Endovan was recently mentioned by someone on the forum. I had never heard of it.
The jury seems to be out on this one just like everything I seem to find. After trudging around the internet it seems to me that the company that makes it is being a bit too slick with the marketing for my liking. It's also $50 for 30 day supply plus p&p to UK. My brand of cynicism often stops at the point where I might cut off my nose to spite my face so I did a bit more research on it but I do confess to a certain amount of suspicion regarding the product Endovan. The same company also make Fibrovan which they claim reduces fibroids. However, I think the main ingredient is worth a closer look.
The main active ingredient appears to be Nattokinase. I have encountered this before as natto which is a fermented soy product. There have been no clinical trials for Endovan. There have been studies into nattokinase that mostly focus on the prevention of thrombosis by thinning the blood. This does not necessarily bother me because something like Zoladex is legally prescribed and I think it's a crazy drug! Each to their own.
Natto itself is not as bad for endo as non-fermented soya products but it probably should only be consumed in small quantities due to the possibility of raising oestrogen. It sounds as though it is quite stinky and unpleasant so I'd say it's difficult to consume large amounts.
Putting this oestrogen concern to one side, I don't feel that Endovan is anything more than Nattokinase dressed up as a 'cure' with other things thrown in to make it patentable/marketable and therefore a more expensive product. Nattokinase, surprisingly, is easily available. The other ingredients are often recommended for endo by herbalists et al.
It's action seems to thin the blood so I would be wary of taking this without medical supervision. Here's a good overview altmedicine.about.com/od/na...
The claim is that it breaks down the endo. I can't find any research on nattokinase in respect of endo, fibroids etc. but there is plenty on other conditions.
Side effects appear to be:
- Blood unable to clot (if used with prescription medication)
- Bruising and bleeding
- Severely reduce blood pressure
- Nausea and dizziness
It should not be taken with aspirin or ibuprofen for instance. It is also not wise to take if anaemic or if you have low blood pressure.
Personally I would be very wary of it and would only try nattokinase with the help of my doctor.
Has anybody here had experience of Endovan, Fibrovan or Nattokinase?
Have you consulted your doctor?