Serrapeptase vs. Nattokinase: What Is the Difference?

By Lindsay Powers, Nutritional Therapist | Last Updated: June 2026
This article was written by Lindsay Powers, Nutritional Therapist, as part of her role with Good Health Naturally. It is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. The information provided is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new supplement. These products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

If you have been exploring enzyme supplements, chances are you have encountered both serrapeptase and nattokinase. They are two of the most researched enzymes in the natural health space, and they are often mentioned in the same breath. But they are not the same thing, and understanding the difference matters if you want to make an informed choice about which one, or both, might suit your wellness goals.

In this guide I want to give you a clear, side-by-side look at what each enzyme is, how they work, what the research shows, and how they compare. I will also explain why, for some people, the most interesting option is not choosing between them at all.

Key Points

• Serrapeptase is a broad-spectrum proteolytic enzyme; nattokinase is a targeted fibrinolytic enzyme. They work through different mechanisms.
• Serrapeptase research focuses primarily on inflammatory markers and post-surgical recovery; nattokinase research focuses primarily on cardiovascular markers and fibrinolytic activity.
• Both are suitable for vegans and are produced through fermentation processes.
• Both may interact with blood-thinning medications; always consult your doctor before use.
• They can be taken together and are available combined in Blockbuster AllClear by Good Health Naturally.
• Neither product has been evaluated by the FDA and neither is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

The Basics: What Are They and Where Do They Come From?

Both serrapeptase and nattokinase are naturally derived enzymes, but they come from very different sources and belong to different enzyme families.

Serrapeptase is a proteolytic enzyme, meaning it breaks down proteins. It was originally isolated from bacteria found in the gut of the silkworm (Bombyx mori) and today is produced commercially through microbial fermentation. It belongs to a class of enzymes called serine proteases, and its ability to break down non-living protein matter is central to the research interest surrounding it ^[1].

Nattokinase is a fibrinolytic enzyme, meaning it specifically targets fibrin, the protein involved in blood clot formation. It is derived from natto, a traditional Japanese fermented soybean food, and is produced by the bacterium Bacillus subtilis var. natto during fermentation. It was first identified in 1987 by researcher Dr. Hiroyuki Sumi and has been studied extensively for its effects on cardiovascular markers ever since ^[2].

So at the most fundamental level: serrapeptase is a broad-spectrum protein-dissolving enzyme, while nattokinase is a more specialized enzyme with a particular focus on fibrin and circulatory health.

How Each Enzyme Works

How Serrapeptase Works

Serrapeptase cleaves peptide bonds in proteins, selectively targeting non-living or inactive protein matter. This is the same mechanism by which the silkworm dissolves its own cocoon. In the context of human physiology, researchers have explored whether this activity may support the body’s natural processes around tissue maintenance and the inflammatory response ^[1].

How Nattokinase Works

Nattokinase works primarily through fibrinolytic activity. Fibrin is the protein that forms the structural basis of blood clots. The body has its own natural clot-dissolving system led by an enzyme called plasmin, and research suggests nattokinase may support and enhance this fibrinolytic activity. Studies have also explored its effects on blood pressure markers and cardiovascular biomarkers more broadly ^{[2], [3]}.

The Key Difference in Mechanism

Serrapeptase acts on a wider range of proteins and has attracted research interest primarily in relation to inflammatory markers and post-surgical recovery. Nattokinase is more targeted in its action, with the majority of research focused on fibrinolytic activity and cardiovascular health markers. They work through different pathways, which is one reason some researchers and practitioners have explored whether they may be complementary rather than interchangeable.

What the Research Shows for Each

Serrapeptase Research Highlights

Several clinical studies have examined serrapeptase in post-surgical and inflammatory contexts. A widely cited double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in Pharmatherapeutica (1984) examined serrapeptase in participants following dental surgery and observed statistically significant differences in swelling markers compared to placebo ^[4]. A further randomized controlled study in the International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (2008) observed differences in swelling, pain, and trismus scores in participants who took serrapeptase following surgical tooth extraction ^[5].

A 2017 review in the Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences summarized the existing evidence and concluded that while early findings were promising, further large-scale clinical trials are needed to fully characterize serrapeptase’s clinical utility ^[6].

Nattokinase Research Highlights

Nattokinase has a particularly strong body of research in relation to cardiovascular markers. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in Hypertension Research (2008) examined 86 participants over eight weeks and found statistically significant differences in blood pressure measurements in those taking nattokinase compared to placebo ^[3]. A larger clinical study published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine (2022) followed 1,062 participants over 12 months and observed significant improvements in blood lipid markers including total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-C ^[7].

The Honest Bottom Line on Both

Neither enzyme has been approved by the FDA to treat, prevent, or cure any disease or health condition. Both have genuine and growing bodies of research, but both also have evidence bases that still require further large-scale clinical trials to reach definitive conclusions. They are dietary supplements, not pharmaceuticals, and should be approached as part of a broader healthy lifestyle rather than as standalone solutions.

Serrapeptase vs. Nattokinase: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Who Tends to Choose Each One?

In practice, the people I see gravitating toward serrapeptase tend to be those with a primary interest in supporting the body’s natural inflammatory response, those who have experienced physical stress or recovery, or those who are exploring enzyme therapy more broadly for systemic wellness.

Those drawn to nattokinase are often more specifically focused on circulatory wellness, cardiovascular health as a long-term priority, or the fibrinolytic aspects of enzyme supplementation. It is also popular among people who have a family history of cardiovascular concerns and are exploring complementary nutritional strategies alongside conventional care.

Of course, these are generalizations. Individual health goals, existing medications, and personal health history should always guide any supplementation decision, ideally in consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.

Can You Take Serrapeptase and Nattokinase Together?

This is one of the most common questions I hear, and the short answer is that many people do choose to take both. Because they work through different mechanisms (serrapeptase as a broad-spectrum proteolytic enzyme and nattokinase as a targeted fibrinolytic agent) they are not redundant when taken together. Some practitioners and researchers have suggested that their complementary mechanisms of action may make them a useful combination for people with a particular interest in systemic enzyme support ^[8].

That said, combining enzyme supplements is not appropriate for everyone. Anyone taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, including warfarin, aspirin, heparin, or direct oral anticoagulants, should speak with their doctor before taking either enzyme individually, let alone in combination. The same applies to anyone preparing for surgery, who is pregnant or breastfeeding, or who has an autoimmune condition.

Blockbuster AllClear: Both Enzymes in One Formula

For those who want to explore serrapeptase and nattokinase together as part of a comprehensive enzyme supplement, Good Health Naturally offers Blockbuster AllClear, a formula that combines both enzymes alongside a broader range of systemic enzymes and supporting nutrients.

The thinking behind a combined formula is that different enzymes acting through complementary pathways may offer broader systemic support than either enzyme alone. It is a convenient option for people who are interested in both serrapeptase and nattokinase and prefer a single, well-formulated product rather than managing multiple separate supplements.

As with all supplements, read the full product information carefully and speak with your doctor before starting, particularly if you take any medications or have an existing health condition.

Safety Reminders for Both Enzymes

Both serrapeptase and nattokinase share some important safety considerations that are worth stating clearly:

Blood-thinning medications: Both enzymes have fibrinolytic or anticoagulant-related activity and may interact with warfarin, aspirin, heparin, and direct oral anticoagulants. Do not take either supplement without speaking to your prescribing doctor first if you are on any such medication.

Pre-surgery: Practitioners typically recommend stopping proteolytic and fibrinolytic enzyme supplements at least two weeks before any planned surgical procedure.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Insufficient safety data exists for either enzyme during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Both are best avoided during these periods.

Soy allergy: Nattokinase is derived from soybeans. Anyone with a soy allergy should confirm allergen status with the manufacturer before use.

The Bottom Line

Serrapeptase and nattokinase are both well-researched enzyme supplements with distinct mechanisms and distinct bodies of evidence. Serrapeptase is a broad-spectrum proteolytic enzyme with research focused on inflammatory markers and post-surgical contexts. Nattokinase is a targeted fibrinolytic enzyme with a strong body of research in cardiovascular health and blood pressure markers.

Neither is universally better than the other. They serve different primary purposes, and for many people interested in comprehensive systemic enzyme support, the most compelling option is to explore them together rather than choosing one over the other.

If you are ready to explore serrapeptase on its own, you can find the Good Health Naturally serrapeptase supplement here. For nattokinase, you can find the Good Health Naturally nattokinase supplement here. Or if you want both in a single comprehensive formula, explore Blockbuster AllClear here.

As always, speak with your doctor or a qualified nutritional therapist before starting any new supplement, particularly if you take medications or have an existing health condition.

Lindsay Powers is a qualified Nutritional Therapist working with Good Health Naturally. Her focus is on metabolic health, inflammation, and evidence-based supplementation. She writes to help people navigate the ever-expanding world of natural health with clarity and confidence.

References

1. Jadhav, S.B., Shah, N., Rathi, A., Rathi, V., & Rathi, A. (2020). Serratiopeptidase: Insights into the therapeutic applications. Biotechnology Reports, 28, e00544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.btre.2020.e00544
2. Sumi, H., Hamada, H., Tsushima, H., Mihara, H., & Muraki, H. (1987). A novel fibrinolytic enzyme (nattokinase) in the vegetable cheese Natto; a typical and popular soybean food in the Japanese diet. Experientia, 43(10), 1110–1111. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01956052
3. Kim, J.Y., Gum, S.N., Paik, J.K., Lim, H.H., Kim, K.C., Ogasawara, K., Inoue, K., Park, S., Jang, Y., & Lee, J.H. (2008). Effects of nattokinase on blood pressure: A randomized, controlled trial. Hypertension Research, 31(8), 1583–1588. https://doi.org/10.1291/hypres.31.1583
4. Tachibana, M., Mizukoshi, O., Harada, Y., Kawamoto, K., & Nakai, Y. (1984). A multi-centre, double-blind study of serrapeptase versus placebo in post-antrotomy buccal swelling. Pharmatherapeutica, 3(8), 526–530.
5. Al-Khateeb, T.H., & Nusair, Y. (2008). Effect of the proteolytic enzyme serrapeptase on swelling, pain and trismus after surgical extraction of mandibular third molars. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 37(3), 264–268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijom.2007.11.011
6. Tiwari, M. (2017). The role of serratiopeptidase in the resolution of inflammation. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 12(3), 209–215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajps.2017.01.003
7. Chen, H., Chen, J., Zhang, F., Li, Y., Wang, R., Zheng, Q., Zhang, X., Zeng, J., Xu, F., & Lin, Y. (2022). Effective management of atherosclerosis progress and hyperlipidemia with nattokinase: A clinical study with 1,062 participants. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 9, 964977. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2022.964977
8. Weng, Y., Yao, J., Sparks, S., & Wang, K.Y. (2017). Nattokinase: An oral antithrombotic agent for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(3), 523. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18030523

© 2026. All rights reserved. This content is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. These products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.