There are a number of notorious hallmarks in the fight against heart disease: cholesterol, blood pressure and C-reactive protein levels, to name a few. But while the spotlight has lingered on all of these easy-to-recognize red flags at one time or another, one serious risk factor has fallen to the wayside – and although it’s not as well known, it’s just as deadly.
Fibrinogen is a protein that originates in your liver and is responsible for your blood’s ability to clot. Obviously, adequate levels are essential – without fibrinogen, your body wouldn’t be able to heal from even the tiniest wounds. As it turns out, however, an excess can be equally dangerous, holding some disastrous consequences for your health in the long run.1
Research shows that elevated fibrinogen is as strongly linked to heart disease risk as hypertension, inflammation, obesity, smoking, chronic stress and diabetes – causing an increase in both platelet clumping and blood clot formation that can lead to heart attack or stroke.2-4 What’s worse, your fibrinogen levels naturally rise by about 25 mg/dl each decade, no matter how healthy you are – and possibly even higher, if you lead an inactive and sedentary lifestyle – which means that keeping this clotting factor in check is critical no matter where you fall on the heart health spectrum.5
Luckily, this is one struggle in which just a couple of select nutrients can make a truly dramatic difference. Primary among these is nattokinase – a natural enzyme derived from the Japanese fermented soybean dish natto. Nattokinase has the unique ability to break up fibrin, helping to dissolve dangerous clots that form on your vessel walls, and preventing the arterial thickening that accompanies atherosclerosis.6-8 Clinical research shows that supplementing with 1.3 grams of this novel enzyme three times per day can significantly boost fibrinolytic activity in your body for two to eight hours.9
Another key compound in the fight against excess fibrinogen is the antioxidant powerhouse turmeric (Curcuma longa). In one study, researchers found that patients with elevated fibrinogen levels experienced significant drops after supplementing with 20 mg of turmeric extract daily for just 15 days.10 Later research confirmed this clinical benefit – and also demonstrated a marked decrease in artery-clogging lipid peroxidation, which plays an equally vital role in heart disease prevention.11
Together, these two natural compounds – Turmeric Extract and Natto 3X – are both available through Vitamin Research Products and comprise one of the safest and most effective natural clot-busting combinations you’ll find.
You should avoid supplementing with nattokinase if you’re diagnosed with a bleeding disorder (such as hemophilia) or suffer from other bleeding conditions, such as ulcers, recent surgeries or traumas. And if you’re already taking drugs such as Coumadin or Heparin, be sure to talk with your doctor before adding nattokinase or any blood-thinning natural product to your daily regimen.
References:
1. Goodman E, Dolan LM, Morrison JA, Daniels SR. Factor analysis of clustered cardiovascular risks in adolescence: obesity is the predominant correlate of risk among youth. Circulation. 2005 Apr 19;111(15):1970-7.
2. Clays, E. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, September 2005; vol 47: pp 878- 883. News release, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
3. Kannel W. B., Wolf P. A., Castelli W. P., D’Agostino R. B. Fibrinogen and risk of cardiovascular disease. The Framingham Study Vol. Vol. 258 No. 9, September 4, 1987.
4. Heinrich, J. et al. "Fibrinogen and factor VII in the prediction of coronary risk." Arterioscler Thromb 1994, 14:54-59.
5. Hager, K. et al. "Fibrinogen and Aging." Aging (Milano) 1994, 6:133-38.
6. Fujita M, Hong K, Ito Y, et al. Thrombolytic effect of nattokinase on a chemically induced thrombosis model in a rat. Biol Pharm Bull 1995;18:1387-91.
7. Suzuki Y, Kondo K, Matsumoto Y, et al. Dietary supplementation of fermented soybean, natto, suppresses intimal thickening and modulates the lysis of mural thrombi after endothelial injury in rat femoral artery. Life Sci 2003;73:1289-98.
8. Suzuki Y, Kondo K, Ichise, H, et al. Dietary supplementation with fermented soybeans suppresses intimal thickening. Nutrition 2003;19:261-4.
9. Urano T, Ihara H, Umemura K, et al. The Profibrinolytic Enzyme Subtilisin NAT Purified from Bacillus subtilis Cleaves and Inactivates Plasminogen ctivator InhibitorType 1. J Biol Chem 2001;276:24690-6.
10, Ramirez-Bosca A, Soler A, Carrion-Guiterrez MA, Mira DP, Zapata JP, Diaz-Alperi J, Bernd A, Almagro EQ, and Miquel J. An hydroalcoholic extract of Curcuma longa lowers the abnormally high falues of human-plasma fibrinogen. Mech Aging Dev. 2000; 114:207-220.
11. Miquel J, Bernd A, Sempere JM, Diaz-Alperi J, Ramirez A. The curcuma antioxidants: pharmacological effects and prospects for future clinical use. A review. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2002 Feb;34(1):37-46.