Nattokinase can help prevent blood clots, lower blood pressure, and play a role in treating Alzheimer's disease. If you have difficulty swallowing pills, nattokinase may also be available in other dosage forms, such as powder. A small clinical trial of nattokinase in people without cardiovascular disease found no significant benefit in preventing heart disease. For this reason, there are no guidelines on the appropriate dosage for taking nattokinase to treat any condition.
Before taking nattokinase, contact your pharmacist or healthcare provider to help you safely achieve your health goals. In addition to reducing stroke risk factors, such as high blood pressure and blood clots, nattokinase is associated with a decrease in von Willebrand factor (vWF) in people assigned as women at birth. Nattokinase may work in a similar way to the ginkgo supplement, which is also touted for its heart health benefits. If these people also want to take nattokinase as additional protection against clots, they should check with their doctor to find out if it is safe.
The side effects of nattokinase, which is also sold as a dietary supplement to promote heart health, are generally mild but may increase the risk of bleeding. More high-quality research is needed with larger, well-designed clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nattokinase. Avoid taking nattokinase before or after surgery or if you are pregnant, as the supplement may interfere with normal blood clotting. Nattokinase is supposed to act as a fibrinolytic agent, something that dissolves blood clots and can prevent attacks of heart disease and stroke.
Nattokinase promotes post-stroke neurogenesis and the recovery of cognition by increasing circulating irisin. Nattokinase is an enzyme extracted from natto, a form of fermented soybeans obtained by boiling beans and combining them with a certain type of bacteria. Nattokinase is an extract of natto that is often made in capsules and taken as a dietary supplement that is supposed to dissolve blood clots that can cause heart attacks and strokes. To safely take natural medicines, including nattokinase, tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist about any changes in medication.
Similarly, people with conditions associated with bleeding, such as peptic ulcer and liver cirrhosis, should not take nattokinase.
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