Retinal Vein Occlusion - Nattokinase as Possible Treatment.
This video looks at the evidence for the use of nattokinase in the prevention, or the
treatment, of retinal vein occlusions.
A retinal vein occlusion is a blockage of the blood vessel in the eye.
It's like a heart attack in the eye.
It can lead to vision impairment, or blindness.
Nattokinase is an enzyme that was only discovered in 1980.
It’s a natural blood thinner.
So how are retinal vein occlusions prevented or treated?
I looked up a medical textbook to learn more.
It said there was no proved treatment for this condition.
Puzzled, I looked up a respected medical website.
And got the same answer.
Here it mentions fibrinolytic agents as a possible solution.
Nattokinase happens to be a natural fibrinolytic agent, something that helps prevent
blood clots, and dissolve existing ones.
Nattokinase is made from a traditional fermented Japanese soy food called "natto".
It’s been part of their staple diet for a millenia.
It may be part of the reason why there’s such a low incidence of coronary heart disease
in Japan.
So what's the medical evidence for the use of nattokinase for retinal vein occlusions?
Well, a 2006 Californian study found it reduced blood viscosity.
And a 2008 Korean study concluded from human trials that it reduces blood pressure.
Reducing blood viscosity and blood pressure both help prevent retinal vein occlusions.
As to direct evidence for nattokinase and retinal vein occlusions, there's a 1994 report
in the Japanese Review of Clinical Ophthalmology.
It’s entitled “Natto diet was apparently effective in a case of incipient central retinal
vein occlusion.”
I'm unable to find this Japanese report online.
However I did find a PDF that talks about it.
It describes how taking the food natto cleared the central vein occlusion of the right eye
in a 58 year old man who subsequently recovered his vision.
Nattokinase is a supplement that can be bought in stores or online.
I looked at a popular and reliable supplement company with an extensive range to see
what they have on nattokinase.
Of all the different brands they stock, this one has the highest number of reviews.
Reviewers from around the world give this brand overwhelmingly high ratings, so it
looks reliable.
I combed the reviews here but could find only one mention of it's use for retinal vein
obstruction.
All the other reviews reported favourably instead on its BP lowering effect and improved
circulation.
If you do decide to test nattokinase, what dose is best for retinal vein occlusions?
There’s no information here, so let’s look at the dosage for lowering high blood
pressure.
Which will also help reduce your risks for a retinal vein occlusion.
Looking at the reviews left by those taking this supplement, two capsules a day, or
4000 FUs, is the dose most commonly being reported.
FU means fibrinolytic units, by the way.
It's how the strength of the nattokinase is measured.
Some users take up to six or eight capsules a day, but most find two capsules to be the
right dose in terms of controlling their blood pressure.
One user found only half a capsule a day could be tolerated.
My own tests have also shown that 4000 units, or two capsules a day, is optimal.
How did I work this out?
I measure my BP every morning and, as an experiment, took varying doses of
nattokinase.
Here I’m taking two capsules about four hours before exercising.
I then go jogging in the park, just to circulate the supplement in my bloodstream.
And I measure my BP over the next two days to see what the effect it has.
Here's a graph of my results.
I found that one capsule didn't lower my BP or control it’s rise.
But two did.
My BP dropped for a couple of days.
Taking three capsules didn't do that much more.
So taking two capsules seems to be about the right minimum dose for benefit.
As to it's safety, all the books I read said it’s safe.
One book, however, says it's a safe supplement but further down also adds it can also
increase fibrinogen levels.
I only mention this to remind myself the physiological mechanisms involved may not be
fully understood.
A reliable medical website says not to take nattokinase during pregnancy, after surgery
or with bleeding disorders.
Also, there's a solitary report that nattokinase taken with aspirin caused adverse effects
in a patient prone to cerebral microbleeds.
So it makes sense not to use nattokinase with blood thinning drugs because of the
additive effect.
Don't combine nattokinase with coumadin, warfarin, plavix, effient or other prescribed
blood thinners, nor with aspirin or any other herb or medicine that thins the blood or
prevent blood clotting.
The additive effect may lead to excessive blood thinning.
Taking 4000 FU's of nattokinase, or two capsules a day, has been proven to be
medically safe.
A 2009 Taiwanese study used this dose for two months without any adverse effects on
patients.
Take nattokinase on an empty stomach.
Finally, if you think the more conventional drugs are a safer option for retinal vein
occlusions, think again.
A 2007 study in the American Journal of Ophthalmology reports taking aspirin or
warfarin increases the risk of central retinal vein occlusion.
Go figure.
Remember what I said about mechanisms not being understood?
This just illustrates it.
I made this video because a friend of mine had a retinal vein occlusion.
He thought it was a one off thing.
Then the second attack happened three years later.
And there was panic.
As the third attack could be the one that finally causes blindness.
I hope this video helps.
Especially as conventional medicine doesn’t quite have all the answers, just yet.
For all the resources on nattokinase mentioned here, please click the link below this
video.
Good luck and thanks for watching.
Please note that I am not a doctor.
Please consult your doctor for your medical needs.
This video is not medical advice but only for educational purposes