Nattokinase for Long Covid?

In a recent blog post I covered research showing that the spike protein component of the SARSCOV2 virus is persisting in people’s bodies long after both infection and vaccination, and potentially causing a range of health problems. One of the promising natural potential antidotes to this is a product called Nattokinase, which is an enzyme that is derived from natto, a traditional Japanese fermented soybean dish.

Nattokinase is a serine protease enzyme, which means it breaks down proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids. Nattokinase has been found to have a variety of potential health benefits, including improving blood flow, reducing blood clots, and lowering blood pressure. It is often used as a dietary supplement and is believed to have properties that can improve heart health and circulation.

In particular, nattokinase has been shown to have a relatively high selectivity for breaking down fibrin, a protein that is involved in blood clotting. This means that nattokinase can help to break down blood clots without affecting healthy tissue.

One reason for this selectivity may be due to the unique structure of the fibrin molecule. Fibrin has a specific sequence of amino acids that nattokinase recognizes and can break down. Healthy tissue, on the other hand, has a different protein structure that nattokinase is less likely to recognize and break down.

On top of the cardiovascular benefits, 2 pieces of recent research have shown that nattokinase may also have the ability to degrade SARSCOV2 spike proteins.

A 2021 study showed that nattokinase degraded the receptor binding part of the spike protein, and a 2022 study showed that it degraded spike protein in a dose and time-dependent manner. Both pieces of research were ‘in vitro’ (in a lab setting), so more real world testing in humans is needed.

People have been taking nattokinase for its cardiovascular benefits for some time and various formulations are available. Anyone considering taking a nannokinase supplement should note that they should look for one with an enteric coating that stops the enzyme itself getting broken down by the stomach.

As for dosage, previous research has shown that a daily dose of around 2,000 FU (fibrinolytic units) may be effective for improving cardiovascular health. Another study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology investigated the effects of nattokinase on blood viscosity in healthy adults. The study used a dose of 2,000 FU of nattokinase per day for two weeks and found that it significantly decreased blood viscosity.

As always, anyone considering trying nattokinase should speak to their doctor first. In particular, as nattokinase has a proven blood-thinning effect, people on blood-thinning medication (e.g. Warfarin) need to be very careful.

In addition to nattokinase, there are another three natural supplements that have shown some ability to stop viruses entering cells by interacting with the spike proteins of viruses. 

1. Quercetin - Found in fruit and vegetables and Green Tea.

2. Curcumin - Found in Turmeric.

3. EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate) - Found in Green Tea.

While these studies suggest that quercetin, curcumin, and EGCG have the potential to stop viral entry into cells, it is important to note that further research is needed to confirm their antiviral effects in humans.

Cliff Russell, Registered Osteopath

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Osteostudio East Grinstead.