[Effects of Nattokinase] From Blood Circulation Improvement to Blood Pressure Reduction, 3 Benefits of Nattokinase

Hello, I am Jinny, a pharmacist.

Did you know that in South Korea, excluding cancer, the disease with the highest mortality rate is cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease? Particularly, the mortality rate from heart disease and cerebrovascular disease increases significantly after the age of 50. According to the 2021 cause of death statistics released by Statistics Korea, heart disease and cerebrovascular disease rank 2nd or 3rd in overall causes of death in people aged 50 and above [1].
[1] Population Trends Division, Social Statistics Bureau, National Statistical Office. (2022, September 27). 2021 cause of death statistics results.

However, these cardiovascular diseases are among the most preventable health conditions compared to any other disease category. In other words, significant improvements can be made through lifestyle adjustments.

Today, we'd like to introduce a food ingredient that you can easily incorporate into your diet to promote cardiovascular health. It's called "Nattokinase," found in Japan's well-known health food, "Natto." Natto is one of the top five health foods chosen by the American health magazine, . Nattokinase, the core component of Natto, is recognized by the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety as “have functionality for improving blood circulation and regulating blood pressure.”

Moreover, it has been revealed through various studies that Nattokinase can contribute to reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. We will explain how Nattokinase offers these advantages through results of human studies.

Simvastatin is a medication used to lower lipid levels and reduce the risk of various cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Nattokinase powder is a natural ingredient that has been reported to have similar clinical results to drugs in the statin family, like simvastatin, in terms of reducing lipid levels and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases[2].
[2] Ren, n., chen, h., li, lin, y.,y., mcgowan, e., . (2017). A Clinical Study on the Effect of Nattokinase on Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis and Hyperlipidaemia. National Medical Journal of China, 97(26), 2038–2042.

According to a review article published in the SCI-level journal, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, nattokinase powder has been reported to improve blood circulation and help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

So, how does Nattokinase powder achieve these effects? It's because Nattokinase powder reduces the likelihood of thrombus formation.

A thrombus is a blood clot that forms within blood vessels. When these clots block arteries, it can lead to emergencies like myocardial infarction, stroke, pulmonary embolism, and so on. In such cases, treatment involves surgery or medication to remove the thrombus.

Nattokinase powder decreases the generation of fibrinogen, a protein that forms thrombi. According to a clinical trial conducted in 2009, where 45 subjects were given 2,000 fibrinolysis units per capsule/day for two months, Nattokinase powder was found to reduce fibrinogen levels.

The risk factors for cardiovascular diseases include not only blood clots but also high blood pressure. In fact, about one out of every three Koreans aged 20 or older is reported to have hypertension.

Nattokinase has demonstrated its ability to lower blood pressure in various studies. According to a human clinical trial published in 2008, where 73 participants with prehypertension or hypertension were involved, it was found that when they consumed Nattokinase at a dosage of 2,000 fibrinolysis units per capsule daily for 8 weeks, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased.

Today, we explored the benefits of Nattokinase powder on blood circulation and blood pressure through research. Generally, Nattokinase is a functional ingredient that can be consumed with few significant side effects. However, if you have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood-thinning medications such as warfarin, it is strongly recommended to consult with your healthcare provider before consuming it.

Additionally, since Nattokinase has properties that can thin the blood, if you have surgery scheduled, it is advisable to discontinue consumption at least two weeks before the surgery to prevent excessive bleeding.

I hope you have a healthy day both physically and mentally. This was Jinny.