Can You Use Serrapeptase and Nattokinase Together? 14


Serrapeptase and nattokinase are entirely different enzymes. They both are proteolytic enzymes, which is to say they both break down proteins, particularly fibrin in the bloodstream. They both originally came from natural sources in China and Japan, serrapeptase from silkworms and nattokinase from the fermented soy food natto. But they don't do quite the same things in the human body.

pillsSerratiopeptidase breaks down collagen and fibrin. It can help the body “clean out” broken tissue in bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It is especially useful for breaking down fibrin. This helps the body dissolve blood clots. That can be very helpful in healing bruises. And it prevents the formation of scar tissue so that joints retain their range of motion as they heal.

Nattokinase is partially broken up in the process of digestion. The pure nattokinase that passes into the bloodstream also dissolves the protein fibrin. This prevents or corrects some of the problems that are caused by blood clotting, but nattokinase does not break down damaged collagen.

Nattokinase fragments, however, can do something that serratiopeptidase cannot. They act as an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. They prevent the hormone angiotensin from being converted into the hormone angiotensinogen, which raises blood pressure. Just how much nattokinase lowers your blood pressure depends on how thoroughly it is digested. If you are taking antacids for heartburn, for instance, your stomach will produce less acid and the nattokinase will be less thoroughly broken down into fragments. It will have more of a blood thinning effect than a blood pressure lowering effect.

Some supplements combine serratiopeptidase with nattokinase. There are some people for whom this is a good combination. If you exercise as part of your routine for controlling your blood pressure and you suffer an injury, it is going to be harder to keep your hypertension in check while you are recovering.

Serratiopeptidase supports recovery of muscles, bones, and connective tissues, while nattokinase might give just that tiny boost in blood pressure control that makes the difference that keeps you from having to take more medication or adding a new medication. Don't take nattokinase if you take aspirin for your heart or if you are on prescription anticoagulant (blood thinning) medication. There is very little risk of an adverse reaction, only one adverse reaction reported in the medical literature, but the combined effects are impossible to predict.

And if you don't have high blood pressure, serratiopeptidase and nattokinase are redundant. Because serratiopeptidase is a stronger and more versatile proteolytic enzyme, and it doesn't just dissolve fibrin, it is the enzyme you need.


About Andy

I suffered a serious neck injury when I was about 19 years old. That problem didn't affect me until I was in my 40s, but I then suffered two prolapsed discs in my neck and problems with my right arm and hand. Serrapeptase was recommended by my chiropractor to try to break up the scar tissue around the vertebrae that were causing me the problems. It seemed to help me with my problem, so created this site to help inform people what serrapeptase is, what it can do and just as importantly, what it cannot do. I hope you find the information useful.

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14 thoughts on “Can You Use Serrapeptase and Nattokinase Together?

  • arthur

    Hi Andy, do you take Serrapeptase daily?? For example can I take it for a few days after I work out and then stop or when I have more pain than ususal??
    At this time I am taking Nattokinase with K2 for borderline blood pressure..
    Thanks for you input
    Art

    • Andy Post author

      I have taken it daily for several months with no problems. I was taking it for scar tissue in a spinal injury. I no longer take it, but it is an enzyme, and can only work on the problems when it is in your body, so for me, I’d take it none stop for a while.

    • Andy Post author

      Arthur
      Currently, I take Serraplus daily. I like it better than plain serrapeptase because it provides MSM and trace minerals that can help with the utilization of the enzyme. You can stop and start whenever you like, but I have found that a longer period works better for me, so I’ll take it for several months at a time, then come off for a while. This is just what I found works best for me.

  • Earl

    Hi Andy, Just finished reading your articles on serratiopeptidase and nattokinase. Do you think these enzymes would be helpful in reducing plaque in the carotid artery? Thanks. Earl

  • Emily Scott

    Hello Andy, Your article is such a relief to me. I was trying at so many sites to get the whole picture on these two supplements. I plan now on trying serrapeptase for fibrocystic breast. And joints. I will copy your article for keeping. Thank You

  • Liz

    Hello Andy,

    Thanks for the info you posted. Can I take Serrapeptase tablets along with Fibrozym tablets? I have Serrapeptase but I am also getting Fibrozym and was wondering whether it was safe to take them both at the same time and dossage. I am fighting uterine fibroids but I am very healthy in all other ways.

    Liz

  • Kristina

    Hello Andy,
    I have high blood pressure and am considering taking a combined nattokinase and serrapeptase supplement. However your information on nattokinase needing stomach acid to reduce blood pressures gives me pause. I was not aware of that. Serrapeptase is usually coated so that it bypasses stomach acid. Clearly if you don’t have high blood pressure then the combined supplement is ok.
    Thanks for the info.

  • Sarah W

    Hi Andy, thank you for your post. I had a c-section a few years back in which my bladder was cut, and coincidentally I have scar tissue from it. I was wanting to take Serrapeptase to break down the scar tissue, but I am afraid of breaking down the collagen of the skin. Would that happened? If so… Would nattokinase be less likely to break down the collagen of the skin?

    • Anon

      Sarah, I started taking Serra to break down scar tissue from a past surgery. I also take a collagen supplement. I feel like it makes my supplement work less so on that I would say, that yes, it may break down collagen of the skin. Did you every find out on your own if Natto is better?

  • Peter

    Can one take nattokinase and serrapeptase along with High Blood Pressure medications Micardis and Norvasc (a angiotensin II receptor antagonist and a calcium channel blocker). Neither Micardis nor Norvasc are blood thinners as far as I know. Thank you in advance.

  • John

    Hiya Andy, I hope serrapeptase doesn’t break down collagen as I take a collagen supplement for an abdominal aortic aneurysm to strengthen the artery wall.

    I also take serrapeptase and nattokinase for other related cadiovascular conditions I need all three namely collagen, nattokinase and serrapeptase.

    Care to comment please,
    John.