Parent company to JBSL-USA, Japan Bio Science Laboratory Co. (JBSL), has been awarded a patent in Japan for its nattokinase ingredient, NSK-SD.
The patent, #7804957, is titled: "Advanced Glycation Endproduct Production Inhibitor" and has been awarded for its proven ability to reduce advanced glycation end products (AGEs).
NSK-SD is a fermented soybean extract (natto) that has been shown to improve blood flow and blood pressure, as well as having positive thrombolytic effects.
Now, newer research has demonstrated that NSK-SD improves blood sugar health by reducing AGEs, which are proteins or lipids that become glycated upon exposure to sugars. Excess AGEs are involved in the progression of diabetes and related complications.
The recent patent is based on the results of two studies, including one that showed nattokinase suppressed AGE production in diabetic subjects. The second showed that nattokinase administration tended to suppress, in a dose-dependent manner, the expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) and the nitric oxide-generating enzyme iNOS during the induction of inflammatory responses in macrophages.
The authors concluded that nattokinase (as NSK-SD) could be used as an ingredient that targets glycation and inflammation — especially important in diabetic individuals, as tissue damage is a complication of the disease.
"AGEs are gaining more attention as a target for nutraceuticals that support healthy blood sugar levels," said Vincent Hackel, president and CEO, JBSL-USA.
This new patent confirms how nattokinase (as NSK-SD) suppresses production of AGEs, which contribute to inflammageing, a diabetes risk factor.
Japan Bio Science Laboratory is a pioneer in nattokinase research and, in 1998, was the first company in the world to isolate and market the unique enzyme.
NSK-SD is fermented with the company's patented Bacillus subtilis natto strain. JBSL has also patented the removal of Vitamin K2 from nattokinase.