Evaluation of the effects of nattokinase combined with red yeast supplementation on blood lipid profiles

In much medical and clinical research, strong fibrinolytic activity, anti-hypertension, and cancer and bone fracture prevention were demonstrated using the "natto bean". Red yeast (monascus purpureus) can inhibit enzymes that are involved in cholesterol biosynthesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypolipidemic action of nattokinase combined with red yeast in mildly hyperlipidemic patients. Fifty subjects were divided into 2 groups, and they received either a low or high dose. The duration of this experiment was 10 weeks, including 2 weeks of washout, 6 weeks of supplementation, and 2 weeks of washout. Fasting blood was collected before and after the 3 periods of the experiment. Total cholesterol declined by 9.7% in the low-dose group and by 6.5% in the high-dose group (p<0.05), and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels dropped by 10.5% in the low-dose group and by 10.6% in the high-dose group (p<0.05) after 6 weeks. No changes in serum triglyceride or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, or the low-density lipoprotein oxidization lag time were noted. In conclusion, nattokinase combined with red yeast supplementation had beneficial effects on blood lipids profiles.