Nattokinase is Japan’s #1 Super Food for the Heart According to statistics, there are fewer cases of heart diseases in the Japanese population compared to other races. One special food native to the Japanese is said to be their secret to a healthier heart, called nattokinase.
Nattokinase is an enzyme derived from the Japanese cheese natto, a popular breakfast made from fermented soybeans. Natto is made from combining the bacteria Bacillus subtilis natto to the boiled soybeans. Nattokinase is released when the bacteria acts on the soybeans during fermentation. Research shows that Nattokinase has active fibrolytic activities, or the ability to dissolve clots. It directly and indirectly digests the protein that forms clots called fibrin. In the body, only the enzyme plasmin has the clot dissolving properties and nattokinase resembles this enzyme.
So, how does nattokinase help to keep the heart healthy and prevent cardiovascular diseases? It’s pretty simple. Because it breaks down clots, nattokinase can help prevent and improve stroke, heart attacks, thrombosis, and embolism. All of these diseases are primarily caused by clots blocking the arteries to the heart (heart attack), brain (stroke), and other blood vessels of the body. The clot prevents blood into those organs which carries nutrients and oxygen.