105: Can Nattokinase Improve Heart & Metabolic Health? with Dr. Ben Bikman

Video Description

📢 Ask Dr. Bikman’s Digital Mind: https://benbikman.com/ben-bikmans-digital-ai-mind 📢 Dr. Bikman’s Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com In this Metabolic Classroom lecture, Dr. Bikman dives into the science behind nattokinase, an enzyme derived from natto—a fermented soybean staple in Japan. Nattokinase has gained attention for its cardiovascular benefits, especially its ability to dissolve blood clots. Ben explains the enzyme’s key role in degrading fibrin, the primary structural protein in clots, and how it stimulates the body’s own clot-dissolving pathway by activating plasminogen. He compares its action to pharmaceutical blood thinners like Warfarin but notes nattokinase may work without the same bleeding risks. Beyond clot dissolution, Ben explores nattokinase’s effects on atherosclerosis. He shares clinical trial results where nattokinase reduced plaque size and arterial wall thickness, even outperforming statins in some metrics. The enzyme also appears to improve lipid profiles, including lowering triglycerides and slightly boosting HDL. Though Ben remains skeptical of LDL as a reliable heart disease predictor, these lipid changes are seen as beneficial. The lecture also touches on how nattokinase might support metabolic health. Some human and animal studies suggest the enzyme improves insulin sensitivity, possibly by activating lipoprotein lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase, both involved in fat metabolism. Rodent studies also hint at a role in reducing lipid peroxidation, potentially decreasing levels of oxidized LDL, a strong predictor of heart disease. However, Ben notes more human research is needed to confirm these findings. Dr. Bikman ends the lecture by acknowledging the limitations of current nattokinase research, such as small study sizes, inconsistent dosing, and questions around supplement bioavailability. Despite these gaps, he finds the cardiovascular evidence promising and suggests those interested might consider trying natto—the whole food source—rather than a supplement. While not a magic bullet, nattokinase offers compelling support for vascular health and metabolic resilience. Show Notes/References: For complete show notes and references, we invite you to become an Insider subscriber. You’ll enjoy real-time, livestream Metabolic Classroom access which includes live Q&A with Ben after the lecture, ad-free podcast episodes, show notes and references, online Office Hours access, Ben’s Research Review Podcast, and a searchable archive that includes all Metabolic Classroom episodes and Research Reviews. Learn more: https://www.benbikman.com Translation Notes: You can click the gear icon at the bottom of this video to auto-translate captions. For example, to translate into Polish, select Subtitles, choose Auto-Translate, then first choose English, then choose Auto-Translate again, then choose Polish.) In addition, our channel has first access to YouTube’s new, innovative “auto-dubbing” feature. The process currently supports translations from English into French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish with more to come. Click on the gear icon, then choose “Audio track” to access. #Nattokinase #HeartHealth #BloodClotPrevention #DrBenBikman #MetabolicHealth #NattoBenefits #FibrinBreakdown #Triglycerides #LipidPeroxidation #OxidizedLDL #CardiovascularSupport #NaturalSupplements #InsulinResistance #LowCarbScience #StatinAlternatives #LipoproteinLipase #HormoneSensitiveLipase #PlaqueReduction #MitochondriaHealth #BenBikmanLecture Timestamps (approximate): 00:01 – Introduction: What Is Nattokinase? 01:07 – Natto and Heart Health in Japan 02:48 – Fibrin and How Blood Clots Form 05:02 – How Nattokinase Dissolves Clots 07:06 – Activating the Body’s Natural Clot Breakdown 08:03 – Human Study: Increased D-Dimer from Single Dose 09:06 – Long-Term Study: Reduced Fibrinogen 10:15 – Reducing Arterial Plaque (2022 Study) 11:33 – Nattokinase vs. Statin: Plaque Reduction Results 13:47 – Triglycerides, LPL, and Lipid Peroxidation 15:01 – Activating Lipases & Inhibiting Cholesterol Production 16:07 – Oxidized LDL and Foam Cells 17:11 – Rodent Study: Reduced Lipid Peroxidation 18:20 – Limitations: Dose, Duration, and Bioavailability 20:04 – Insulin Sensitivity & Adipose Tissue Effects 21:17 – Should You Try Natto or a Supplement? 22:26 – Final Summary and Recommendations Ben’s favorite yerba maté and fiber supplement: https://ufeelgreat.com/usa/en/c/1BA884 Ben’s favorite meal-replacement shake: https://gethlth.com (discount: BEN10) Ben’s favorite allulose source: https://rxsugar.com (discount: BEN20) Ben’s favorite health check-up for women: https://choosejoi.co/drben15 (discount: DRBEN15) Ben’s favorite health check-up for men: https://blokes.co/drben15 (discount: DRBEN15) Ben’s favorite exogenous ketone: https://ketone.com/BEN30 (discount: BEN30) Other products Ben likes: https://www.amazon.com/shop/benbikmanphd