Nobody wants to have a stroke or cardiovascular disease.
Here are signs of a stroke:
Nattokinase is one way to prevent it. This is a good example of what we call, doctorine of signatures (like cures like).
Natto (fermented soybeans) next to a microscopic image of fibrin and red blood cells.
Walnut and the brain is another good example of doctorine of signatures, a visual clue of how a food benefits the body.
I look at blood samples and often see fibrin fibers and red blood cells sticking together.
What is fibrinogen/fibrin? Fibrinogen, is a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation and converts to fibrin (fibers) to prevent excessive blood loss when there is a trauma. A relationship has been established between elevated levels of fibrinogen and cardiovascular disease, and can be a marker of prognosis (1).
What causes fibrin fibers to form in the blood? Many things can contribute to inflammation in the body and increased production of fibrinogen/fibrin. Not only trauma to the body but things that burden liver can be a culprit: Excess alcohol/sugar, yeast and fungal overgrowth, smoking, drugs/medications, etc.
How do we prevent excess fibrin formation? Liver support is a great place to start. Limit excess alcohol/sugar consumption and over medication. Focus on what the liver needs to function well, such as colorful fruits and veg, especially greens. Also see my article on supporting heart heath. There are many other botanical's found to support liver function. Milk thistle, burdock, and dandelion are good examples. In Japan, natto is commonly consumed. The beneficial bacteria Bacillis subtilis var. natto ferments soybeans, producing a chunky, slimy, enzyme rich food product. The proteolytic enzyme, nattokinase, helps to lyse (break) proteins such as fibrin in the blood (2). My personal preference is capsule form, Enzymedica Natto-K. I like that this particular formula includes other proteolytic enzyme sources such as protease and Bromelain (pineapple stem) that reduce inflammation in the body. It even contains lipase that breaks up fats and cellulase found to break up biofilms (3). I find that when people take this blend of enzymes, they have less visible fibers in the blood and greater separation of red blood cells to freely oxygenate the body.
Recommended Use: 1 capsule three times daily on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after a meal. Consult physician prior to use if pregnant or nursing.
Note: Some just take 1-2 capsule on an empty stomach at bedtime, 2 hours after eating.
Contraindications with medications:
Nattokinase is a blood thinner and said to be contraindicated, taken with other blood thinners such as Warfarin. Enzymedica Natto-K is a specialized blend of enzymes including nattokinase with NSK-SD, said to be the only form of nattokinase that does not contain vitamin K2. If taking a prescribed blood thinner consult with your doctor before taking nattokinase. Here is research about Fibringoen and Cancer:
- Sahni, A, et al. Fibrinogen synthesized by cancer cells augments the proliferative effect of fibroblast growth factor. Journal of Thrombosis and haemostatis. 20 October 2007. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1538-7836.2007.02808.x/full
- Zhen-Qiang Sun, et al. Prognostic significance of preoperative fibrinogen in patients with colon cancer. World J Gastroenterol. 2014 Jul 14; 20(26): 8583–8591.
Published online 2014 Jul 14. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i26.8583 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4093707/
-Everrett, Charles, et al. Smoking, Fibrinogen, and cancer mortality. J Natl Med Assoc. 2007 Apr; 99(4): 328–333. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2569642/
-MartÍnez-Piñeiro J.A. et al. Urinary Fibrinogen Degradation Products in Bladder Cancer. Eur Urol 1978;4:348–350. https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/473991
Here is more research on benefits of Nattokinase for cardiovascular disease:
-A single-dose of oral nattokinase potentiates thrombolysis and anti-coagulation profileshttps://www.nature.com/articles/srep11601
-Preventing elevated blood pressureFujita, M. et al. “Antihypertensive effects of continuous oral administration of nattokinase and its fragments in spontaneously hypertensive rats.” Biol Pharm Bull. 2011;34(11):1696-701. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22040882
-Effects of Nattokinase on Blood Pressure: A Randomized, Controlled Trial
-Cardiovascular disease and natto
Interested in seeing what your blood looks like? Click here to book a Naturopathic consult with Dr Jones. Or call to reserve an appointment time: 314-647-3999 To learn more about Dr Tiffanie Jones please visit: www.drtiffaniejones.com
Sources:
1. Associations of plasma fibrinogen levels with established cardiovascular disease risk factors, inflammatory markers, and other characteristics: individual participant meta-analysis of 154,211 adults in 31 prospective studies: the fibrinogen studies collaboration. American Journal of Epidemiology [04 Sep 2007, 166(8):867-879]http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/17785713
2.Sumi, H. et al. “A novel fibrinolytic enzyme (nattokinase) in the vegetable cheese Natto; a typical and popular soybean food in the Japanese diet.” Experientia. 1987 Oct 15;43
3. Fleming, Derek; Rumbaugh, Kendra P. (2017-04-01). "Approaches to Dispersing Medical Biofilms". Microorganisms. 5 (2): 15.