Can airplane travel impact my health?
Circulatory issues can occur during periods of immobility, such as flights or even long days behind a desk. Certain circulatory issues can lead to clotting (known as DVT) which commonly affects the leg veins and occasionally the veins of the arms. Symptoms typically include swelling, pain, and redness of the affected limb. Long-term swelling and heaviness of the limb can possibly result due to damage of valves in the limb's veins. DVT is typically regarded as a medical emergency due to complications that can arise from its existence.
There are several factors that can lead to DVT, though one is more common that you may think. Those at risk for DVT are those with Hypercoagulability, smokers, pregnant women, and even travelers. News reports were released in the late 90's regarding the incidence of long-haul airline passengers and pilots developing DVT. It became apparent that even a perfectly healthy adult could develop DVT when the muscles in the legs were unused over a long period of time combined with dehydration that is typical with long flights.
The three main factors that can impact clot formation are an unhealthy blood vessel wall, thickened blood, and rate of flow. Immobilized limbs can create a scenario that slows the rate of blood flow in the lower extremities, creating a higher risk of this circulatory issue. Muscle expansion and contraction through simple movements such as standing up and walking, can increase the rate of blood flow in the lower extremities. It was therefore concluded that occasionally getting up mid-flight and walking about the cabin for a short periods of time would be beneficial for one's health during long flights. For surgery patients that are unable to stand, a similar result is sought by using air bladders that alternately inflate and deflate over the leg muscles that can increase blood flow up to 500%.
Those who are at risk for clotting, or who have suffered from a clot in the past have several options available to them. These options can typically range from a simple lifestyle change all the way to surgery, however the most common treatment is with blood thinning medications or even daily aspirin. Recently, the enzyme nattokinase was studied for its ability to reduce certain factors of blood clotting that are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular issues. The controlled study showed that administration of oral nattokinase decreased levels of the coagulation factors fibrinogen, factor VII and factor VIII thereby decreasing the risk of developing a thrombus.
Neprinol is a supplement containing a potent dose of nattokinase as well as serrapeptase, rutin, papain, bromelain and other protein-degrading enzymes. Nattokinase is an enzyme extracted from a popular Japanese fermented soybean food, while the other enzymes are from fruit and microbial sources. Neprinol was formulated to support healthy circulation, remove toxins and debris, improve immune function, as well as break down the protein fibrin.
Fibrin has a role in blood clotting and scar formation in the body. Taking Neprinol may help support healthy circulation by supporting healthy levels of coagulation factors including fibrinogen in the blood. The enzymes in Neprinol have also been shown in studies to support healthy inflammatory levels after exercise.