Nattokinase is an enzyme naturally produced during the fermentation of soybeans into natto, a traditional Japanese food made with Bacillus subtilis var. natto. It has been studied for its role in fibrinolytic activity, which refers to the body’s natural processes involved in breaking down fibrin. Human research has also investigated nattokinase in relation to blood pressure and selected cardiovascular wellness markers. It should not be used as a replacement for prescribed blood-thinning, blood pressure, or cardiovascular medication.
Supports healthy fibrinolytic activity and circulation research
May assist healthy blood pressure support in studied populations
Supports selected cardiovascular wellness marker research
Nattokinase comes from natto, a fermented soybean food traditionally consumed in Japan. Natto is produced by fermenting soybeans with Bacillus subtilis var. natto, and nattokinase was later identified as one of the active enzymes of scientific interest. Modern research has focused mainly on nattokinase’s fibrinolytic activity, blood pressure effects, and cardiovascular wellness markers.
A human study found that a single oral dose of nattokinase influenced fibrinolysis and coagulation-related markers, including increases in D-dimer and blood fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products. These findings relate to nattokinase’s role in normal fibrin breakdown pathways and circulatory research, not to treatment or prevention of blood clots.
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in adults with pre-hypertension or stage 1 hypertension found that 2,000 FU/day of nattokinase for 8 weeks was associated with reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared with placebo. A later North American study also reported beneficial blood pressure changes in a hypertensive population.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials evaluated nattokinase supplementation across cardiovascular risk factors and found supportive evidence for blood pressure outcomes, while lower-dose nattokinase showed no significant lipid-lowering effect. The authors noted that more research is needed to determine whether effects vary by dose and study population.
Nattokinase may influence fibrinolysis and coagulation-related pathways, so it may not be suitable for everyone. Individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking anticoagulant, antiplatelet, blood-thinning, blood pressure, or cardiovascular medications, preparing for surgery, or managing a bleeding disorder, clotting condition, history of stroke, active ulcer, soy allergy, or any underlying health condition should consult a qualified healthcare professional before use. As with all supplements, use only as directed and seek medical advice before consuming if unsure whether this product is suitable for your individual needs.
A single-dose of oral nattokinase potentiates thrombolysis and anti-coagulation profiles
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26109079/
Effects of nattokinase on blood pressure: a randomized, controlled trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18971533/
Consumption of nattokinase is associated with reduced blood pressure and von Willebrand factor in hypertensive subjects
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27785095/
Nattokinase Supplementation and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39076715/
Nattokinase: An Oral Antithrombotic Agent for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372539/
Nattokinase: A Promising Alternative in Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6043915/
Nattokinase is an enzyme naturally produced during the fermentation of soybeans into natto, a traditional Japanese food made with Bacillus subtilis var. natto. It has been studied for its role in fibrinolytic activity, which refers to the body’s natural processes involved in breaking down fibrin. Human research has also investigated nattokinase in relation to blood pressure and selected cardiovascular wellness markers. It should not be used as a replacement for prescribed blood-thinning, blood pressure, or cardiovascular medication.
Supports healthy fibrinolytic activity and circulation research
May assist healthy blood pressure support in studied populations
Supports selected cardiovascular wellness marker research
Nattokinase comes from natto, a fermented soybean food traditionally consumed in Japan. Natto is produced by fermenting soybeans with Bacillus subtilis var. natto, and nattokinase was later identified as one of the active enzymes of scientific interest. Modern research has focused mainly on nattokinase’s fibrinolytic activity, blood pressure effects, and cardiovascular wellness markers.
A human study found that a single oral dose of nattokinase influenced fibrinolysis and coagulation-related markers, including increases in D-dimer and blood fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products. These findings relate to nattokinase’s role in normal fibrin breakdown pathways and circulatory research, not to treatment or prevention of blood clots.
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in adults with pre-hypertension or stage 1 hypertension found that 2,000 FU/day of nattokinase for 8 weeks was associated with reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared with placebo. A later North American study also reported beneficial blood pressure changes in a hypertensive population.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials evaluated nattokinase supplementation across cardiovascular risk factors and found supportive evidence for blood pressure outcomes, while lower-dose nattokinase showed no significant lipid-lowering effect. The authors noted that more research is needed to determine whether effects vary by dose and study population.
Nattokinase may influence fibrinolysis and coagulation-related pathways, so it may not be suitable for everyone. Individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking anticoagulant, antiplatelet, blood-thinning, blood pressure, or cardiovascular medications, preparing for surgery, or managing a bleeding disorder, clotting condition, history of stroke, active ulcer, soy allergy, or any underlying health condition should consult a qualified healthcare professional before use. As with all supplements, use only as directed and seek medical advice before consuming if unsure whether this product is suitable for your individual needs.
A single-dose of oral nattokinase potentiates thrombolysis and anti-coagulation profiles
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26109079/
Effects of nattokinase on blood pressure: a randomized, controlled trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18971533/
Consumption of nattokinase is associated with reduced blood pressure and von Willebrand factor in hypertensive subjects
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27785095/
Nattokinase Supplementation and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39076715/
Nattokinase: An Oral Antithrombotic Agent for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372539/
Nattokinase: A Promising Alternative in Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6043915/
