Nattokinase

BY Muhammad Ubaid # 93639762

Nattokinase is a potent fibrinolytic enzyme extracted and highly purified from a traditional Japanese food called Natto. Natto is a cheese-like food made from fermented soybeans that has been eaten in Japan for many years. Natto is produced by fermentation by adding the bacterium Bacillus natto, beneficial bacteria, to boiled soybeans. The resulting nattokinase enzyme is produced when the bacterium acts on the soybeans. Nattokinase is valued in the alternative medicine community as a clot-buster and thinner, the properties of nattokinase closely resemble plasmin. According to Dr. Martin Milner, from the Center for Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon, have finally found a potent natural agent that can thin and dissolve clots effectively, with relative safety and without side effects." 1

Possisible mechanisms of action 7,
Nattokinase inactivates plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 and potentiates fibrinolytic activity. In other words, it could dissolve fibrin. Fibrin is a protein involved in the clotting of blood that is polymerised to form a "mesh" that forms a hemostatic plug or clot (in conjunction with platelets). Fibrin is made from fibrinogen, a soluble plasma glycoprotein synthesized by the liver. Nattokinase prevents aggregation of red blood cells.7,

Indications:-

Heart Attack (MI) 1,4,
Stroke 1,4,
Deep Vein Thrombosis 3,5,
Lowering effect on Blood Pressure 2,
Enhancement of the fibrinolytic activity in plasma.3,

Dosages :-
Adults (18 years and older):
100 mg orally B.D.in 24 hrs, with meal up to 4-8 weeks.
Contraindications:-
Blood dyscrasia, PT,APTT deranged, Thrombocytopenia, Bleeding per rectum, Upper GIT bleeding.

Adverse Reactions :-
Natto has been used safely for over 1000 years. Nattokinase appears to be safe without serious side effects based upon the long-term traditional use of this food.

Pregnancy/Lactation:-
Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Avoid use.

Interactions With Medicine:-
Enhancement the effect of blood thinning Medicine like Warfarin, Aspirin, Clopid etc, care should be taken when use concomitantly.

References:-
1.Prevent Heart Attack and Stroke with Potent Enzyme that Dissolves Deadly Blood Clots in Hours. Health Sciences Institute, March 2002.

2. Maruyama M, Sumi H. Effect of Natto Diet on Blood Pressure. JTTAS, 1995.

3. Sumi H, Hamada H, Nakanishi K, Hiratani H. Enhancement of the fibrinolytic activity in plasma by oral administration of nattokinase. Acta Haematol 1990;84(3):139-43.

4. Prevent Heart Attack and Stroke with Health Sciences Institute, March 2002.

5. Hayashi W, Nagao K, Tosa S and Yoshioka Studies on Natto Science (Natto Kagaku Kaishi, Tokyo), 1: 83-93, 1977

6. Suzuki Y, Kondo K, Ichise H, Tsukamoto Y, Urano T, Umemura K. Dietary supplementation with fermented soybeans suppresses intimal thickening. Nutrition. 2003 Mar;19(3):261-4.

7. Transport of nattokinase across the rat intestinal tract. Biol Pharm Bull. 1995 Sep;18(9):1194-6.