Best Nattokinase Supplement Brand: My Deep Dive into Top 4
When I wanted to learn about vascular and circulatory health, nattokinase was one ingredient that interested me. General information says nattokinase comes from fermented soy and it breaks down blood clots. But that information wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to know how it works in reality and why one nattokinase supplement brand costs $15 while a practitioner-grade brand costs $50. I wanted to know what accounted for that cost difference and whether it was worth paying that much. I ignored marketing information and read third-party results, background research, and brand information to understand the difference between clinical-grade nattokinase supplement brands and generic products. When I am paying for something, I want to get the full benefits of the ingredients.
Also, the Japan Nattokinase Association JNKA specifically warns against low-cost counterfeit products. So I wanted to find out trustworthy companies with manufacturing integrity and testing standards. Here’s what I uncovered after analyzing 4 of the top brands for nattokinase supplements.
How Does Nattokinase Work?
Nattokinase is an enzyme. It doesn’t work like a chemical blood thinner.
Instead, Nattokinase works using two pathways
- Breaks the structure of fibrin (a protein mesh that’s naturally formed when a blood vessel is stressed or damaged), thereby preventing microclots from forming
- Converts the inactive prourokinase in the body into active urokinase, which is a natural clot-dissolving enzyme.
The Western diet is pretty basic and we don’t eat a lot of fermented foods. Personally, I don’t like the sharp taste of some of the fermented foods I tried. The Japanese ferment soybean and eat it straight! That’s a No Thank You for me. But I can’t ignore the evidence behind the nattokinase ingredient either.
- A 2023 meta-analysis included 6 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving a total of 546 participants. The dosage varied from 1,200 FU to 8,000 FU per day for 60 days to 3 years for these trials. The authors found an association between nattokinase supplementation and reduction in blood pressure markers. They didn’t find lipid-lowering benefits, particularly for low doses. But these trials and sample sizes are small, and we can consider them as preliminary findings.
- A 2024 review compared non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and nattokinase. The authors found that both act on the coagulation cascade, but in different ways and have broader cardioprotective effects. But, NOACs are backed by large-scale RCTs and nattokinase on the other hand has limited preclinical results and small clinical trials.
While research studies say that nattokinase may have positive effects, the data is still limited. The oral consumption may be useful, but degradation in stomach acid is an issue. Also, manufacturing standards vary and dosage has to be highly personalized.
What to Look for in Nattokinase Supplements?
- Consult with a healthcare provider: Nattokinase is not a regular supplement that you just want to try. It affects circulatory health and it must be discussed with a healthcare provider.
- Amount in FU: Unlike other ingredients, you don’t measure nattokinase by the milligram amount. If a bottle says just that, you better choose another one because you need a supplement that shows a FU measure. The fibrinolytic unit (FU) measure shows what the enzyme does. It refers to enzyme activity. Most supplements are standardized around the dosage of 2,000 FU per 100 mg, but that depends on enzyme purity and manufacturing process. More isn’t better when it comes to nattokinase.
- NSK-SD vs generic Nattokinase: NSK-SD® is the best known branded form of nattokinase by Japan Bio Science Laboratory. Its fermented using the patented strain of Bacillus subtilis natto. JBSL has also patented removing vitamin K2 from nattokinase. So, NSK-SD is stripped of vitamin K2 and patented form is expensive. That’s why premium brands include NSK-SD and are priced differently from brands that use generic nattokinase.
- Presence of vitamin K2: Natto is naturally rich in vitamin K2. Some battokinase supplement brands remove vitamin K2 from nattokinase. Generic nattokinase generally doesn’t strip off K2. If you’re taking vitamin K2 seperately or take other types of clotting or blood pressure medication, presence of K2 is an important consideration.
- Delivery mechanism: Nattokinase is basically a protein that’s vulnerable to stomach acid. That’s why practitioner-grade nattokinase supplement brands use enteric coating. This delivery system specifically aims to reduce gastric degradation of the enzyme. You can’t expect this action from a plain capsule. Some brands provide a delayed-release delivery that takes a different route to achieve the same effect. The NSK-SD patented form is inherently stable, so many brands containing this form of nattokinase don’t focus on enteric coating or other delivery systems.
- Third-party testing: When you’re considering taking a circulatory health supplement, third-party testing is essential. Consumer Labs, for example, mentioned in its recent testing report that 3 out of 8 brands it tested didn’t meet the standard requirements. Some contained less than what’s stated on the label, while some contained so much more. Both are not what you want. A brand tested by a third party gives you peace of mind because an independent organization tested it.
Top-rated 4 Nattokinase Supplement Brands
I looked at these nattokinase supplement brands through a simple lens:
- What is the source of nattokinase?
- Does it provide standard dosage?
- Does it provide dosage options?
- What’s the brand reputation?
Pure encapsulations
Pure Encapsulations is well-known for its hypoallergenic formulations and pure promise. The brand is cautious about the other ingredients in its formulation and nothing unnecessary is added. I like Pure Encapsulations as a premium nattokinase supplement brand because it offers a vegetarian capsule and has only one ingredient. The brand manufactures supplements in cGMP facilities and conducts third-party testing.
If you care about what goes into supplements, Pure Encapsulations is a brand to watch out for. they completely avoid the use of magnesium stearate in their manufacturing process and use plant cellulose fiber for their capsules, wherever possible.
Of course, it’s derived from soy, so you need to read the allergen information before choosing a nattokinase supplement. Pure Encapsulations' formulation is free from GMOs, dairy, and gluten.
SuppCo has independently verified the safety and ingredient profile of the Pure Encapsulations NSK-SD supplement and given it a 9.50 rating.
- Nattokinase source: NSK-SD 2,000 FU/100 mg
- Price: $152.5 for 120 capsules and $82 for 60 capsules
- Serving size: 1 capsule
Pros
- Absolute purity profile
- Vegan capsules
Cons
- Premium pricing
- For long-term maintenance, it can become expensive quickly
User reviews: Users are generally positive about the Pure Encapsulations brand. Many point out that supplements from this brand don’t trigger their sensitivities.
