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