Products that can help reduce elevated fibrinogen. Part II
What to look for on the back label.
To read Part I, go here to learn more about fibrinogen, why it is essential to look at this biomarker for CVD risk, the test to order, and where to order it.
What to do if Your Fibrinogen Level is Elevated or You Are at Risk For Blood Clots
If you read the first part of this post, you know that optimal omega-3 EFA levels, exercise, and movement can help.
You can order an omega-3 EFA blood spot test from Omega Quant to determine your level.
Additionally, consider how to manage stress in your life, whether with adaptogenic herbs or stress reduction techniques such as walks in nature, meditation, or yoga. Stop smoking and, if need be, reduce chronic inflammation by altering your diet.
These three enzymes, which I will discuss below, may be helpful, but you need to know the differences and how to read the product label.
Lumbrokinase, Nattokinase, and Serrapeptase
These are considered fibrinolytic enzymes, each with a different enzymatic activity level.
Nattokinase
Nattokinase is made from fermented soybeans, which means you can also eat natto to obtain it. However, I have been told that the smell turns most people off. Still, the Japanese have been consuming it for hundreds of years. You cannot get nattokinase from eating just any soy product since it is derived via fermentation after the soybeans have been boiled.
Nattokinase enhances the body’s natural ability to dissolve blood clots by breaking down fibrin and fibrinogen. Research studies have shown that it reduces blood clots, promotes blood flow, improves overall cardiovascular function, and reduces one’s risk of stroke.
A study using 2000 fibrinolysis units per capsule for two months showed a 9% reduction in fibrinogen in the healthy group, 7% in the CVD group, and 10% in the dialysis group.
Serrapeptase
It is also known as serratiopeptidase, Serratia peptidase, or silkworm enzyme.
While eating natto may be unpalatable to many, learning where serrapeptase is sourced may be more of a shock since it is derived from silkworms. Silkworms use this enzyme to escape the protein-rich silk cocoon.
The research indicates that serrapeptase can help people with chronic obstructive airway disease and dissolve dead or damaged tissue without harming healthy tissue.
Whereas lumbrokinase and nattokinase are shown to affect fibrin, serrapeptase is considered to aid the body in dealing with damaged tissue, promote the healing process, and may reduce the swelling associated with the damage and inflammation.
Still, some data suggest serratiopeptidase can also break down fibrin; however, this enzyme requires more research to determine this.
Because this enzyme targets dead tissue, it may also be helpful when addressing endometriosis. It may also be useful to break down biofilm, which is necessary when dealing with health issues such as candida, a staph infection, or Lyme disease.
Lumbrokinase
Lumbrokinase is extracted from earthworms. It requires using live earthworms, which are processed and purified to extract the enzyme. After a stroke caused by a blood clot in the brain, lumbrokinase has been shown to reduce inflammation and improve blood flow to the affected area. It has also been shown to reduce dangerous leg blood clots and can reduce a person’s risk of blood clots. (Perhaps this enzyme would be helpful before a very long airplane flight?)
Who Should Avoid Proteolytic/Fibrinolytic Enzymes?
If you have a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia, avoid these products. Also, anyone who has had recent surgery or any head trauma should hold off on taking them. If you are taking a blood thinner such as Warfarin, avoid these enzymes or discuss swapping one for the other with your health professional.
Tumeric, garlic, and fish oil are blood thinners, so be mindful of your supplements and work with a health specialist. Again, you want to reduce your risk of blood clots but don’t want to tip the scales too far to the other side, either.
How to Find the Right Product For You?
Research indicates that lumbrokinase, on a mg-to-mg basis, has a fibrinolytic strength 300 times stronger than serrapeptase and 30 times more potent than nattokinase.
This means that serrapeptase may be the best option for pain, inflammation, or biofilms but may not be the best choice to reduce an elevated fibrinogen level. Nattokinase may be preferable to mild cardiovascular risk and hypercoagulation, whereas lumbrokinase may be the better choice for moderate to severe cases.
What does FU on the label mean?
The label should have a number followed by FU, which stands for fibrinolytic units and is a measurement given to enzyme products. The higher the FU number, the more active the enzyme product.
However, there is a catch to this. The product label will also identify how many mg the dose is. For instance, product A may have 2,000 FU in one 100 mg capsule, and Product B may have 2,000 FU in a 10 mg capsule. This means product B has a higher potency per mg serving.
When I looked at nattokinase products, the typical dosage was 2,000 FU in one 100 mg capsule. I could only locate two lumbrokinase products on my apothecary site, one of which had the measurement as IU, not FU. There were several more serrapeptase products, but overall, the brand choices were among the nattokinase products.
Look for a product with an enteric-coated capsule to aid in the product reaching the intestinal tract. Take any of these enzyme products on an empty stomach, two hours after a meal and 30 minutes before the next meal.
Note: “May” is often used in this post and many others. In the US, we are not allowed to make any therapeutic claims about herbs, enzymes, and so forth. This is reserved for drugs, so hence the repeated usage of the word “may.”
Have you ever had a fibrinogen test?
Do you take one of the enzymes mentioned for blood clots?
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This is NOT information allopathic practitioners will share with you.
Very helpful information here… serrapeotase also great for “pocket” infections such as those in dental and diverticulitis… cysts and polyps often sacs of parasites hiding in a cocoon of biofilm, so if you use antiparasitics in combination with serrapeptase, like cracking egg shells.
Thank you for this thorough information.