Will the US Cardiology community manage to improve CVD/Strokes deaths statistics to save every year over 120,000 Lives?

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The United States faces a heart-wrenching reality: cardiovascular diseases (CVD) claim the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. While medical advancements have been made, the grim statistics remain stubbornly high. Shockingly, over 123,000 lives could be saved annually if the US simply met the standards of other OECD countries. The question looms large: will the US cardiology medical community rise to the challenge and reverse this devastating trend? 

 Heart attacks and strokes, the most common manifestations of CVD, leave a trail of devastation in their wake. In 2020 alone, heart disease claimed the lives of nearly 700,000 Americans, while strokes accounted for over 140,000 deaths. The numbers paint a bleak picture, with countless families grieving the loss of loved ones and communities grappling with the economic and social impact of this epidemic. 

 The US lags behind other OECD countries in preventing CVD-related deaths. This disparity highlights a critical need for improvements in the American healthcare system. While other nations have implemented successful strategies to reduce CVD mortality, the US seems to be falling short. The reasons for this underperformance are complex and multifaceted,

but one thing is clear: change is urgently needed. 

Statistics above are very concerning as it shows that the U.S. spent twice as much than comparable OECD countries. Still the expected life expectancy is 5 years lower  Patients with CVD are often prescribed a range of medications aimed at managing their condition and reducing the risk of further complications. These medications may include:

• Statins (e.g., atorvastatin, simvastatin)

• Beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol, carvedilol)

• ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril, ramipril)

• ARBs (e.g., losartan, valsartan)

• Blood thinners (e.g., warfarin, apixaban)

  
  

While these medications can be effective for some patients, they often come with side effects and may not address the root causes of CVD. This has led to a growing interest in exploring alternative approaches, including natural compounds with a long history of use in Integrative medicine.

One such compound is Nattokinase (NK), an enzyme derived from natto, a fermented soybean food popular in Japan. Nattokinase has been used for over 2,000 years in Asia and has garnered attention for its potential cardiovascular benefits. Scientific studies, dating back to 1987, have explored its effects on blood clotting, fibrinolysis (the breakdown of blood clots and fibrin-invaded tissues), and inflammation. Notably, a toxicity study has shown that nattokinase is generally safe for consumption, although individuals with stents, pacemakers, or other electrical devices should avoid it due to its blood-thinning properties.  

Considering the mammoth size of our yearly Health budget (> 4.5 $Trillion in 2020), it’s no issue to channel sizable funds for a rigorous exploration of Nattokinase's biochemical properties. By delving deep into its molecular structure and mechanisms of action, we should aim to uncover the secrets behind its convincing cardiovascular benefits. Such meticulous investigation could pave the way for the development of new, more effective treatments for CVD.

We Decipher Scientific Studies so You don't have to!

Researches on nattokinase yielded promising results, suggesting that it may:

• Enhance blood flow and circulation

• Reduce blood viscosity (thickness)

• Dissolve existing blood clots

• Prevent the formation of new blood clots

• Lower blood pressure

• Improve cholesterol levels

  
  

 These findings should have sparked excitement among researchers and healthcare providers seeking innovative solutions to combat CVD.  

The pharmaceutical industry, driven by profit motives, often focuses on developing patentable drugs rather than exploring natural compounds like nattokinase, which cannot be patented. This raises concerns about whether potentially life-saving therapies are being ignored due to shareholders considerations. Additionally, some critics argue that the medical community, influenced by pharmaceutical companies, may be hesitant to embrace alternative treatments that challenge the status quo.  

The lack of information about nattokinase on the NCCIH (National Center for Complementary & Integrative Health) website raises questions (searching the NCCIH database returns NO results) about whether this potentially valuable information is being intentionally suppressed. This "shadow banning" of critical information could have serious consequences for public health, as individuals may be unaware of alternative treatment options that could improve their cardiovascular health. 

What’s even more surprising is that Nattokinase research is listed in another Gov’t agency: the National Center for Biotechnology Information. It is the 3rd reference below and dated from July 2018 (6 years ago). The scientific study listed in its conclusion:

“ In summary, compared with traditional antithrombotic and antihypertensive drugs, NK (NattoKinase) is characterized by high safety, low cost, simple production process, oral availability, and long in vivo half-life. As such, it is expected to become a new-generation drug for thrombotic disorders or CVDs. Although human trials and clinical studies demonstrate the clinical benefits of NK in the clinical settings, there remain a number of limitations. However, all the available data are encouraging and promising and further clinical trials are needed to fully examine the prospect of NK as an alternative medication to t-PA, aspirin, warfarin, or newer anticoagulants in the management of CVD. In the near future, it is possible that patients with CVD may need only a single NK pill to replace multiple drugs administered for the prevention and management of CVD, including t-PA, antihypertensives, statins, aspirin, and warfarin.” …! Similarly in August 2020, the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science stated in its introduction: 'Rigor and reproducibility are two important cornerstones of medical and scientific advancement. Clinical and translational research (CTR) contains four phases (T1–T4), involving the translation of basic research to humans, then to clinical settings, practice, and the population, with the ultimate goal of improving public health.”

Above comments clearly underscore the need for :

1. effective NIH oversight mechanisms,

2. project management,

3. collaboration,

4. communication within the medical community.

Finally, it is well known that the medical community dislikes non-conventional narratives or findings. It is high time that this group of professionals throws away its intellectual straightjacket so well enshrined for a century long by John D. Rockefeller and the infamous Flexner report, published in 1904. 

The US must address its high CVD mortality rate.

Nattokinase shows promise as a potential alternative treatment for CVD. Though more research is needed to fully understand Nattokinase's mechanisms and benefits, its non-toxicity might be a life-saving compound for thousands of CVD sufferers.

REFERENCES  

1. Sumi, H., Hamada, H., Tsushima, H., Mihara, H., & Muraki, H. (1987). A novel fibrinolytic enzyme (nattokinase) in the vegetable cheese Natto; a typical and popular soybean food in Japanese diet. Experientia, 43(10), 1110-1111.

2. Chisato Nagata, Keiko Wada, Takashi Tamura, Kie Konishi, Yuko Goto, Sachi Koda, Toshiyuki Kawachi, Michiko Tsuji, Kozue Nakamura,

3. Dietary soy and natto intake and cardiovascular disease mortality in Japanese adults: the Takayama study1, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,Volume 105, Issue 2, 2017, Pages 426-431,

4. Nattokinase: A Promising Alternative in Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases - PMC (nih.gov)

5. A framework for clinical and translational research in the era of rigor and reproducibility

6. Suzuki, Y., Kondo, K., Ichise, H., Tsukamoto, Y., Urano, T., & Umemura, K. (2003). Dietary supplementation of nattokinase decreases plasma levels of fibrinogen, factor VII, and factor VIII in human subjects. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 14(2), 63-68.

7. Kurosawa Y, Nirengi S, Homma T, Esaki K, Ohta M, Clark JF, Hamaoka T. A single-dose of oral nattokinase potentiates thrombolysis and anti-coagulation profiles. Sci Rep. 2015 Jun 25;5:11601. doi: 10.1038/srep11601. PMID: 26109079; PMCID: PMC4479826.

8. Wu H, Wang H, Xu F, Chen J, Duan L, Zhang F. Acute toxicity and genotoxicity evaluations of Nattokinase, a promising agent for cardiovascular diseases prevention. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2019 Apr;103:205-209. doi: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2019.02.006. Epub 2019 Feb 8. PMID: 30742876.

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   Selvarajan E, Bhatnagar N. Nattokinase: an updated critical review on challenges and perspectives. Cardiovasc Hematol Agents Med Chem. 2017 Dec 7. doi: 10.2174/1871525716666171207153332. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 29219060.

 @ Friendly Disclaimer: this blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet or treatment plan.