Nattokinase: Uses, Health Benefits, and Risks

Consumed as a traditional Japanese food for thousands of years, “Natto” is derived from soybeans, which are fermented by a specific strain of bacteria. Think of the same ways in which traditional “gut-friendly” foods like sauerkraut and ‘sprouted’ breads are fermented to make them more digestible and nutritious. 

In this same sense, “Natto” is fermented for these reasons, but a specific enzyme within Natto was identified as having the ability to break down fibrin proteins (that cause blood clots) and thus named “nattokinase.” 

Nattokinase has become a bit of a trend in recent years for this reason, but even as a preventative measure against cardiovascular disease (CKD), it shows a ton of promise. 

What Is Nattokinase?

Fermented foods have become increasingly popular as more people investigate the benefits of making them part of their diet. Natto is a Japanese fermented soybean dish that falls into that category. 

It’s an “acquired taste”, like if you combine wood smoke, a skunk, nail polish remover and maybe some fish, but it’s enjoyed and consumed in many parts of the world. But what makes it special for health purposes? 

The answer is ‘Nattokinase’!

Nattokinase is a natural enzyme found in natto, which is the only food source of Nattokinase. This enzyme is produced during natto’s fermentation process by a specific bacterium called Bacillus subtilis and shows promise to be a very beneficial supplement to add to your daily routine.

Is Nattokinase Safe?

It’s a well-talked-about topic regarding how the Japanese population generally has a longer-than-average life span than other populations. 

There have been studies suggesting that high natto consumption has been linked to longevity as well as lower chronic disease rates. 

Although Nattokinase is generally considered safe to consume in a supplement form, it does have its drawbacks because there is a risk for those with certain health conditions. 

For instance, Nattokinase can dissolve blood clots, so people taking blood-thinning medication may be at a higher risk of bleeding. The same can be said for those who are at risk of a heart attack or stroke and are on a daily aspirin regimen.

What the Research Says

In particular, some of these studies show that people with diets abundant in Nattokinase-rich natto have lower rates of death from heart disease. Other benefits of consuming Nattokinase include sinus infections. 

Sometimes people with chronic sinusitis may need surgery to clear their nasal passages. The use of Nattokinase can shrink blockage-causing nasal polyps and thin mucus in the nasal cavity, helping to improve airflow. 

This also helps alleviate the discomfort of pain associated with sinus infections. Scientists are also studying Nattokinase for the use in treating ‘chronic obstructive pulmonary disease’.

A daily dose of a Nattokinase  supplement was shown to be remarkably better at reducing plaque size (36.6% plaque reduction) that causes hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) compared to statin treatment (11.5% plaque reduction)  [A clinical study on the effect of nattokinase on carotid artery atherosclerosis and hyperlipidaemia] - PubMed]

Why It Might Help Inflammation and Joint Pain

Joint pain seems to hit a large majority of the population. Most MDs recommend the use of NSAIDs, which do seem to help in the short term but can have serious and long-lasting negative effects when taken too often as well. 

Nattokinase has the potential to be a healthier alternative to NSAIDs, especially with the added bonuses regarding the cardiovascular system. When combined with another food, such as ‘Red Yeast Rice’, it has the potential to reduce inflammation and reduce uric acid in the body, which, in turn, can reduce the pain associated with gout and kidney stones.

Why It Might Help for Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is known to be the leading cause of death in the world. 

Although “modern medicine” has numerous methods of addressing it, the approach to treating or managing it is relatively limited, and science tends to focus more on the treatments than on the preventative side. 

Supplemental products such as Nattokinase, due to their fibrinolytic and antithrombotic properties, can have a profound positive effect on both the preventative side as well as the treatment side of CVD.  

It also has the highest anti-clotting (fibrinolytic) activity compared to other enzymes. Recent studies have shown that Nattokinase can have major pharmacologic effects on CVD, and research has demonstrated that the use of Nattokinase has potent fibrinolytic activity, antihypertensive, anti-atherosclerotic, lipid-lowering, antiplatelet, and neuroprotective effects on the disease. It also works on the preventative side as well as for treatment side of CVD.