Does Nattokinase Help Really Prevent Blood Clots or Lower Blood Pressure?

(HealthNewsDigest.com) – White Plains, New York – June 23, 2016 – Nattokinase is an enzyme derived from fermented soybean which is promoted to reduce the risk of blood clots and lower blood pressure. But does the clinical evidence support these uses? And which nattokinase supplements actually provide the enzymatic activity claimed on labels? To answer these questions, ConsumerLab.com recently reviewed the clinical evidence and purchased nattokinase supplements, testing them to see whether they contained their expected amounts of enzyme activity – a measure of potency. Tablets were tested for their ability to properly break apart (disintegrate) in solution.

Although most of the nattokinase supplements contained what they claimed, ConsumerLab.com found one product contained just 70% of its listed amount of enzyme activity. Another product only listed the amount of nattokinase in milligrams rather than enzyme activity units, which, while not required by the FDA, is important to know since not all nattokinase is equally active.

Nattokinase can be quite expensive, but ConsumerLab.com found that by comparing products you can save over 75% in cost. Among products which were Approved for Quality by ConsumerLab.com (including two products tested through CL’s voluntary Quality Certification Program), it found the cost to get the same amount of enzyme activity ranged from just 27 cents to over $1.

Some preliminary research shows nattokinase may decrease clotting factors in the blood, however, long-term studies are needed to determine whether it reduces the incidence of blood clots. There are few studies on nattokinase for blood pressure, although the available research suggests a modest benefit.

ConsumerLab.com’s Nattokinase Supplements Review is now available online at https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/nattokinase-supplement-review/nattokinase/. The report summarizes the clinical evidence regarding the use of nattokinase. It also discusses dosage, potential side-effects, allergic reactions, and drug interactions. Tests and comparisons are included for the following eleven products, nine of which were selected for testing by ConsumerLab.com and two which were tested through CL’s voluntary Quality Certification Program (also listed is one product similar to one which passed testing but is sold under a different brand name): Arthur Andrew Medical Nattovéna, Dr. David Williams Nattokinase, Enzymedica Natto-K, Healthy Origins Nattokinase, KAL Nattokinase, Natural Factors Nattokinase, NOW Nattokinase, Ortho Molecular Products Nattokinase, Puritan’s Pride Nattokinase, Solgar Nattokinase Complex, The Vitamin Shoppe Nattokinase with Rutin, and Vitamin World Nattokinase.

Founded in 1999, ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. Membership to ConsumerLab.com is available online and provides immediate access to reviews of more than 1,000 products from over 400 brands. The company is privately held and based in Westchester, New York. It has no ownership from, or interest in, companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products.

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