Adverse cardiovascular health conditions account for leading causes of death worldwide. Unfortunately, limited alternative approaches are available to control and manage heart-related conditions. The effect of specific diets – such as the Mediterranean, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and plant-based diets – on the gut microbiome and heart health has led to extensive research on the cardioprotective benefits of certain compounds in food.
Natto, a traditional Japanese food product made from fermented whole soybeans, is associated with promoting cardiovascular health and is believed to contribute to the longevity of Japanese people. Nattokinase, the most active ingredient of natto, displays various cardioprotective effects and is emerging as a promising alternative in responding to adverse cardiovascular health conditions.* This post discusses the association between nattokinase and heart health and why you should consider adding an advanced nattokinase supplement to your diet. Use the links below to jump ahead to different topics on the page.
What is Nattokinase?
In Japan, natto, or fermented soybeans, is often served as a breakfast food with rice. It is a so-called “superfood” and has a distinct smell, texture, and nutty flavor. Nattokinase is produced by the bacterium Bacillus subtilis during the fermentation of soybeans. The traditional process of fermenting soybeans to make natto uses the bacterial strain as the starter. Nattokinase was first extracted from fermented soybeans in 1987.
Natto is also a rich source of vitamins, proteins, minerals, and dietary fibers. Recent research has established that nattokinase has several beneficial cardiovascular effects, including a strong fibrinolytic activity that helps maintain optimal clot formation.* Nattokinase can also help slow down the formation and growth of undesirable clotting (thrombolytic activity), thereby promoting heart health. Additionally, nattokinase has been found to have lipid-lowering and neuroprotective effects.
Pharmacologic Effects of Nattokinase
Nattokinase is a single polypeptide chain of 275 amino acids. The following table highlights the pharmacologic effects of nattokinase that contribute to its potential health benefits.
Pharmacologic Effects of Nattokinase |
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| It helps maintain optimal clotting (fibrinolytic effect).* |
Fibrin is an insoluble protein produced in response to bleeding and helps stop bleeding by forming blood clots. Although fibrin is critical to wound healing and repair, an excess of it poses a risk of forming blood clots that could adversely affect heart or brain functions. Nattokinase degrades fibrin directly, as well as indirectly by increasing the release of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)—an enzyme that converts plasminogen into its active form, plasmin, which breaks down blood clots.*1 Nattokinase also activates other fibrinolytic enzymes, such as pro-urokinase.* |
| It helps prevent unwanted blood clots from forming (antithrombotic effect).* |
Thrombosis is the forming of a blood clot (thrombus) inside a blood vessel that can obstruct the blood flow. In an animal study, the thrombolytic activity of nattokinase was found to be stronger than that of other thrombolytic agents, such as plasmin or elastase.*2 |
| It mitigates oxidative stress (antioxidant effect).* |
Nattokinase has been reported to exert beneficial cardiovascular effects by helping to3 maintain a healthy inflammatory response.* |
| It limits lipid peroxidation and enhances lipid metabolism (lipid-enhancing effects).* |
Nattokinase’s direct antioxidant effect inhibits the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), reduces lipid peroxidation, and enhances lipid metabolism.*4 |
| It exerts neuroprotective effects.* |
The neuroprotective effect of nattokinase is associated with its ability to relax vascular smooth muscle, protect endothelial cells through enhanced fibrinolytic activity, and facilitate thrombolysis.*5 |
Nattokinase and Heart Health
The pharmacogenic effects of nattokinase promote a healthy cardiovascular system.* The following table highlights how nattokinase benefits heart health.*
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Nattokinase and Heart Health |
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| It helps maintain healthy blood pressure.* Angiotensin II, a hypertensive peptide hormone, causes the muscular walls of small arteries to constrict, which increases blood pressure. Nattokinase has been found to suppress angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) — a key enzyme responsible for the production of angiotensin II.*6 | |
| It helps maintain smooth and healthy arteries. Nattokinase’s thrombolytic activity is associated with helping to maintain smooth and healthy blood vessels.*7 | |
| It helps maintain healthy platelet activity.* Nattokinase exhibits beneficial activity in helping to maintain the optimal function of platelets in the blood.*8 | |
| It helps improve lipid metabolism. In a clinical study on the effect of nattokinase on individuals with an excess of fat or lipids in the blood, nattokinase helped maintain healthy lipid levels and lipid metabolism.*9 | |
Nattokinase As A Nutritional Supplement
Nattokinase supplements are widely used to enhance circulation.* The convenience of oral intake of nattokinase is a distinct advantage over thrombolytic agents that are injectable and might cause adverse side effects, such as bleeding.
Commercial nattokinase production optimizes fermentation conditions, including temperature, pH, and fermentation time, to maximize the yield of nattokinase produced by the bacteria. The ease of mass production of the enzyme makes it relatively inexpensive, making nattokinase an economically viable nutritional supplement.
Natto is a rich source of vitamin K2 (MK-7), an essential nutrient that inhibits calcium accumulation in the blood vessels. However, some commercial nattokinase supplements might not contain vitamin K2 when the enzyme is extracted from the natto. In a clinical study, the co-supplementation of nattokinase with vitamin K2 and aspirin exerted synergistic effects in enhancing the enzyme’s lipid-benefiting effects.*10 In a rabbit study, co-supplementation of nattokinase with red ginseng was found to benefit cardiovascular health.*11
Safety Profile of Nattokinase
Nattokinase has a proven safety profile and a long history of human consumption. Toxicology studies and several Good Laboratory Practice-compliant studies in rodents and humans have established the safety of the oral consumption of nattokinase.12
- Toxicity studies in rats: In 28-day and 90-day subchronic toxicity studies in rats at doses up to 1,000 mg/ kg/ day, nattokinase was found to be non-mutagenic and non-clastogenic.
- Toxicity studies in humans: No adverse effects were observed in humans following four weeks of nattokinase consumption at a daily dose of 10 mg/kg for 28 days.
The collective data from various studies confirm nattokinase is safe for oral intake with minimal or no toxicologic concerns.
However, limited data exist on the potential drug interactions and contraindications of nattokinase. Because concurrent use of multiple drugs is common among individuals experiencing cardiovascular conditions, it is recommended to consult with your health-care provider before including a nattokinase supplement in your diet.
Advanced Nattokinase Formulations
Nattokinase’s molecular size is too large for its oral absorption through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Therefore, it can be susceptible to chemical oxidation and subsequent inactivation in the GI tract. As a result, the targeted delivery of nattokinase through the oral route is challenging.
Various nano-delivery methods have been researched and developed to increase the stability and targeted delivery of nattokinase. Advanced formulations utilizing such delivery technologies can achieve the nattokinase’s health-promoting benefits.
Tesseract Medical Research has developed an innovative nattokinase formulation NattoGuard to support heart health.* The proprietary CyLoc® —DexKey® nutrient delivery nanotechnology enhances nattokinase’s bioavailability by protecting it from degradation during transit through the stomach and ensuring its targeted delivery at the desired point in the intestinal tract. The resulting unprecedented absorption and optimal bioavailability make NattoGuard a health-promoting reality.*
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Nattokinase Supplements
Can I take a nattokinase supplement with a prescription medicine?
The association between nattokinase and heart health is well-researched. Although nattokinase is considered safe for oral intake, its potential contraindications with prescription drugs, such as blood thinners, and resulting side effects are relatively unknown. Consult with a healthcare provider before taking a nattokinase supplement with any prescription medication.
What should I look for when considering a nattokinase supplement?
A nattokinase supplement formulated for optimal absorption and bioavailability can achieve its cardioprotective benefits.* Always look for a supplement formulation developed through advanced production and purification technologies that follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), including well-designed quality control. With Tesseract’s nutritional supplements, you can be assured of the highest-quality nutrients delivered through cutting-edge delivery systems.
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing solubility, absorption, and bioavailability, and micro-dosing a single or multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Shop products on our website and learn more about how they support cardiovascular health.*
References:
1Hsia C-H, et al. Nattokinase decreases plasma levels of fibrinogen, factor VII, and factor VIII in human subjects. Nutrition Research (New York, N.Y.) vol. 29,3 (2009):190-196. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2009.01.009
2Fujita M, et al. Thrombolytic effect of nattokinase . . . . Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin vol. 18,10 (1995): 1387-1391. doi:10.1248/bpb.18.1387
3,4Iwai K, et al. Antioxidative functions of natto, a kind of fermented soybeans: effect on LDL oxidation and lipid metabolism in cholesterol-fed rats. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry vol. 50,12 (2002):3597-3601. doi:10.1021/jf0117199
5Ji H, et al. Mechanisms of nattokinase . . . . European Journal of Pharmacology vol. 745 (2014):144-151. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.10.024
6Okamoto A, et al. “. . . [S]ubstances in fermented soybean, natto. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands) vol. 47,1 (1995):39-47. doi:10.1007/BF01088165
7Suzuki Y, et al. Dietary supplementation of fermented soybean, natto, . . . . Life Sciences vol. 73,10 (2003):1289-1298. doi:10.1016/s0024-3205(03)00426-0
8Jang J-Y, et al. Nattokinase improves blood flow . . . . Laboratory Animal Research vol. 29,4 (2013):221-225. doi:10.5625/lar.2013.29.4.221
9Ren NN, et al. Zhonghua yi xue za zhi vol. 97,26 (2017):2038-2042. doi:10.3760/cma.j.issn.0376-2491.2017.26.005
10Chen H, et al. “. . . [N]attokinase: A clinical study with 1,062 participants.” Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine vol. 9 964977. 22 Aug. 2022, doi:10.3389/fcvm.2022.964977
11Kang, Shin-Jyung, Yunsook Lim, Ae-Jung Kim. Korean red ginseng combined with nattokinase . . . .” Food Science and Biotechnology 23 (2014):283-287.
12L BJ, English JC. Toxicological assessment of nattokinase derived from Bacillus subtilis var. natto. Food and Chemical Toxicology: An international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association vol. 88 (2016):87-99. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2015.12.025
