Is nattokinase a safe alternative to warfarin?

An enzyme called nattokinase can be extracted from natto, a vegetable cheese-like food that is popular in Japan.

Research in the lab confirms that nattokinase has an anticoagulant effect.

But…

nattokinase has not been studied in humans requiring anticoagulant therapy, and the correct dose is not known.

Contrary to the misleading information provided by a chef at the website called About.com, no data support the statement, “eating natto can prevent heart attacks and strokes.”

It costs about $1.50 per day to take the “recommended” dose of 100 mg. People willing to pay this much for an unproven drug give up their right to complain about the high cost of conventional medicine.

12/15/06 20:36 JR