Nattokinase And Your Health
Nattokinase is an enzyme produced from the fermentation of boiled soybeans with the good bacteria Bacillus subtilis. Soybeans fermented in this manner are a common breakfast food in Japan called natto, which in recent years has become more popular due to its well publicized health benefits. It contains the natural enzyme nattokinase, which has been associated with cardiovascular health.
In alternative medicine, nattokinase is widely considered as an anticoagulant and thrombolytic. Regular intake of this enzyme appears to reduce the rate of blood clotting and break down compacted red blood cells. Its absence of side effects tied to its counterparts in conventional medicine makes it a popular choice among individuals suffering from conditions of the heart and cardiovascular system.
Interferes with Clot Formation
Thrombosis, the formation of a blood clot in blood vessels, complicates cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, and often follows myocardial infarction, or heart attacks. Blood clotting takes place to stop bleeding and start the healing process. Blood clots may cause life threatening conditions, especially if the clot travels in the circulatory system, reaches the brain, and induce ischemic stroke.
Consumptions of natto soybeans have long been recommended by Japanese physicians to individuals diagnosed with heart failure and related conditions. The effects of natto on heart health are of course attributable to the enzyme nattokinase. Proponents of natto believe that this enzyme is a viable prophylactic measure for people with atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and other heart risks.
Nattokinase And Cardiovascular Health
Reduces Blood Clot Size
In addition to its anticoagulant effect, nattokinase has also been observed to display thrombolytic properties similar to other thrombolytic drugs in the market. Blood clot results from the aggregation of platelets and the formation of fibrin strands. Fibrin refers to the proteins in blood plasma that are responsible for increasing the strength of aggregated platelets.
Most thrombolytic drugs work on the principle of stimulating fibrinolyis, the process in which the fibrin strands that keep blood clots together are broken down. They stimulate the enzyme plasminogen, which denatures blood proteins, including fibrin strands, circulating in the bloodstream. It is postulated that nattokinase is also capable of raising plasminogen levels.
Normalizes Blood Pressure
Natto is a food particularly good for high blood pressure. In fact, it has become a mainstay of diet of the elderly in Japan, and has always been recommended to hypertensive patients. Not surprisingly, there is very low incidence of high blood pressure in Japan. One study that looked into the purported benefits of natto to hypertensive patients over time reported positive results.
Nattokinase remains under scrutiny, and most of the studies are conducted in Japan. Due to a growing body of scientific literature devoted to nattokinase, it has grown in popularity outside Japan in the past few years. And due to initial studies that are very encouraging, it is perhaps the most promising of all alternative thrombolytic medications.
Nattokinase – For Daily Health
Dont go without nattokinase daily.