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...

Today, many people are paying more attention to the nutritional values in their diet. What kind of foods are the most nutritious? In 2021, 33 Japanese registered dietitians offered their professional advice and identified the top five foods with the highest nutritional value. Nutritionist Okada Akiko compiled the following list: 1. Natto Topping the list is natto, a fermented food. It contains high-quality protein and is also rich in dietary fiber, which helps regulate the intestinal environment. Natto has rich nutritional value not only for its slimming and beautifying properties but also for menopausal discomfort. In addition, natto contains nutrients such as saponin and potassium, which can prevent high blood pressure. The lecithin in natto can eliminate fatigue, and the soy isoflavones it contains have estrogen-balancing and anti-aging effects. A 2020 study published in the BMJ involving more than 90,000 Japanese participants foun...

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 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 ...