Practitioner Selected Product
Boluoke® (lumbrokinase) is an extensively researched oral enzyme that shows encouraging results for supporting healthy coagulation/fibrinolysis in the body.*
Boluoke® may assist people with a tendency towards hypercoagulation, by reducing fibrinogen and fibrin without interfering with the clotting cascade.* Boluoke® does not impact INR or aPTT, and is therefore compatible with Coumadin® or heparin.
Lumbrokinase is more potent than other enzymes on the market, including nattokinase. Boluoke® lumbrokinase is of superior quality, standardized against urokinase and t-PA, unlike other products.
When selecting a lumbrokinase product, it’s crucial to compare the amount of active lumbrokinase per capsule, not capsule weight. Boluoke®’s capsules are 200mg, and contain 20mg of active lumbrokinase inside each capsule. It’s unlikely you’ll find another product that specifies the active ingredient and matches this ratio.
Although earthworm extract has become more commonly available, most imitations contains very little pure lumbrokinase.
Boluoke® Research
Boluoke® is the only extensively researched oral fibrinolytic supplement available. Research has included in vitro (outside the body), animal studies, toxicity studies and pharmacokinetic studies. In addition, Boluoke® has been assessed via all phases of clinical trial in China and is now used in hospitals in China, as well as being covered by the Chinese National Fundamental Health Insurance.
Are there any side effects?
A trial involving 16 hospitals and 1560 patients in China reported no hemorrhage or major side effects. In terms of minor adverse effects, 0.19% of participants experienced a skin rash, 1.15% nausea or diarrhea, and 0.58% skin itching, with an overall adverse reaction rate of 1.92%. This research specifically applies to Boluoke® and cannot be applied to other products on the market, despite the claims.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases.
Ingredients
Ingredients
Proprietary earthworm protein extract ~20 mg (Boluoke® lumbrokinase 300,000u)
Other ingredients: acid-resistant hypromellose capsules, microcrystalline cellulose
Serving size: 1 capsule
Servings per container: 120
Directions
Directions
1-2 capsules one to three times daily on an empty stomach, or as directed by a healthcare practitioner.
Caution: Consult your physician prior to use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking antiplatelets, or taking anticoagulants. People with a known bleeding tendency or known allergy to earthworms should not take this product.
FAQs
Are there any side effects of Boluoke®?
Given the thousands of years of use of earthworms in Traditional Chinese Medicine, traditional pharmacopoeias consider it to be one of the safest medicines. In a large clinic trial of Boluoke® (16 hospitals and 1560 patients in China), the overall adverse reaction rate was 1.92% (30 cases). This rate included 0.58% skin itching, 0.19% skin rash, and 1.15% nausea or diarrhea. No hemorrhage or major side effect was documented.
What are the contra-indications for using Boluoke®?
Allergy to lumbrokinase or earthworm; recent surgery; pre-surgery; lumbar puncture or arterial puncture; trauma; high risk aneurysm; active internal bleeding or GI ulceration; any other bleeding disorders/tendencies. People who are taking any anti-coagulants (e.g. heparin, coumadin) or anti-platelet drugs should consult with a physician before taking Boluoke.
Is it safe to take Boluoke® if the person is also on blood thinning agents?
Clinical studies have safely used Lumbrokinase together with blood thinning agents, and documented no adverse interactions nor an increase in the chance of bleeding beyond that which has already been documented for blood thinners (Park S, Kye KC, Sumi H, et al. 1989). It has been demonstrated that Boluoke® does not significantly affect PT and aPTT (and therefore it does not affect INR). It is always recommended that patients consult with their physician before using Boluoke® while on any other medications.
Is it safe to take Boluoke® if the person is also taking anti-platelet agents?
At present, there are no studies that have specifically reviewed this, and no adverse interactions have yet been documented. It is important to note that because Boluoke® can affect platelet aggregation (Zhang GP, Qian RZ, et al. 1998), it should not be used with strong anti-platelets without physician supervision.
Is it safe to take Boluoke® with aspirin?
Clinical studies have shown that Boluoke® can safely be taken with aspirin (Wang XL, Yan DC. 2000; Wang H, Yan DC, et al. 2000). However, patients should always consult with their physicians before taking aspirin or other NSAIDs with Boluoke®.
Can Boluoke® be used during pregnancy?
Animal teratogenicity studies of Boluoke® demonstrated no effect on pregnancy weight, fetal growth, abortion rate, still birth rate, and fetal resorption rate in mice compared to the placebo group. In addition, no birth defects were detected. However, pregnant patients should not take Boluoke® unless under the supervision of a physician’s.
Can the content of Boluoke® capsules be emptied out and taken without the capsules?
The capsules used in Boluoke® are enteric coated capsules. They are designed to resist stomach acid and dissolve in the small intestines, because lumbrokinase may be inactivated by stomach acid. Preliminary coagulation tests using Sonoclot® machine (manufactured by Sienco, Inc.) indicate that Boluoke® is still effective when taken without the capsules on an empty stomach. However, it is highly recommended that the patients take Boluoke® in its original capsulated format whenever possible.
Is Boluoke® useful for uterine fibroids?
Boluoke® is unlikely to help with uterine fibroids. There have been no studies that indicate any potential benefit and this appears to be an internet myth that has no merit.
Can Boluoke® be taken with other enzyme products?
It is not currently recommended to take Boluoke® with other proteolytic enzymes due to the theoretical possibility that it may be cleaved and rendered ineffective. In a situation where other such enzyme products are required to be taken while on Boluoke®, it is best to space apart the dosing of the two enzyme products by at least 2 hours.
How should Boluoke® be taken?
Boluoke® should always be taken according to a physician's recommendations for the individual patient. The typical protocol for most chronic conditions and maintenance is to take 1 capsule once to three times daily on empty stomach. In acute conditions Boluoke® can be taken at the dose of 2 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach for 3 to 6 weeks or as long as the physician recommends.
Are there tests that can be used to see if the doses of Boluoke® are appropriate?
It may be helpful to discuss this with a specialized hematology lab. Tests like anti-plasmin, prothrombin fragment 1+2, thrombin/antithrombin complex, or soluble fibrin monomer levels may assist physicians in determining whether patients are on appropriate doses of Boluoke®.
Are all lumbrokinase products the same?
The short answer is no. Boluoke® is the only lumbrokinase product that has been through all phases of clinical trials. Its enzymatic strength is standardized against tPA and urokinase activities. Marketing materials for other lumbrokinase products often cite Boluoke®’s credentials and research, but do not disclose the enzymatic strength of their lumbrokinase. The enzymatic strengths of various lumbrokinase products differ greatly and cheaper products are generally far less potent.
Does taking lumbrokinase cause interference with Vitamin K?
Lumbrokinase is not an anti-coagulant and does not interfere with the clotting cascade (like warfarin or heparin). This means it is compatible to take with Vitamin K.
Is Boluoke® GMO-free?
Yes, Boluoke® is GMO-free.