Boluoke® Lumbrokinase
The BEST Oral Enzyme For Blood Health

For many centuries earthworm has been used in the Far East traditional medical practice for conditions associated with circulatory abnormalities.  It was recorded in the "Ben Cao Gang Mu", the traditional Eastern world's pharmacopoeia, as a potent medicine for Liver Wind uprising and Channel blockage conditions.

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 then many Korean and Chinese researchers have compiled extensive scientific and clinical data on lumbrokinase extracted from Lumbricus rubellus and Eisenia fetida. In Japan and Korea lumbrokinase has been the main ingredient in Dragon Heart, a popular health supplement for supporting circulatory health. Whereas in China, earthworm protein extracts and lumbrokinase have been studied thoroughly and have been used to support a healthier blood state.

As science and technology advanced over the last century, so did the knowledge about the active constituents in traditional medicine.

First there was dried earthworms used in traditional oriental medicine decoctions, and then there was ground-up earthworm powder.  Later came the granular crude extract of earthworms, and now there is Boluoke®, a nutraceutical product containing purified enzymes extracted from earthworms. Just like omega-3 molecules in fish oil, polyphenols in green tea, and curcumin and turmeric, the group of enzymes called lumbrokinase shall in time be known as the most valuable ingredients in earthworms

Boluoke® (lumbrokinase) is the only fully researched oral enzyme on the market supporting a healthier blood state, and it shows great promise in supporting a healthy coagulation/fibrinolysis balance in the body. 

Coagulation system is a complicated and highly regulated system. Modern lifestyles often tip the balance towards hypercoagulation and rarely towards hypocoagulation. For most people, Boluoke® can support the body in keeping the system in a more balanced state. Some practitioners are also recommending Boluoke® for those who choose to be on hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills, and for those who could not tolerate standard preventative pharmaceutical drugs.

Lipoprotein (a)
High Lp(a) in blood is a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD), cerebrovascular disease (CVD), atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and stroke (source: Christian Wilde (2003). Hidden Causes of Heart Attack and Stroke: Inflammation, Cardiology's New Frontier. Abigon Press, pages 182-183).

In advanced atherosclerosis, Lp(a) is an independent risk factor not dependent on LDL. Lp(a) then indicates a coagulant risk of plaque thrombosis. Apo(a) contains domains that are very similar to plasminogen (PLG). Lp(a) accumulates in the vessel wall and inhibits binding of PLG to the cell surface, reducing plasmin generation which increases clotting. This inhibition of PLG by Lp(a) also promotes proliferation of smooth muscle cells. These unique features of Lp(a) suggest Lp(a) causes generation of clots and atherosclerosis (source: Caplice NM, Panetta C, Peterson TE, Kleppe LS, Mueske CS, Kostner GM, Broze GJ, Simari RD (2001). "Lipoprotein (a) binds and inactivates tissue factor pathway inhibitor: a novel link between lipoproteins and thrombosis". Blood 98 (10): 29807).

Lp-a concentrations may be affected by disease states, but are only slightly affected by diet, exercise, and other environmental factors.

Commonly prescribed lipid-reducing drugs have little or no effect on Lp(a) concentration. Hemex Labs reviewed its records of patients with high Lp(a)and were able to show that Boluoke® promotes healthy Lp(a) levels using the following regimen:
Week 1: one cap BID
Week 2: two caps BID
Week 3: three caps BID
Week 4: two caps BID
Week 5 and beyond: one cap BID

The attending physician should closely monitor patient's blood pressure and make necessary adjustments to other blood pressure medications and/or Boluoke®.

Beware Of Boluoke® Imitation Products!

Comparing these other products to Boluoke is like comparing apples and oranges. Boluoke®s enzymatic strength is standardized against urokinase and t-PA. The imitation products are likely just earthworm protein extract containing little pure lumbrokinase or lumbrokinase of low enzymatic strength. Boluoke® is the only Lumbrokinase that is backed by Phase I  III clinical trials in China, the one that is first used in hospitals in China, and covered by the Chinese National Fundamental Health Insurance.

Some companies are making products with 230mg to 250mg of lumbrokinase per capsule and trying to quote Boluoke®s research as their own. Boluoke®s capsules are of 200mg in size, and contain 20mg of lumbrokinase inside each capsule. Most of these other lumbrokinase are unable to distinguish between the weight of the capsule (i.e. 250 mg) and the active lumbrokinase per capsule (Boluoke® is 20 mg).

It is interesting that many of these other lumbrokinase products cite the clinical results achieved with only Boluoke®, confusing the reader into assuming that the research was done on their formulations. However, their products may be very different, and your patients may have very different results.

On the raw material market, the price of lumbrokinase can vary by up to 15 fold, and the enzymatic strengths of various Lumbrokinase also differ greatly.

In addition, lumbrokinase is a preparation containing multiple enzyme fractions, and the extraction and purification method determines the composition of the various enzyme fractions. Thus different extraction methods will produce different sub-fractions of lumbrokinase. This is the reason why Boluoke® does not significantly change prothrombin time (PT) or activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), while other lumbrokinase sources may significantly alter PT or aPTT as shown in studies. No other lumbrokinase product can provide you with this assurance.



Beware Of Boluoke® Imitation Products!

Comparing these other products to Boluoke is like comparing apples and oranges. Boluoke®s enzymatic strength is standardized against urokinase and t-PA. The imitation products are likely just earthworm protein extract containing little pure lumbrokinase or lumbrokinase of low enzymatic strength. Boluoke® is the only Lumbrokinase that is backed by Phase I  III clinical trials in China, the one that is first used in hospitals in China, and covered by the Chinese National Fundamental Health Insurance.

Some companies are making products with 230mg to 250mg of lumbrokinase per capsule and trying to quote Boluoke®s research as their own. Boluoke®s capsules are of 200mg in size, and contain 20mg of lumbrokinase inside each capsule. Most of these other lumbrokinase are unable to distinguish between the weight of the capsule (i.e. 250 mg) and the active lumbrokinase per capsule (Boluoke® is 20 mg).

It is interesting that many of these other lumbrokinase products cite the clinical results achieved with only Boluoke®, confusing the reader into assuming that the research was done on their formulations. However, their products may be very different, and your patients may have very different results.

On the raw material market, the price of lumbrokinase can vary by up to 15 fold, and the enzymatic strengths of various Lumbrokinase also differ greatly.

In addition, lumbrokinase is a preparation containing multiple enzyme fractions, and the extraction and purification method determines the composition of the various enzyme fractions. Thus different extraction methods will produce different sub-fractions of lumbrokinase. This is the reason why Boluoke® does not significantly change prothrombin time (PT) or activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), while other lumbrokinase sources may significantly alter PT or aPTT as shown in studies. No other lumbrokinase product can provide you with this assurance.

Suggested Use

If Boluoke® is to be taken for chronic conditions, it should be taken at the dose of 1 capsule one to three times daily 30 minutes before the meal. However, the practitioner may recommend 2 capsules three times daily for 3 to 6 weeks in conditions with severe hypoperfusion. The therapeutic dose for children (according to the manufacturer)is 1 capsule per 8Kg (about 17 pounds) per day. If the lumbrokinase is emptied out from the capsule, still try to take the powder on an empty stomach.



Boluoke FAQ

How long before surgery should patient stop taking Boluoke®?

The conservative approach is to stop Boluoke® 1 week prior to surgery. The patient may resume taking Boluoke® 15 days after surgery if no complication or earlier if the physician deems appropriate.

Can Boluoke® be safely taken if the patient is on blood thinning agents?

Boluoke® does not significantly affect blood tests like PT and aPTT (thus it does not affect INR). However, patients should always consult their physicians before taking Boluoke® while on any prescriptions.

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 in-house tests using Sonoclot® machine (manufactured by Sienco, Inc.) indicated 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.

What are the contra-indications for taking Boluoke®?

Contra-indications for Boluoke® are: allergy to lumbrokinase or earthworm; recent surgery; pre-surgery; lumbar puncture or arterial puncture; trauma; active internal bleeding or GI ulceration; any other bleeding disorders/tendencies. Patients should always consult their physicians before taking Boluoke®.

Does Boluoke® have any side effects?

The earthworm has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for a few thousand years, and is considered to be one of the safest ingredients in the traditional pharmacopoeias. The studies on Boluoke® showed that when taken at high dosage, some people may experience nausea, diarrhea, bloating, skin itch/rash, which resolved when the product was stopped.

Can Boluoke® be taken with other enzyme products?

There is a theoretical possibility that Boluoke® may be cleaved and rendered ineffective by other enzymes, so we currently do not recommend taking Boluoke® with another enzyme product at the same time. If you do have to take other enzyme products while on Boluoke®, try to space more time between the dosing of the two enzyme products (i.e. at least 2 hours).

How is Boluoke® different from other products that
contain lumbrokinase?

Boluoke® is the only lumbrokinase that has been thoroughly researched and its enzymatic strength is standardized. Other lumbrokinase products currently on the market often are citing Boluoke®s credentials and research, and are not disclosing the enzymatic strength of their lumbrokinase. On the raw material market, the price of lumbrokinase can vary by up to 15 folds, and the enzymatic strengths of various lumbrokinase also differ greatly.

In addition, lumbrokinase is a preparation containing multiple enzyme fractions, and the extraction and purification methods would determine the final compositions of the various enzyme fractions. Therefore, different products would have different lumbrokinase compositions and cannot be considered the same. This is also the reason why Boluoke® does not significantly affect blood tests like prothrombin time (PT) or activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), while other lumbrokinase products may affect the test results.

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