Nattokinase is a profibrinolytic serine protease extracted and purified from natto, a traditional fermented soybean food popular in Japan. The fermentation process includes incubating boiled soybeans with Bacillus subtilis natto. The most distinctive features of natto are the sticky texture and the strong flavor. Current research suggests that nattokinase may be useful in the maintenance and enhancement of normal healthy endogenous fibrinolysis, the dissolution of the essential portion of the blood clot of thrombus

1. Maintenance of optimum functioning of the body’s fibrinolytic/ thrombolytic systems may offer decreased risk of dangerous blood clots that contribute to a variety of conditions involving particularly the brain and cardiovascular systems.

2 The International Thrombolytic Association believes that the dietary intake of natto is the major contributor to the longevity of Japanese people.

The importance of blood clotting is obvious in relationship to survival in cases of injury. But the increasing of blood can have consequences. Antioxidants are supportive in protecting prostacyclin, a prostaglandin that thins blood. Antioxidants also scavenge free radicals, which are required to activate the blood clotting effects of thromboxane.

Clinical studies have shown that intravascular thrombolytic therapy with agents such as streptokinase, urokinase and tissue plasminogen actinator(t-PA) has significant benefits in reducing the morbidity and mortality of some cardiovascular conditions. The benefits of thrombolytic therapy extend far beyond the early survival period well into a decade after the first incidence of cardiovascular ischemia caused by blood clots restricting blood flow. Although early clinical studies utilized intravascular administration of thrombolytic agents, it is now clear that some agents may be successfully administered orally and safely delivered into small intestine. They were surprised to find that this enzyme, nattokiase, has very potent fibrinolytic activity, stronger than that of plasmin or elastase, in vivo. Subsequent research has shown that nattokinase is absorbed from intestinal tract and degrades plasma fibrinogen. And as an endogenous plasminogen activator, the thrombolytic activity of nattokinase can remain for a relatively long time (about 8-12 hours).

However, since the flavor of natto is not accepted by everybody, it has difficulty in getting popular in the world market. Furthermore, it is very inconvenient that natto product must be preserved in refrigerators and eaten as soon as possible after unclosing. In order to provide consumers a better choice, health food producers have successfully extracted from natto its major effective component, nattokinase, to be easily and conveniently preserved and taken as daily health food or to be developed into anti-thrombus medication. 

1.Thrombus ：Thrombus is a blood clot that limits the blood stream, which leads to coagulation of blood. There are currently thirteen thromboplastins known, such as blood vessel injuries, slow speed of blood stream and high concentration of solute in blood. They trigger the thrombo-mechanism. After the formation of a thrombus, the human body will automatically activate the anticoagulating reaction, which decomposes the new thrombus. However, the efficacy of this mechanism reduces by age and varies individually. For people with a high fat, high protein diet, or hereditary cardiovascular diseases, their blood is more concentrated and adhesive than that of others. As a result, they have a higher risk of thrombosis.

2 . Related disease ：Many diseases are caused by the production of thrombus, such as apoplexy, myocardial infarction, cardiopathy, pulmonary blood vessel thrombus, venous aneurysms, aneurysms, hypertension, cerebral haemorrhage, cataract, dysmenorrhea, menstrual disorder, and pains in the loins and back…etc.

The Comparison between Nattokinase and other anticoagulants

1. Streptokinase is a strong antigen that could affect one’s immunity, thus it is recommended not to use it continuously for more than 7 days. Hemorrhage is one of the main complications. Other side effects are allergy, fever, cold shiver and headaches.
2. Urokinase causes allergic reactions in one’s body. Do not use it for more than 15 days. Possible side effects are nausea, vomit, poor appetite, fever, fatigue and hematura may break out.
3. Overdose of Heparin causes spontaneous hemorrhage. There will be a lack of thrombocyte after 2-14 days of treatment. Heparin may result in premature birth or embryo death if taken by pregnant women. The complications of using Heparin for 3-4 months continuously are osteoporosis and allergy. Contraindication: people with unsound functions of liver or kidney, hemorrhage, peptic ulcer, serious hypertension and pregnant women.
4. The dosage must be precise. Overdose can cause spontaneous hemorrhage. Because the effective duration is relatively long, it is used as a preventive.

Benefits of nattokinase

1. Dissolving of the thrombus：Experiments have proved that after going through the stomach and the intestines, nattokinase still retains its activity; moreover, its ability of dissolving blood coagulation is improved. Furthermore, it triggers the production of tissue plasmonogen activator, which also takes part in dissolving the thrombus. The activation duration of Nattokinase is about 8-12 hours. Thus, it is suitable for patients with long-term thrombus problems, as well as for anyone to prevent the coagulation of blood.
2. Lowering of blood pressure: Due to the thromobolytic ability of nattokinase, the viscosity of blood will be lowered down, therefore the blood pressure will also be reduced. This mechanism will reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
3. Antioxidation: The antioxidatal function of nattokinase is especially beneficial to protecting the prostate gland. The prostaglandin, secreted from prostate gland, is a useful mechanism for blood thinning. The antioxidantal function is also responsible for eliminating free radicals.
4. Mitigates or solves the symptoms of the pains in the loins and the back.
5. Prevents cardiovascular diseases.

Dosage

General dosage：
2000FU（fibrinolytic activity）/ per day
Take 700FU of nattokinase on a full stomach three times a day. For best effects, do not skip the one after dinner.

Medical treatment dosage:
4000-5000FU（fibrinolytic activity）/ per day
Take 1500FU of nattokinase on a full stomach three times a day. For best effects, do not skip the one after dinner.

Note: Recommended dosage varies individually. Please see your doctor for precise prescription.

Points for attention

1. Nattokinase is not to be taken orally with other anticoagulants.
2. Do not overdose.
3. Women who are pregnant or within three days after labor should not take nattokinase.