fibroids, muscle spasms, infertility, cancer,
and a vitamin-deficiency disease called beriberi.
How
does it work?
Nattokinase decreases the ability of
blood to clot. This "thins the blood"
and might protect against conditions caused by blood clots such as stroke, heart attack, and others.
TREATS
Deep vein
thrombosis (DVT). There is some evidence that taking a specific combination
product (Flite Tabs) might decrease the chance of getting a blood clot in the
legs during long plane flights. This product combines a blend of 150 mg of
nattokinase plus pycnogenol. Two capsules are taken 2 hours before the flight and then again 6 hours later.
Heart
disease.
Stroke.
Angina.
“Hardening
of the ateries” (atherosclerosis).
Hemorrhoids.
Poor
circulation.
Varicose
veins.
Peripheral
artery disease (PAD).
Pain.
Fibromyalgia.
Endometriosis.
Uterine
fibroids.
Muscle
spasms.
Cancer.
