Blood Thinners & Nattokinase

Ah Yes, Coumadin / Warfarin..., drugs !!!   What the heck ?   The doctor wants me to take them because I have Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib) and they fear a blood clot forming due to the ineffective action of the the top (atria) of the heart. This action could cause a stroke, and that's something I can do without.  Well, I'm always trying to figure a way to get off drugs and since I get a blood test monthly, to check the blood's viscosity, I figured I could try some alternatives and see the results.   I've known about Nattokinase for some time.  It's a potent fibrinolytic (anti-clotting) enzyme complex extracted and highly purified from a traditional Japanese food called Natto. Natto is a fermented cheese-like food that has been used in Japanese culture for more than 1000 years for its popular taste, and as a folk remedy for heart and vascular diseases. Research has shown that Nattokinase supports the body in breaking up and dissolving the unhealthy coagulation of blood. In fact, it has been shown to have four times greater fibrinolytic activity than plasmin.

Nattokinase enhances the body's natural ability to fight blood clots, and has an advantage over blood thinners because it has a prolonged effect without side effects.

• supports normal blood pressure
• prevents blood clots from forming
• dissolves existing blood clots
• dissolves fibrin
• enhances the body's production of plasmin and other clot-dissolving agents, including urokinase

Sounds good, eh?  So I decided to add one 2000 unit Nattokinase to my coumadin regimin, to see if it would have any additional thinning effect..... it may have thinned the blood slightly.   So the next step was to take one in the morning and one in the evening and cut back on my coumadin by half.   No Good, my blood thickened and the doctor busted me.   So, even with reading about Natto being better than coumadin, I decided to be cautious.   Now I am taking one Natto at night, which is supposed to be the best time to combat fibrin in the blood and taking my coumadin dose daily. 

NOTE:  if you are on coumadin or warfarin, use only Nattokinase with the Vitamin K removed.  The vitamin K can thicken the blood and counter the effect of the coumadin.

Is Nattokinase safe ?   It is very safe when used according to the recommended dosage. People with ulcers, recent or pending surgery, or recent major trauma should not take Nattokinase. Anyone who has ever had neurosurgery or ischemic stroke in the previous six months should not take Nattokinase, as well as those who have had intracranial bleeding.   Generally, people with bleeding disorders, or taking anti-clotting medication, should use this product only under the close supervision of a medical doctor.
According to one of my readers "recent heart attack survivors should not take Natto for at least a year afterwards"  Thank you reader x

Researchers have found that Nattokinase is four times more potent than plasmin, and works even more effectively than Warfarin drugs because it continues to work for long periods of time, and it doesn't produce any side effects.

If you want some links to Nattokinase, contact me and I will send them.
Best in Health to You
Rev. Joe

I was reading through some info about an european heart drug called TMZ (Trimetazidine) and it's great for increasing Ejection Fraction.  It can't be sold in the US, bureaucratic stuff, you know.   Well in the article it was mentioned that 450mg of the Ubiquinol form of CoQ10 produced similar results in increase of Ejection Fraction.  I give info on this CoQ10 in my book and where to get it.
On a personal note, I was taking 200-300 mgs of CoQ10 and I cut back due to funds.   My latest Echocardiogram showed that my EF had dropped.   I was wondering why, and then I read this research.  So I am increasing my intake again to see if the EF goes back up.   I wrote the book, but I'm still staying on top of my health and questioning what I'm doing and not doing.
I read a coaching newsletter for chiropractors and this person has a great ditty he repeats with every letter:

• What one thing do I need to stop doing?
• What one thing do I need to keep doing?
• What one thing do I need to start doing?

It is a great thing to think of when you are looking at your health care.
Thought this would be of interest to you.
Best in Health to You,
Rev. Joe

What NOW.... Is everything the heart docs been telling me incorrect ?   Well, yeah, Duh !.

This Forbidden Indulgence Could Actually Spare You a Heart Attack 

 I have to say, I read this article on Dr. Mercola's site.... earth shattering info for those of us with heart issues, and for everyone else too.  http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/02/17/dangers-of-salt-restriction.aspx?e_cid=20120217_DNL_art_2

I yam blown away, but why ?  I have a hard time believing much of what the medical establishment pushes, anyway.  Read it and draw you own conclusions.  Here's the basics

Story at-a-glance

• The Weston A. Price Foundation has warned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that plans for dietary salt restriction pose a serious threat to human health
• High-quality salt is essential for life, but in the United States it has been vilified as a cause of high blood pressure and heart disease; these latter claims have failed to be proven conclusively, as have many purported benefits of a low-salt diet
• Recent research has linked salt restriction with increased heart failure and insulin resistance leading to diabetes
• The best salt for your health is natural and unrefined, not heavily processed (which is the type used in most processed foods)

Healthy Living with Love.

Rev. Joe 

My Heart just keeps getting better.  I had my latest EchoCardiogram the other day and the Enlargement of my heart has diminished again..... Yea !  
It started out at 9.7cm and is now down to 7.5cm.   Normal is around 6.0cm.  The size measurement is taken from the interior of the left ventricle, where the blood gets pumped out into the body.  My heart muscle keeps getting stronger and shrinking the enlargement.  Just like a bodybuilder.  See Super Heart at the top of the Blog.  He's little but he's tough.

I just received some great info from Life Enhancement...
POLICOSANOL MAY BE HEART HEALTHY.... (MAY BE ???)  Well read on:


Policosanol Improves Every Measure of Blood Cholesterol
This natural extract from sugar cane is better than prescription drugs
By Will Block  Read the entire article here:   http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?id=710 

So, if you are using drugs, or Red Rice Yeast, or just worried about your cholesterol levels you will want to read this info from Life Enhancement.... WOW !

Now, Life Enhancement sells their brand of Policosanol, and I'm sure it's great... and there are some other brands, that should be at least as great, my main points to look for in this supplement are:  

get it in capsules, and get 20mg /capsule (the daily amount shown as most effective, in this article).  Some of the other brands have Red Rice Yeast, or CoQ10, and I would go for the Policosanol by itself.   You want to test the Policosanol to see how it works for you.  If you are using RR Yeast (a natural statin) or statin drugs and like them, you could add Policosanol to see if there is any improvement, should you discontinue the statins, you need to back off of it slowly.

A good source, for the other brands of Policosanol at great prices, is :

http://www.vitacost.com/productResults.aspx?previousText=policosanol&Ns=P_SoldQuantity%7c1&No=0&Ntt=policosanol&x=12&y=17&ntk=products

Oh and one more thing.... These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.... Ya Got That ???

More to Come

Rev. Joe

Well, you may or may not know, but the Wonderful FDA is still trying to take OUR Access to supplements away.  Probably so the pharmaceutical companies can only sell them as prescriptions...

Yikes... Please take action and go the site listed below:

Do you ever feel like we are all living in some sort of twisted reality that keeps repeating, day after day, like Bill Murray experienced in the 1993 movie, Groundhog Day? Read more here.
 

By now, you should bel familiar with the FDA's “Draft Guidance for Industry: Dietary Supplements: New Dietary Ingredient Notifications and Related Issues” and the threat it poses for your health freedoms.
Stand up for your Rights:

SIGN THE PETITION NOW!

What about Heart Failure and Prevention ?

Heart Failure, it could happen to you.  
What do you do if it happens ?   Have you considered Prevention ?  I was on a great supplementation program, which made my heart able to hold up to the assault.   I went on for 6 years, learning about the process and trying new things, all the while working with the medical paradigm.  The last 16 months made the greatest difference, and I kept track of my progress with Echo Cardiograms every 4 months.
I have been shrinking an enlarged heart, which no one in the medical biz ever said I could do, all they wanted to do was implant defibrillators and feed me drugs.  My heart is getting stronger and I feel better and better.  I have great energy, stamina and am reducing my dependence on drugs.  Looks like I am going to be around for a while longer.... so my new Ministry is to offer HOPE to people who are looking for answers.  I published a book titled "Miracle, How to Rebuild Your Heart" and it's available at http://www.HeartMuscleRebuild.com.   I expect this blog will address many aspects of my experience.   Looking forward to being with you.