Reduction of Hypertension (Blood Pressure) Blood pressure control is influenced by the renin-angiotensin hormonal complex. Angiotensinogen, a protein produced by the liver, is transformed in the blood to angiotensin I by the enzyme renin. Angiotensin I, in turn, is converted to angiotensin II by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II increases blood pressure through constriction of blood vessels. Two enzymes that exert control in this system, therefore, are rennin and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Inhibition of ACE is a common mechanism for hypertensive medications. However, renin, an enzyme that is released by the kidneys, is proposed to be the rate-limiting factor in the renin-angiotensin system.Traditional knowledge is that natto in the diet tends to lower blood pressure. It has been suggested that the mechanism for this effect may be the inhibition of ACE (Maruyama & Sumi, 1998). However a recent clinical study found no difference in blood levels of ACE following treatment with nattokinase but did report a decrease in renin activity (Kim et al, in press). This later study suggests that the mechanism whereby nattokinase decreases blood pressure may be by inhibiting renin activity.Evidence for the effect of nattokinase on blood pressure comes from a randomized,placebo-controlled human clinical study conducted with volunteers with hypertension administered NSK-SD for 8 weeks. Further support comes from a randomized, placebo controlled crossover study conducted with volunteers with a variety of disease states and an open label study conducted with hypertensive individuals. In addition, a rodent study demonstrated a decrease in blood pressure in rats.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 09:02:41 +0000