Nick NorwitzMD PhD, Oxford-Harvard | Metabolic Health Educator | “Stay Curious”

Nattokinase for Arteries: Hype or Legit?

20 Jan 2026 · 1 min

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1:02

In this video, the presenter introduces nattokinase—a fermented soy‑derived enzyme—and examines whether it can truly reverse atherosclerosis. He cites a clinical study involving over 1,000 participants who took 10,800 units of nattokinase daily for one year, reporting a 21.7% reduction in carotid intima‑media thickness (CIMT) as measured by ultrasound. While acknowledging the study’s imperfections, he highlights the promising outcome. The speaker then outlines the proposed physiological actions of nattokinase: it functions as a natural ACE inhibitor lowering blood pressure, promotes vasodilation and salt‑fluid excretion, possesses antioxidant properties, and acts as an antithrombotic by interfering with the coagulation cascade and breaking down fibrin clots. He promises a more detailed deep‑dive for viewers seeking nuance.

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Nattokinase. Everyone's talking about it, but what is it and can it actually reverse atherosclerosis? Well, in one study with over 1,000 participants taking 10,800 units of nattokinase daily for a year, there was a 21.7% reduction in atherosclerosis as measured by carotid intima-media thickness, an ultrasound of carotid arteries. Now, this wasn't a perfect study, more details on the study below, but the results are promising. And the underlying physiology of how nattokinase works is genuinely fascinating. It lowers blood pressure by acting as a natural ACE inhibitor, helping relax blood vessels and promote the excretion of salt and fluids. It has antioxidant properties, and it works as an antithrombotic, targeting the coagulation cascade, the bane of medical students' existence, helping to break down the fibrin mesh that forms blood clots. Now I know that's a lot of details, but I'll walk you through it. That was the quick and dirty. If you want the nuance that is not to be mist, check out this deep dive.