Dear Dr. Cutler,
I had been taking 5 milligrams of warfarin for some time, but stopped several weeks ago and began taking nattokinase to thin my blood.
However, I recently went to the lab for a blood check and my INR was at 1.0. I need it increased to a 2.0.
What can I do to achieve this while continuing with the nattokinase?
—James L.
Dear James,
Although I cannot be your treating physician in this, I can tell you that the International Normalization Ratio (INR) and the protime (PT) will not change with nattokinase or with vitamin E (also a blood thinner) because these products do not affect the intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation.
Therefore, by going off your warfarin—an anticoagulant such as Coumadin® used to prevent heart attacks, strokes and blood clots in veins and arteries—your INR will drop to 1 but your blood will still be thinning from the effects of the nattokinase.
The challenge is that with nattokinase, you will not be able to do a blood test to give you the assurance that your blood has thinned appropriately.
I urge you to discuss with your family physician any questions or concerns, but I can tell you I have seen the effects clinically from my patients with nattokinase.
Plus I have read the studies on mice and humans and I know what I would choose—along with a nutrient-rich, plant-based diet and stress reduction—for any cardiovascular disease condition. It’s your decision.
Michael Cutler, M.D. is a board-certified family physician with 18 years experience specializing in chronic degenerative diseases, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.
A graduate of Brigham Young University, Tulane Medical School and Natividad Medical Center Family Practice Residency in Salinas, Calif., he serves as a medical liaison to alternative and traditional practicing physicians. His practice focuses on an integrative solution to health problems.
Dr. Cutler is a sought-after speaker and lecturer on experiencing optimum health through natural medicines and the Founder and Editor of Easy Health Options™ newsletter—a leading health advisory service on natural healing therapies and nutrients and is Medical Advisor for True Health™—America's #1 source for doctor-formulated nutrients that heal.
For more information visit www.truehealth.com.
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gennaro says
May 23, 2011 at 9:44 pmI think dr cutler should review his fining on nattosinaseand who paid for the test and not aline himself wirh big phama. I have lost my respct for dr. cutler.
ReadItAgain says
May 23, 2011 at 10:01 pmgennaro I think you must be confused. Clearly Dr. Cutler is a fan of Nattokinase. He is saying that the fact that it typically will not show up as thinning blood on the mainstream med tests DOESN’T diminish it’s effectivenss or usefulness. You need to read the post again.
Anonymous says
May 23, 2011 at 10:03 pmwarfarin takes vit K out of your blood. vit K is an important vit.
Gin says
May 24, 2011 at 2:17 amI think Dr Cutler most give more explanation about Nattokinase and his effects in blood thinning ,i was taken Warfarin ,rat poison!! want a better medicine no side effects
Anonymous says
May 24, 2011 at 3:49 amHow much Selenium is too much?
I take Amino Acids for Depression and they contain 67mcgs of Selenium. The Amino Acids are EXTREMELY EFFETIVE. Many thanks.
mejane says
May 24, 2011 at 4:39 amI always heard that nattokinase did not thin the blood just prevented the fibrin that formed blood clots.
Ray L. says
June 17, 2011 at 7:00 pmDr. Cutler did not make it clear whether he would choose nattokinase or warfarin. . . he only said “I know what I would choose” and it wasn’t clear what he would choose. Hopefuly he can rewrite it can spell it out. I’m not unintelligent, obviously others did not understand.
Mari says
June 25, 2011 at 12:04 pmRay it is obvious that Dr Cutler cannot confirm in writing that Nattokinase is better – that would put him at risk of being charged/expelled. We all know that Warfarin is a poison and that most patients are scared by their doctors to taking it.
Great thing that you are interested in improving your health naturally. Good luck with your journey.