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...

1. What Causes Coronary Artery Disease? Coronary artery disease is caused by atherosclerosis which narrows the coronary arteries. Atherosclerosis the process in which deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium and other substances build up in the lining of an artery. This build-up is called the plaque. If the plaques grow large enough they can reduce the blood flow through the artery. But what is more dangerous is that because of the turbulent blood flow created by the plaque, cuts into the inner lining of the artery occur and blood clots form. The blood clots can occlude the artery of break off ane travel to another part of the body. With a diminished blood supply, the heart muscle cannot function and thus the person will experience angina chest pain and shortness of breath. Initially it is only when the patient exerts himself, but as the narrowing of the coronary artery progresses, the pain will even occur when the patient is at rest.  Total occlu...

Sulforaphane, a natural chemical found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, could potentially revolutionize the treatment of stroke. Researchers from the Heart Research Institute (HRI) in Australia have found that a common vegetable eaten by millions every day may be able to prevent and treat a leading cause of death worldwide. S_DEREVIANKO / GETTY IMAGES The study, published in the journal ACS Central Science , shows results from a three-year investigation into how a natural chemical found in broccoli can help dissolve blood clots and improve the action of a common clot-busting drug used to treat an acute ischemic stroke. Current Stroke Treatment Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States suffers a stroke. In 2021, strokes accounted for one in every six deaths from cardiovascular disease. There are two types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is obstructed by a clot, while a hemorrhagic stroke results when a we...

Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the U.S., killing one person every 33 seconds ( CDC 2023 ). Your diet plays a prominent role in your heart health, but the role of individual micronutrients continues to be debated.  Oxidized blood lipids refer to fats in the bloodstream that have undergone oxidation, a process in which molecules lose electrons. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, commonly known as “bad” cholesterol, can become oxidized due to various factors, including smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high levels of other reactive substances in the body. When LDL cholesterol is oxidized, it can contribute to plaque formation in the arteries. This plaque can narrow the arteries and restrict blood flow, leading to atherosclerosis, which is the thickening or hardening of the arteries and can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. While nutraceuticals—products obtained from foods with beneficial health effects—may help lower biomarkers for heart ...