From the Guidelines
Generally, vitamins can be taken at the same time as nattokinase, but it's best to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice. Nattokinase is an enzyme derived from fermented soybeans that has blood-thinning properties. Most vitamins don't significantly interact with nattokinase; however, vitamin K deserves special consideration since it plays a role in blood clotting, potentially counteracting nattokinase's effects. If you're taking nattokinase for its anticoagulant properties, you might want to separate vitamin K-rich supplements or multivitamins containing vitamin K from your nattokinase dose by a few hours.
Key Considerations
- Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are better absorbed when taken with food containing some fat, while nattokinase is often recommended on an empty stomach for optimal absorption.
- Some vitamins, such as A and D, may be harmful in higher dosages; therefore, dosages greatly exceeding the Recommended Dietary Allowance or Adequate Intake should be taken with care while considering whether potential harms outweigh potential benefits 1.
- The USPSTF concludes that the evidence is insufficient to determine the balance of benefits and harms of supplementation with single or paired nutrients (except β-carotene or vitamin E) for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or cancer 1.
Practical Recommendations
- For practical purposes, consider taking nattokinase on an empty stomach, either 30 minutes before breakfast or 2 hours after dinner.
- Take your vitamins with meals unless directed otherwise by your healthcare provider.
- Be aware of the potential for harm from excessive doses of vitamins, especially fat-soluble ones, and consider the lifetime effect of high doses 1.
- Routine monitoring of vitamin concentrations (except for vitamin D) is not recommended because of lack of evidence for adequate benefits 1.
Final Thoughts
It's essential to prioritize personalized advice from a healthcare provider, considering individual health needs and potential interactions between nattokinase and vitamins. Always follow the recommended dietary intake and be cautious with high doses of vitamins to avoid potential harms 1.
From the Research
Interaction between Vitamins and Nattokinase
- There is evidence to suggest that certain vitamins can be taken at the same time as nattokinase (NK), a dietary supplement 2.
- A study found that co-administration of vitamin K2 and aspirin with NK produced a synergetic effect, indicating that some vitamins may interact positively with NK 2.
- However, there is limited information available on the specific interactions between vitamins and NK, and more research is needed to fully understand the effects of taking vitamins with NK.
Safety Considerations for Vitamin and Nattokinase Co-administration
- Vitamins can have adverse effects and interactions with other substances, including dietary supplements like NK 3.
- Some vitamins, such as fat-soluble vitamins (A, E, D), can cause serious adverse events, and their use should be approached with caution 3.
- NK has been shown to be safe and well-tolerated in clinical studies, but its interaction with vitamins is not well understood 2, 4.
Nattokinase Properties and Applications
- NK is a serine protease with strong thrombolytic activity, and it has been studied for its potential applications in cardiovascular disease prevention 5, 6.
- NK has been found to have antiatherosclerotic and lipid-lowering effects, and it may be useful as a dietary supplement for cardiovascular health 2, 6.
- However, more research is needed to fully understand the properties and applications of NK, including its potential interactions with vitamins and other substances.