More Positive Randomized Trial Results with Nattokinase

Natto Combined with Monascus Resulted in Significant Reductions in LDL Cholesterol

By Peter A. McCullough, MD, MPH

With the advent of McCullough Protocol Base Spike Detoxification, there has been a surge of Nattokinase use in clinical practice. While the Japanese have been using Nattokinase for its cardiovascular benefits for decades, the Chinese and now western societies are learning more about its effects in the body.

Lui et al performed a prospective double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of Nattokinase, a fermentation product from soy combined with Monascus used in the fermentation product of rice.

Natto, a fermented soybean product from China, has been used for many years with rare safety disputes [10]. It contains biologically active substances like nattokinase that can improve blood lipids and vascular and fibrinolytic activity. However, an increase in blood uric acid concentration after soybean consumption has been reported in some individuals [11]. Red yeast rice (RYR) is a natural extract obtained via the fermentation of white rice with the yeast monascus purpureus mold and is widely used to reduce serum cholesterol in patients. Monascus can produce biologically active substances with hypolipidemic effects, such as lovastatin (monacolin K) and gamma-aminobutyric acid [12]. However, the toxin citrinin, found naturally in RYR, has been associated with hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity [13]. In addition, intakes of RYR failed to produce monacolins in certain subgroups of the population [9,14].

A total of 2300 volunteers were initially assessed at Jing Yuan County Hospital Traditional Chinese Medicine, and 113 eligible patients were enrolled. Patients received oral natto and Monascus capsules (975 mg twice daily, NMS (a fermented product containing Nattokinase 2500 fibrinolytic units (FUs) derived from Natto and Lovastatin 7 mg derived from RYR, NMS group); or matching placebo. Importantly this is a product a daily dose of 5000 FU of Nattokinase and 14 mg of Lovastatin. The dosing range of prescription Lovastatin is 20-80 mg a day. Nevertheless, 14 mg a day would influence cholesterol levels slightly.