The Aesthetics Advisor

Marketing geniuses have positioned soy as the wonder health alternative to virtually everything. In most supermarkets, you’ll find soy milk, soy protein, soybean oil, soy lecithin and even soy soap. Unfortunately, though, many forms of soy are not necessarily as healthy as food manufacturers would like you to believe. The problem is the soy you see in all these foods is not the traditionally grown crop of Japan. In fact, the majority of soy that you find in in grocery stores is actually genetically modified (GMO), produced in a different way and doesn’t yield the same nutritional benefits. However, when you ferment soybeans you have a completely different product that boasts an entirely separate set of nutrients, which is why when it comes to soy, the safest and best way to consume it is through fermented foods like miso, tempeh or natto. So what is natto, and how can it impact your health? Let’s dig in. What is Natto? Natto is a popular food in Japan, and is made by fermenting soybean...

Nattokinase and Nattozimes are two supplements that are often marketed for their ability to support cardiovascular health. While they share similarities in name and origin, there are key differences between these two supplements that consumers should be aware of when considering which one to take. What is Nattokinase? Nattokinase is an enzyme that is derived from the Japanese fermented soybean dish called natto. Natto has been a traditional food in Japan for over a thousand years and is made by fermenting soybeans with a specific strain of bacteria called Bacillus subtilis natto. Nattokinase is produced during the fermentation process and is known for its ability to break down fibrin, a protein that is involved in blood clotting. This is why nattokinase is often marketed as a supplement that can help support cardiovascular health by reducing the risk of blood clots, to help lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation.  Nattokinase for Blood Clots Nattokinas...

Heart attack and stroke are the two most devastating and common circulatory issues we face in our time. Heart attacks are due to blockage of coronary arteries, and majority of stroke cases are due to thromboembolism. Currently there are three main categories of pharmaceutical agents used to treat or prevent ischemia issues: thrombolytics, antiplatelets, and anticoagulants.  Thrombolytics can be a life-saver in acute situations when used appropriately but have a few drawbacks: short window of opportunity for its application, the risk of intra-cranial bleeding, and the fact that they have to be administered via intravenous infusion.  Antiplatelets and anticoagulants may be used acutely or as a secondary prevention. They work by interfering with the coagulation system thus limiting the spread or worsening of the ischemia; they do not resolve the existing thrombus or embolus. It is still up to the body's own fibrinolytic system to resolve the blockage, which may or may not happen....

When it comes to improving one's health, many people turn to supplements as a way to boost their nutrient intake. Natto, a traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans, has been gaining popularity in recent years as a health supplement due to its numerous health benefits. However, it's important to understand the difference between natto supplements and natto fermented to make informed decisions about their consumption. Natto is rich in nutrients, including protein, fiber, vitamins K2 and B2, and minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium. It also contains an enzyme called nattokinase, which has been shown to have numerous health benefits such as improving blood flow, reducing blood pressure, and preventing blood clots. Natto is made by fermenting soybeans with a specific strain of bacteria called Bacillus subtilis natto. This process results in the formation of a sticky, slimy substance that has a unique flavor and aroma. Traditional natto is often eaten as a brea...

Atrial fibrillation (Afib) 1   is an abnormal, often rapid, heart rhythm that occurs when the atria, your heart's upper chambers, beat out of sync with the ventricles, the heart's lower chambers. It's a common symptom in those with heart failure or heart disease. Afib is one of the most common arrhythmias, or irregular heart rhythms, affecting more than 2 million U.S. adults. 2  While it sometimes goes away on its own, it can often become more frequent, with episodes lasting longer. Because Afib can lead to serious complications, including stroke and heart failure, 3  it’s important to know what to watch out for — and how to help prevent it. What Is Atrial Fibrillation? In a healthy heart, contractions occur about once per second at rest. During Afib, however, this increases significantly. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine: 4 “In a person with Afib, faulty electrical signals make the atria contract irregularly and much faster than normal. The atria then get out of sync ...

What is Nattokinase? Nattokinase (NK) is an enzyme derived from a traditional Japanese food called natto, and it is thought to help lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation. The enzyme is produced during natto’s fermentation process by a specific bacterium called Bacillus subtilis. In 1980, Hiroyuki Sumi, a Japanese researcher at the Chicago University Medical School, discovered that natto can dissolve artificial fibrin [ Source ]. Sumi and his team extracted an enzyme from natto that not only degraded fibrin but also a plasmin substrate. He named this novel, fibrinolytic enzyme “nattokinase”  [ Source ]. Nattokinase Dosage for Blood Clots Nattokinase dissolves blood clots by directly hydrolyzing fibrin and plasmin substrate. It converts endogenous prourokinase to urokinase (uPA). It also degrades plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) and increases the level of ...