How Nattokinase Shrinks Arterial Plaque 36%: NO Adverse Effects

There’s a lot of research showing arterial plaque and high blood pressure can be eased with nattokinase. If you’re looking for a natural way to support your heart, blood circulation, and even brain health, nattokinase is worth your attention.

For decades, mainstream medicine has leaned heavily on statins and surgical interventions, but these approaches usually address symptoms rather than root causes. Worse yet, many patients experience significant side-effects with long-term statin use, including muscle pain, liver damage, real increased risk of dementia, and diabetes. Rather than working like conventional cholesterol drugs or pharmaceutical blood thinners, it supports your body’s natural fibrinolytic pathways. (evidence of 300+ statin associated adverse effects here)

Nattokinase costs just pennies per day. And no drug company gets to make any money off of it.

Nattokinase SHRANK arterial plaque by 36% with ZERO adverse effects.

The study found 95.4% of patients taking 10,800 FU daily for 12 months experienced some degree of cardiovascular improvement.

The 36% plaque reduction was verified using carotid artery ultrasound. pic.twitter.com/rDeCggwgd0

— Nicolas Hulscher, MPH (@NicHulscher) August 29, 2026

“36% Plaque Reduction” Nattokinase Study Analysis

The landmark 16-year study involved administering high doses of nattokinase to participants who were observed to have high levels of lipids (e.g., triglycerides and cholesterol), a condition called hyperlipidemia. The dosage used was typically between 6,000 and 10,800 FU per day, exceeding the standard 2,000 FU dose routinely found online. Between 26 and 52 weeks (1 year), researchers found a significant reduction in carotid plaque size, with figures averaging around 36% in the high-dose group. Individual responses varied based on the type of plaque and overall metabolic health.

This reduction could lower the risk of strokes and heart attacks, potentially leading to a longer life and quality of life.

What Is Nattokinase?

Nattokinase is an enzyme produced by B. subtilis var. natto, a strain of bacteria used to ferment boiled soybeans and make the popular Japanese food natto. Nattokinase is classified as a fibrinolytic enzyme because it dissolves blood clots by breaking down fibrin, a structural protein in blood clot formation. (source) You can attempt to ferment your own homemade natto, or you can find a local source of traditionally made natto.

A more recent study found that nattokinase (NK) at a dose of 10,800 FU/day effectively managed the progression of atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia with a significant improvement in the lipid profile. A significant reduction in the thickness of the carotid artery intima-media and the size of the carotid plaque was observed. The improvement rates this time ranged from 66.5 to 95.4%. (source) And no adverse effects were reported at this high dose.

The findings were nothing short of remarkable.

Yet, this study found that a dose of 3,600 FU/day, NK was ineffective in lowering lipids and suppressing atherosclerosis progression. Could it be that consuming fermented natto as the Japanese traditionally do from their youth, totally prevents plaque build up?

Understanding Nattokinase’s “cleaning” mechanism: Fibrinolysis

Fibrinolysis is the biological process of breaking down fibrin, a fibrous protein involved in blood clotting. In atherosclerosis, fibrin acts like a mesh scaffold that traps cholesterol and calcium*, stabilizing plaque deposits on artery walls. Nattokinase works by directly dismantling this protein scaffold. Think of it as removing the rebar from concrete; without the internal structure, the clot or soft plaque becomes less stable and easier for the body to clear. This enzymatic action targets the binding material rather than just the fat itself. “Cleaning” in this context refers to dissolving these fibrin deposits to restore better circulation.

*Notice calcium is mentioned as part of the plaque deposit. That is why we do not want to supplement extra calcium as it ends up in arterial plaque leading to higher blood pressure. Doctors still erroneously recommend calcium supplements for many women. It’s complicated, but Dr. Suzanne Humphries explains it well here: Bone Density Tests, Fosamax vs Natural Help for Osteoporosis  (The take-away: with D3 with K2, and other minerals mentioned in the post, your body will direct the calcium you ingest from your food, to where it belongs, not in your heart and blood vessels.)

Difference between blood thinning and plaque reduction

Most standard man-made (synthetic) blood thinners keep the blood thin so as to prevent clots – but they do not shrink existing atherosclerosis and can have serious side-effects. Nattokinase is a healing natural fermented food and is unique because recent studies show it can actually shrink existing plaque burden. This potential for structural change sets it apart. (source)

4 Cool Mechanisms of Action: How Nattokinase Works in the Body

Nattokinase operates on multiple physiological pathways to support vascular health, going beyond simple clot prevention. This section details the biological processes that occur after ingestion. (source)

1. Breaking down cross-linked fibrin

Already touched upon above, the primary mechanism of nattokinase is its ability to slowly break down cross-linked fibrin. It closely resembles plasmin, the enzyme your body naturally produces to dissolve clots. But even greater than that direct action, nattokinase also stimulates the production of more plasmin, so it’s a dual effect where the supplement works directly while also activating the body’s intrinsic repair systems. This enzymatic activity helps break down micro-clots that can impede circulation in smaller vessels. It effectively targets the “glue” holding arterial deposits together.  (This is quite amazing and probably why there are no adverse effects!)

2. Impact on lipid profiles and cholesterol

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