I am 53 years old, former bodybuilder athlete, cholesterol at 140, low blood pressure, weight 77 kg and 1.74 cm. The Doppler ultrasound examination shows perfectly smooth carotid arteries. The angiologist told me that the condition is excellent, but added in the report “minimal intimal thickening compatible with age”. What does it mean? I read that the nattokinase enzyme is “miraculous” for the arteries: is this true?
Replies Pietro Palermo, head of the Rehabilitation Cardiology Unit, Monzino Cardiology Centre, Milan (GO TO THE FORUM)
Our arteries are comparable to pipes, inside which “encrustations” can form which in the human cardiovascular system are defined as “atherosclerotic plaques”: these, if large, can interfere with regular blood flow. Furthermore, the walls of our arterial vessels are composed of several concentric plates (or “tunics”). His examination does not reveal the presence of plaques, but only a minimal thickening of the innermost part of the vessel: it is a characteristic compatible, in fact, with age, but has no clinical significance. The factors that can deteriorate the anatomical and functional integrity of our arteries are the habit of smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, arterial hypertension, sedentary lifestyle and familiarity. So continue with sport and a good diet.
Nattokinases
Regarding your second question, «natto» is a traditional Japanese food produced through the fermentation of soybeans. From this dish it was possible to extract and purify an enzyme, or rather a protease (nattokinase), which has as its mechanism of action “the inactivation of the plasminogen activator inhibitor”. In summary, this would make plasminogen more available and free for its fibrinolytic action. Plasminogen is a protein in the blood involved in fibrinolysis, a process that helps dissolve clots. So in theory this molecule could “dissolve” and reduce the size of atherosclerotic plaque, the main cause of artery obstruction (and therefore heart attacks and strokes). But these effects were found in vitro, i.e. in the blood, and not in the human organism.
Sports and healthy diet
In fact, there are problems with the absorption of the molecule, which is degraded by the digestive system like all dietary proteins. In conclusion, nattokinase supplementation has a null effect on the subclinical progression of atherosclerosis in healthy individuals at low risk of cardiovascular disease. I add that all thrombolytic drugs are administered intravenously. I therefore believe that “miraculous” effects on the arteries cannot be ascribed to nattokinase, but only to a correct lifestyle, with sport and a healthy diet.
2024-01-15 07:15:07
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