Benefits of Serrapeptase and Nattokinase
Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts, meaning they speed up chemical reactions in the body. Depending on your health concerns, supplementing with specific enzymes may be beneficial. Two trending enzymes which may be of interest to you are serrapeptase and nattokinase.
Serrapeptase, also known as serratiopeptidase, is an enzyme that comes from the gut bacteria of silkworms and is what allows the silkworms to break down their cocoons when they emerge as moths. Its main benefits to humans come from its anti-inflammatory properties. This enzyme reduces inflammation by decreasing the number of immune cells at the site of inflammation. It is also thought to reduce the fluid and debris that accumulate at the sites of injuries. Serratiopeptidase can be used to help treat a number of inflammatory conditions, including arthritis, heart disease, bronchitis, surgical wounds, sprains, broken bones, muscle injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome and more.
If you have trouble breathing, serratiopeptidase may help. The enzyme’s ability to thin and clear out mucus can help with conditions such as bronchitis and sinusitis. It does so by reducing neutrophils, as these white blood cells are responsible for thickening mucus. Because of this fluid-thinning ability, it is important to use caution when mixing serratiopeptidase with blood thinners, such as aspirin and fish oil.
Another benefit of serratiopeptidase is its ability to break down the blood-clotting molecule, fibrin. This can help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke by reducing the formation of blood clots. Not only can serratiopeptidase’s fibronolytic activity help prevent blood clots, it can break down fibrin-based bacterial biofilms. Biofilms act as protective barriers, shielding bacteria from antibiotics. Taking serratiopeptidase may help make antibiotics more effective. Since fibrin is the basis for scar tissue, serratiopeptidase may also be used to reduce scarring.
If you would like to supplement serratiopeptidase, it’s important that you choose an enteric-coated option to prevent it from being deactivated by your stomach acid. It is best to take on an empty stomach, at least two hours after and 30 minutes before a meal. Doses range from 10 to 60mg per day, with the most common effective doses being 15 to 30mg (20,000 to 120,000 SPU) per day.
Nattokinase is an enzyme found in natto, a Japanese dish consisting of fermented soybeans. Like serrapeptase, it has the ability to break down fibrin, thereby reducing the risk of blood clots. It has the highest anti-clotting activity of any enzyme, making it a very promising treatment for cardiovascular conditions, including atherosclerosis, deep vein thrombosis, angina, hypertension and peripheral artery disease.
This natto-derived enzyme also looks promising for improving cholesterol levels. A study found that it reduced total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while increasing HDL cholesterol. It may also reduce the plaque that hardens arteries, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.
Dosage information for nattokinase supplements is typically measured in fibrin units (FU). It is commonly recommended that you stay under 2,000FU per day. Overdosing can make the blood too thin and lead to excessive bleeding and bruising. As an alternative, you may consider adding natto to your diet to reap the benefits of this enzyme with less risk of overdose. |