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Whether or not we are concerned with healthy cholesterol, balanced blood sugar, inflammation, or proper blood pressure, experts encourage us to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system. Doing so requires a healthy diet along with regular exercise. Beyond these good habits, we are also encouraged by the benefits of dietary supplements such as heart healthy essential fatty acids and therapeutic enzymes.

While there are many products on the market that aid and support a healthy heart, few are as unique as the nattokinase enzyme.

An Accidental Discovery Provides Health Benefits for Generations to Come

Nattokinase NSK-SD enzyme is a therapeutic enzyme isolated from a traditional Japanese food known as natto. Natto is a form of fermented soy, and nattokinase is the enzyme end product of the bacteria known as bacillus subtilis natto, which feeds on the soy during the fermentation process.

Fermented soybeans have been consumed for thousands of years as health tonic in Japan, and the story of natto is often attributed to an ancient Japanese warrior known as Minamoto no Yoshiie. While preparing for battle Minamoto and his clan were cooking soybeans. They were attacked suddenly and were forced to pack their beans in straw and leave their encampment with little notice. Days later they discovered that their beans had fermented, forming a sticky consistency with a strong smell. Fed to the horses and later to Minamoto’s soldiers, it was found to be tasty. As time went on people began to eat natto for its health benefits.

Unlike the familiar enzymes that target food in the digestive tract, nattokinase is a unique protein digesting enzyme that goes beyond digestion, entering the bloodstream providing a unique benefit to heart health. Nattokinase provides support to the body’s fibrinolytic systems, those systems which ensure the breakdown of fibrin in the bloodstream, and promote healthy circulation.*

Fibrin is a protein that forms in the blood after trauma or injury. When all systems are functioning properly, this process is essential to stop excess blood loss and encourage healthy clotting. Bacteria, viruses, fungi and toxins present in the blood also trigger an inflammatory condition resulting in excess cross-linked fibrin. Excess cross-linked fibrin can circulate through the blood and stick to the walls of blood vessels.

Excess fibrin has been shown to contribute to cardiovascular issues, poor circulation and slow tissue repair. A nattokinase supplement can help enhance the proper function of the cardiovascular system, promoting the breakdown of fibrin, which in turn encourages healthy blood flow, proper clearance of waste from the body, and the optimal delivery of nutrients essential to good health.*

Studies Confirm the Cardiovascular Benefits of Nattokinase Enzymes

The nattokinase enzyme has proven beneficial time and time again in studies, including documented blood plasma tests. Nattokinase is the subject of 17 studies, including two small human trials.[i] [ii] [iii] [iv]

For the Western palate, natto is considered an acquired taste, and its sticky texture leaves a lot to be desired. However, due to the advent of encapsulation, you can receive the healthy fibrinolytic benefits of natto by taking a supplement without consuming fermented sticky soy beans. Ideally, a nattokinase supplement will include a variety of protease, lipase, and amylase enzymes known for their ability to promote a healthy inflammatory response.*

To learn more about nattokinase and cardiovascular health, visit www.Enzymedica.com.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Proteolytic enzymes have been used for the management of many differing issues, being found effective for fighting protein pathogens (bacteria, virus’, fungi, toxins), treating injuries, speeding circulation and so on. Recently, one protease in particular named serratiopeptidase has gained quite a bit of attention. Although its application has been around for quite some time in European countries, like Germany, interest has only recently increased in the United States.

The Miracle Enzyme

Serratiopeptidase’ profound achievements are now being recognized and can be found in some medications. It has even been called “the miracle enzyme”. This is such a multifunctional enzyme and it works on many different levels, addressing varying conditions. Serratiopeptidase was originally discovered in the intestinal tracts of Japanese silkworms, who used the enzyme to dissolve their cocoon.

Inflammation and Pain

One of the main areas serratiopeptidase assists with is pain and inflammation. Its use has proven time and time again to be effective in the treatment of conditions ranging from carpal tunnel, arthritis, post-operative swelling and so on.

How does it bring down this inflammation and pain? Well, it helps in this regard by speeding the recovery time of the inflamed tissues by thinning the fluids and increasing drainage, which is formed by inflammation and injury. It also helps to block pain by inhibiting the release of certain amines from the inflamed tissues.

Cardiovascular Health

Yet another remarkable quality this enzyme has is its ability to support cardiovascular health. It does so by dissolving fibrin, a protein that can excessively form in the blood, resulting in blood clotting, blood stickiness, plaque, high blood pressure and the like. Serratiopeptidase has the ability to directly dissolve fibrin, eliminating these situations from occurring. We can see that this enzyme covers a multitude of areas.

SerraGold

Enzymedica SerraGold is a proteolytic enzyme blend that contains Serratiopeptidase, or Serrapeptase, as it is sometimes called. It represents one of the most potent enzyme formulas available in the category. SerraGold has been formulated using the potent Serratiopeptidase enzyme and Enzymedica’s unique Protease Thera-blend and is intended for those seeking the highest potency Serratiopeptidase available.

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Enzymedica offers a wide range of enzyme supplements for various uses. One Enzymedica digestive product stands out from the rest: Digest Gold™.   In addition to being a top seller in the digestive category,*  Digest Gold is also a retailer favorite, winning #1 in the Vitamin Retailer Vity Awards “Digestive Support Combo” category, #1 in Better Nutrition Magazine’s “2008 Best of Supplements Award”, and #1 in the 2007 and 2008 Vity Award categories including digestive supplement, indigestion remedy and digestion remedy.

Top of the Line Potency and Effectiveness

Digest Gold™ represents the most potent digestive enzyme supplement on the market. Formulated to assist with protein, carbohydrate, fat and fiber digestion, Digest Gold contains 14 enzymes to maximize our ability to digest and assimilate food. Because of it’s high level of potency, one 1 capsule is recommended at the beginning of each meal, saving time and money.  More can be taken as needed.

Why a Digestive Enzyme?

Supplemental enzymes can be very effective to help digest and assimilate foods and ease tension from digestive issues.  Digestive enzymes can multitask in the body, however, so they are also useful for general health. When we reduce stress on the digestive system, more energy and thus more metabolic enzymes are made available to the body to support the immune system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system, nervous system, and more.

* Digest Gold and Digest are the two top selling digestive enzymes on the US market according to SPINS, a market research and consulting firm for the Natural Products Industry.

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Enzymedica’s Director of Research and Development, Maday Labrador recently sat down to explain how therapeutic enzymes differ from digestive enzymes, and what benefits can be expected from Enzymedica’s line of therapeutic enzymes.  Featured are two of Enzymedica’s therapeutic supplements, ViraStop and Lypo Gold.

Digestive Enzymes or Therapeutic Enzymes?

Most Americans are familiar with the benefit of digestive enzymes, taking a capsule or two with meals to alleviate digestive discomfort.  Our body produces thousands of enzymes, each with a unique and very specific role.  We find protease, amylase, and lipase in our digestive system, enzymes which break down the proteins, sugars, and fats in the foods we eat.  
 
Gaining popularity recently are therapeutic enzymes, which go beyond digestion, working in the bloodstream to support metabolic reactions like healthy cellular repair and immunity.  We find varieties of these therapeutic enzymes in our organs and glands, traveling through our bloodstream serving as catalysts to our metabolism, immune system, and cardiovascular activity.  
 
Therapeutic enzyme supplements are taken between meals or on an empty stomach so they can be absorbed into the bloodstream and utilized in ways other than digestion. One example is protease, a protein digesting enzyme.  Taken as a digestive aid, protease will help break down the proteins in our diet.  Research indicates, however, that when taken on an empty stomach protease may aid our body’s immune system, breaking down unwanted materials such as cellular waste.  Like protease, the enzyme amylase which targets sugars and starch and lipase which breaks down fats also have the ability to multitask in the body.  

Enzymedica’s Therapeutic Enzyme Products

Enzymedica’s ViraStop is a therapeutic enzyme supplement that uses protease to assist the body in its natural immune function.  ViraStop contains Enzymedica’s Thera-blend™ of eight different proteases chosen for their unique proteolytic abilities.  

Enzymedica’s Lypo Gold  is a therapeutic enzyme supplement that uses a lipase Thera-blend™ to assist the body in the management of healthy fat levels in the blood.  Lypo Gold can assist in the maintenance of proper lipase levels in the body, and lipase enzymes help support healthy cholesterol and maintain cardiovascular health.  

To hear more about therapeutic enzymes and how they work in other Enzymedica products, listen to Maday Labrador’s podcast on therapeutic enzymes here.

Exercise is an invaluable tool for maintaining optimal health and body function. Physical fitness can be utilized to maintain weight, build muscles and support cardiovascular well-being. Anyone who exercises knows the hard work and motivation it takes to push your body to its limits. Whether your goal is assisting the body in post-workout recovery or getting the most out of protein based diets or supplements, Enzymedica is the perfect ally to help your body combat the strain of exercise.

How it Works

Proteolytic enzymes, often called proteases (enzymes that break down protein) are manufactured naturally by the body to support the immune system. These enzymes break down foreign particles and debris, as well as accelerate the elimination of unwanted pathogens and toxins by way of the lymphatic system. Supplemental oral proteases have been shown to provide significant support to aid healthy repair and recovery.

Repair Gold

Enzymedica’s Repair Gold utilizes proteases, which work synergistically with your body’s recovery mechanisms, easing stress on your metabolic systems and aiding your innate healing processes. Repair Gold also uses the protease, Serratiopeptidase, which assists the body in tissue repair and alleviating joint discomfort. The combination of these different enzymes allows Repair Gold to aid the body in its recovery process after exercise by increasing circulation and supporting muscle, tissue and joint recovery.

Protein Optimize

Many people who exercise rely on protein either in their diets or in the form of bars and supplements. Although protein has many benefits for the during exercise, it also increases digestive demands on the body. Enzymedica’s Protein Optimize promotes the body’s protein digestion and encourages maximum nutrient availability for the processes of recovery and rebuilding.

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