Nattokinase

[Sb1171]

I have read quite a bit since my HA two years ago, but have only just heard of Nattokinase. It is an enzyme produced by fermenting soybeans and a bacteria that may have significant cardiovascular protective properties (among other benefits). It is freely available as a dietary supplement. Some interesting starting points for anyone interested in reading more:

webmd.com/diet/health-benef...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl...

[Blackknight57]

a word of caution. It is a blood thinner, you are probably on other blood thinners . Don’t over do it. Speak to go or a qualified person before taking it.

[Murderfan58 in reply to Blackknight57]

Thank you for the warning . I just thought it was an advertising campaign. I didn't realise some supplements where blood thinners .

[Sb1171 in reply to Murderfan58]

Sorry if this sounded like an advert - it is a generic supplement available from any number of suppliers and I am not making any recommendation or suggesting anyone should take it, just linking to articles for interest. Indeed, as there is likely no money to be made by big pharmaceutical companies by patenting it, we are unlikely to see it advertised, or incorporated into mainstream treatment. I thought that both articles (one quite easy reading, one quite technical) were both very explicit about how it works and the interaction risk, but perhaps I should have highlighted that.

[Murderfan58 in reply to Sb1171]

It's fine . I am on Gransnet and a lot of posts seen real but they are really adverts . So I am always looking at links with a jaded view. You posted as you thought it would help people . And that's the lovely thing about here people help eachother. 😊

[FestivalVibes]

Be very careful with supplements and your diet when also taking pharmaceutical drugs. I take some supplements with my Ramipril and Sertraline, but you need to do your research carefully as lots of supplements work as blood thinners, which is why they are promoted as being ‘good for your heart’.

Talk to your GP or cardiologist first as most are respectful if you want to take supplements as well … but a healthy diet and regular exercise is the best medicine for you and your heart … take care of you x

[jerry12953]

I tried Nattokinase to reduce my BP and did a thorough trial of it over a couple of months. I found it didn't make any significant difference, unfortunately.

[fishonabike]

Natto itself is a fermented soybean dish, which is part of a traditional Japanese diet.

As with many "beneficial" foods this is probably most effective as part of a whole diet rather than as a supplement. The traditional Japanese diet is very different to a standard diet here and has long been associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease.

It might be interesting to try some Natto and/or change you diet to include more fermented foods and varied vegetables. If nothing else this would benefit your microbiome........ but it might cause a bit more wind initially!

[Classof1988]

Thank you. I have heard of it and I believe we may have some at home. The PubMed article is very interesting as it is an academic paper showing research findings and so should not have the issues associated with advertising. I note the anticoagulant effect, which is important to consider when on Warfarin or something similar. I have only had two INR readings well over my parameters in over 30 years, and one of those was caused by a supplement containing Glucosamine and Chondroitin. I had no side effects from it and only found afterwards when belatedly researching that in addition to improving joint and bone health this supplement also had an anticoagulant effect. Best to always check before trying something new, but I believe there is much to be said about herbal and natural remedies.