A landmark clinical study with over 1,000 participants reveals the dose-dependent power of nattokinase to shrink arterial plaque, improve lipid profiles, and do it all without side effects.

Atherosclerosis and the Limits of Mainstream Medicine

Atherosclerosis—the progressive narrowing of the arteries due to plaque buildup—is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes. For decades, mainstream medicine has leaned heavily on statins and surgical interventions, but these approaches often address symptoms rather than root causes. Worse yet, many patients experience significant side effects from long-term statin use, including muscle pain, liver damage, and increased risk of diabetes. (view evidence of over 300+ statin associated adverse effects here)

The hunt for a safer, natural solution has brought attention to nattokinase (NK)—a fibrinolytic enzyme derived from fermented soybeans (natto). Long valued in traditional Japanese medicine, NK is now under scientific scrutiny for its potential to dissolve blood clots, reduce blood pressure, and reverse plaque accumulation.

The Study: Real-World Evidence in 1,062 Participants

Published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, this large-scale clinical study evaluated the effects of nattokinase on atherosclerosis progression and hyperlipidemia over 12 months.[1] Participants took either 10,800 FU (fibrinolytic units) or 3,600 FU per day.

The findings were nothing short of remarkable:

• At 10,800 FU/day, NK led to a significant reduction in the thickness of the carotid artery intima-media and the size of carotid plaques.

• Plaque regression rates ranged from 66.5% to 95.4% depending on individual factors.

• No adverse effects were reported at this high dose.

Conversely, participants taking 3,600 FU/day saw no significant improvement—clearly indicating that the commonly recommended dose may be too low to be effective.

This research strikes at the heart of cardiovascular disease mortality. Unlike statin drugs, which aim to suppress LDL levels without addressing arterial integrity or clot risk, nattokinase directly targets the fibrin matrix and plaque structures responsible for occlusion. It represents a root-cause approach—something sorely missing in modern pharmaceutical paradigms.

Stacking Synergy: K2 and Aspirin Boost NK's Power

Researchers also observed that co-administering vitamin K2 and low-dose aspirin (81 mg) with nattokinase produced a synergistic effect—further improving cardiovascular outcomes. This makes biological sense: K2 helps direct calcium away from arteries and into bones, while aspirin's anti-inflammatory effects may enhance NK's clot-busting potential.

Subjects who exercised regularly, avoided smoking, and limited alcohol intake also saw greater benefits, suggesting that lifestyle optimization amplifies nattokinase's therapeutic potential.

Why This Should Be International News—but Isn't

The implications of this study are revolutionary. Yet the silence from major media outlets is deafening. Why? The answer may lie in intellectual property economics.

Nattokinase is a food-derived enzyme. It cannot be patented. As a result, there’s little financial incentive for pharmaceutical companies to fund or promote research into it, despite its overwhelming safety and efficacy profile. This echoes the long tradition of food as medicine—from garlic and turmeric to fermented foods like natto—where the most healing substances are often the least profitable.

This isn't just a footnote in the alternative health movement. This is evidence-based medicine with the potential to reverse our number one killer. It's time to stop treating plaque as a lifelong sentence and start viewing it as a solvable condition.