The Hidden Benefit of Earthworm

Earthworm has been used in the Far East traditional medical practice for conditions associated with some thrombolytic diseases such as stroke, myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism. According to Chinese medical publication Ben Cao Gang Ma, earthworm (lumbricus rubellus) was said to unblock the body's meridians and channels, and was used to support blood circulation.

In 1883, in a book discussing the action of worms, Charles Darwin observed that earthworm digestive fluids can dissolve fibrin. In order to elucidate the power of earthworms, Japanese scholars Dr. Hisashi Mihara and others succeeded in extracting a fibrin-dissolving enzyme from Lumbricus rubellus in the 1980s. This enzyme was later found to consist of a few proteolytic sub-enzymes, which are collectively named lumbrokinase. Lumbrokinase is also referred to as earthworm fibrinolytic enzymes (EFE), earthworm powder enzymes (EPE), or e-PA.

Since 1992, lumbrokinase derived from earthworms has been extensively studied and used in China. Research has shown lumbrokinase to support healthy coagulation of blood within normal levels and enhance fibrinolytic activities, i.e. similar to natokinase. In Japan and Korea lumbrokinase has been the main ingredient in "Dragon Heart", a popular health supplement for supporting circulatory health.

Lumbrokinase consists of proteolytic enzymes. It contains in it plasminogen activator and plasmin. The plasminogen activator in Lumbrokinase is similar to tissue plasminogen activator from other sources. It means it possibly shows thrombolytic activities only in the presence of fibrin. That is why lumbrokinase has the advantage of not causing excessive building.

The enzymes in lumbrokinase have very strong fibrinolytic activity and are stable in a wide pH range. They also shows great stability against thermal inactivation and degradation.

Lumbrokinase has been widely used in over 100 hospitals in Beijing since 1995. In Indonesia Jakarta, lumbrokinase has been used in thousands of hospitals and stores, in more than 20 provinces and cities, as well as in Hongkong, taiwan, Southeast Asia, and Europe.

Conclusion
Lumbrokinase have a great future in both preventing and treating atherosclerotic buildup. Since our natural production of plasmin slows as we age and other factors can enter the picture to thicken the blood, it makes good sense to consider this enzyme for prevention.
However, if you take medication, ask your physician before starting this enzyme supplements. Lumbrokinase is quite powerful and your medication may have to be adjusted as a result of taking it.