Enzyme
Nattokinase
Nattokinase is a fibrinolytic enzyme found in natto, a traditional Japanese fermented soybean breakfast food and home remedy to support heart health and manage fatigue. Nattokinase was first discovered in 1987 by Dr. Hiroyuki Sumi while researching enzymes that break down blood clots (thrombolysis). Researchers have since isolated the bacterium that produces nattokinase (Bacillus subtilis natto) and, using precise fermentation technology, can grow and encourage the bacterium to produce crude nattokinase, which then undergoes an extensive process of extraction, purification and filtration to deliver it to you. Nattokinase's unique fibrinolytic activity makes it a strong research candidate for cardiovascular health, particularly in supporting blood clot and blood pressure health.*
From Seed to You
We grow our nattokinase in a small fermenter (a "seed vessel"), carefully developing it until its ready for the big leagues (enormous fermenters that are up to three stories high). Our skilled team has perfected the art of extracting and purifying nattokinase for decades, maximizing the potency and therapeutic benefits and consistently delivering a superior quality enzyme that meets the highest standards for food and pharmaceutical use. In fact, our nattokinase is so good, a great many of our competitors actually use our nattokinase in their products.
But as the experts, we always save a little extra for our customers. Our scientists formulate AST's nattokinase with a special delivery system that helps protect nattokinase from the stomach acid, delivering the best product to where you need it most.
Fibrin: Healing & Balance
Think of fibrin like a scaffolding that your body forms to build and repair. Imagine you scrape your knee -- your body immediately reacts by clotting the blood and making a scaffolding out of fibrin (a thread-like protein) to hold the clot in place. This acts as a natural bandage as your body heals. Your body uses fibrin to repair internal injuries too, aiding in hemostasis, tissue regeneration, and immune defense.
But your body also has to take down the fibrin scaffolding (a process called fibrinolysis) once the building or repair is done. Your body naturally does this with an enzyme called plasmin, which breaks down the fibrin into parts the body can process. Healthy fibrinolysis is critical for managing pain, scarring and maladaptive blood clots.
Fibrin formation and fibrinolysis go hand in hand. Supplementing with fibrinolytic enzymes can help your body maintain healthy fibrin metabolism.*
Special Delivery
Experts know regular nattokinase is delicate and susceptible to the harsh acidic conditions of the stomach. So, our researchers developed a cutting-edge delivery system to increase its efficacy: they applied a polymer called MAAC to the nattokinase. MAAC is acid resistant, and helps protect our nattokinase as it passes through the stomach acid. Once it reaches the more alkaline conditions of the small intestine, the MAAC dissolves, delivering more active enzyme where it is most needed.
Wondering if MAAC is ok to put in your body? Don't stress. MAAC, or methacrylic acid copolymer, is a phthalate-free, food-grade compound used for over 50 years and deemed safe by even the most strict food safety authorities.
Why Formulations Matter
Everyone knows that chocolate and peanut butter are great alone, but that together they are better than their parts. Nattokinase is amazing, but even though our company makes it, we rarely recommend it alone. Nattokinase is best when carefully combined with other ingredients for specific purposes. Our expert formulator with over 40 years of experience in enzymes and probiotics put together formulations for specific purposes, knowing how each of their parts would interact with each other.
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Products with Nattokinase
