An enzyme found in the traditional fermented soybean dish from Japan called natto can help unclog arteries as well as sinuses, according to a study. Natto contains nattokinase, which is an enzyme that is produced by fermenting the boiled soybeans with a bacterium called Bacillus natto. Nattokinas
( Natural News)
An enzyme found in the traditional fermented soybean dish from Japan called natto can help unclog arteries as well as sinuses, according to a study.
Natto contains nattokinase, which is an enzyme that is produced by fermenting the boiled soybeans with a bacterium called Bacillus natto. Nattokinase is well known for its strong fibrinolytic or “clot-busting” activity. This means that it breaks down a component of blood clots and atherosclerotic plaque called fibrinogen. Increased fibrinogen levels also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The study was carried out by a team of researchers from the University of Fukui in Japan who looked at the effects of nattokinase on nasal polyp tissues from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. In conducting the study, the research team analyzed pieces of nasal polyps that were incubated either with saline or natokinasse at 37° Celsius for a day. Then, they analyzed the presence of fibrin in nasal polyp tissue. The nasal discharge and sputum from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and asthma, respectively, were incubated with nattokinase insolution at 37°C for 60 minutes. This was done in order to evaluate the effects of nattokinase on respiratory tract mucus.
The findings of the study revealed that nattokinase significantly contracts the nasal polyp tissue by degrading fibrin.
