Nattozimes vs Nattokinase: Similar FU Language, Different Enzyme Story

You are looking at two Swanson enzyme supplements. One says Nattokinase 2,000 FU. The other says Nattozimes 6,750 FU. At a glance, the bigger number can make Nattozimes look like a higher-strength version of nattokinase.

That is the trap. Nattozimes and nattokinase do not list the same active ingredient. Our current Swanson Nattozimes 6,750 FU lists Nattozimes exo/endo proteases and describes those enzymes as derived from two fungi strains. Our Swanson Nattokinase 2,000 FU lists nattokinase itself. Both labels use FU activity language, but that does not make the ingredients identical.

Why the names are so easy to mix up

Natto, nattokinase and Nattozimes all sound as though they should sit in one straight line. Natto is the traditional Japanese fermented soybean food. Nattokinase is a specific enzyme produced during natto fermentation. Nattozimes is the name of a branded protease ingredient that was inspired by the natto story, but its label identifies a different enzyme source.

So when you see Nattozimes NZ listings beside nattokinase products, the first thing to check is not the biggest FU number. It is the active ingredient name.

Read the ingredient name before the activity number

Our current Swanson Nattokinase capsule keeps the identity simple: each capsule lists nattokinase, providing 2,000 fibrinolytic units of activity.

Swanson Nattozimes is labelled differently. Each capsule lists Nattozimes exo/endo proteases at 6,750 FU. Swanson describes Nattozimes as an enzyme supplement derived from two strains of fungi.

If you specifically want the branded Nattozimes protease formula, that clear 6,750 FU per-capsule activity statement is useful. We simply keep it in its own ingredient lane rather than relabelling it as nattokinase.

That difference matters because an activity unit and an ingredient name answer two different questions. The ingredient name tells you what the product contains. FU tells you about fibrinolytic enzyme activity under a defined test method.

Two enzyme stories start in different places

Nattokinase starts with natto fermentation

Nattokinase is a specific protease associated with natto. During traditional natto fermentation, Bacillus subtilis acts on cooked soybeans and produces nattokinase. That is why nattokinase supplements are commonly described as natto-derived enzymes.

If you want more background on natto, nattokinase, FU labelling and the usual safety checks, our complete nattokinase guide goes deeper without changing the basic point here: a nattokinase label should actually name nattokinase.

Nattozimes is a branded protease ingredient

Swanson Nattozimes takes a different route. The product lists Nattozimes exo/endo proteases, and Swanson describes the enzymes as derived from two fungi strains. In other words, the product name nods to natto, but the active ingredient is not listed as nattokinase.

This is also why we do not borrow claims from nattokinase studies and apply them to Nattozimes. Human studies have tested nattokinase, but their results are not uniformly positive across every cardiovascular outcome. One eight-week randomised trial in people with pre-hypertension or stage 1 hypertension reported reductions in blood pressure, while a longer randomised trial in 265 adults at low cardiovascular risk found no significant effect on progression of subclinical atherosclerosis, blood pressure or measured laboratory markers compared with placebo. Different ingredient identity means we keep the evidence separate.

Where the two labels meet: FU

FU stands for fibrinolytic units. It is an enzyme activity measure linked to fibrin breakdown in laboratory testing. That makes FU useful for showing activity, but FU is not the chemical or biological identity of the enzyme itself.

Think of it this way: two products can report activity using the same type of unit without becoming the same ingredient. A shared unit does not tell us that the enzymes came from the same organism, have the same protein structure, or have interchangeable human evidence.

So the 6,750 FU on Nattozimes is a real label value, and the 2,000 FU on Swanson Nattokinase is a real label value. What we do not do is divide one by the other and call Nattozimes a multiple-strength nattokinase. That would turn two different ingredient stories into a comparison the labels do not support.

Why we do not treat Nattozimes as a higher-strength nattokinase

When we organise enzyme products at Healthy, we identify the active ingredient first and then look at the number beside it. That keeps the shelf useful for people who have searched for something specific.

With these two Swanson products, the distinction is clear. The nattokinase bottle lists nattokinase at 2,000 FU. The Nattozimes bottle lists Nattozimes exo/endo proteases at 6,750 FU. Because the named ingredients are different, we do not put the Nattozimes FU number onto the same nattokinase strength ladder.

This is especially important when you are shopping by keyword. If you specifically want nattokinase, confirm that nattokinase appears as the named active ingredient rather than assuming that every natto-sounding enzyme is the same thing.

If you came looking for nattokinase, stay with the ingredient name

Our nattokinase collection is the simplest place to keep that search focused. It currently includes products that actually list nattokinase from Doctor's Best, NOW and Swanson, plus Natto-Serra as a blended enzyme formula.

For example, Doctor's Best Nattokinase, NOW Nattokinase and Swanson Nattokinase all name nattokinase on the product information. They differ in brand, capsule count and formula details, so the right choice still depends on the label features that matter to you.

Swanson Nattozimes belongs in a different conversation. It is a useful example of a branded fungal protease product that also carries FU activity language, but we do not use it as the default answer for someone who has specifically searched for nattokinase.

If you are browsing more broadly for heart-focused supplements rather than one particular enzyme, our heart health collection gives you a wider view of the category.

A quick safety note

These are active enzyme supplements, so the label precautions matter. Our current Swanson Nattozimes product contains wheat and soy. Its precautions advise checking with a healthcare professional if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take medication, especially blood-thinning medication.

Nattokinase products also carry cautions around medicines that affect blood clotting and around bleeding or coagulation conditions. If any of those apply to you, or you have surgery planned, check with your doctor or pharmacist before using an enzyme supplement. Do not stop or replace prescribed medicine with a supplement.

Common questions about Nattozimes and nattokinase

Is Nattozimes the same as nattokinase?

No. Swanson Nattozimes lists Nattozimes exo/endo proteases derived from two fungi strains, while Swanson Nattokinase lists nattokinase itself. Both use FU activity language, but they are not the same named active ingredient.

Why do Nattozimes and nattokinase both use FU?

FU means fibrinolytic units, a way of expressing enzyme activity against fibrin in laboratory testing. The same activity unit can be used for different enzyme ingredients, so FU does not by itself identify what the enzyme is.

Is 6,750 FU Nattozimes stronger than 2,000 FU nattokinase?

6,750 FU is a larger activity number, but we do not treat it as stronger nattokinase because Nattozimes is not labelled as nattokinase. The two FU figures should not be turned into a simple strength multiplier.

What is Swanson Nattozimes made from?

Swanson lists Nattozimes exo/endo proteases and describes the enzymes as derived from two strains of fungi. The current Healthy product also lists other capsule ingredients and states that it contains wheat and soy.

What is nattokinase made from?

Nattokinase is a specific enzyme produced during fermentation of soybeans into natto by Bacillus subtilis. Nattokinase supplements then provide that enzyme in a measured activity amount, commonly shown in FU.

Does Nattozimes contain nattokinase?

Not as a named active ingredient on the current Swanson label. Swanson Nattozimes lists Nattozimes exo/endo proteases, while the Swanson Nattokinase product separately lists nattokinase.

Does Swanson Nattozimes contain soy or wheat?

Yes. Our current Swanson Nattozimes listing states that the product contains wheat and soy, so we would not treat this particular product as wheat-free or soy-free.

Which Healthy products actually list nattokinase as the ingredient?

Our current nattokinase range includes focused nattokinase options from Doctor's Best, NOW and Swanson. Natto-Serra is also in the collection as a blended enzyme formula that includes nattokinase.

Who should check with a health professional before using these enzyme supplements?

Check first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, have a bleeding or coagulation concern, are preparing for surgery, or take medicines that affect blood clotting. A doctor or pharmacist can help you check whether an enzyme supplement fits safely with your medicines and health history.

References

• Swanson Health Products. Nattozimes product facts and ingredient information. Swanson Nattozimes.
• Dabbagh F, et al. Nattokinase: production and application. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2014. PubMed.
• Cai D, et al. Stepwise modifications of genetic parts reinforce the secretory production of nattokinase in Bacillus subtilis. Microbial Biotechnology. 2018. PMC.
• Kim JY, et al. Effects of nattokinase on blood pressure: a randomized, controlled trial. Hypertension Research. 2008. PubMed.
• Hodis HN, et al. Nattokinase atherothrombotic prevention study: A randomized controlled trial. Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation. 2021. PubMed.

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always read the product label and check with a qualified health professional when medicines, pregnancy, breastfeeding, surgery or a medical condition are involved.