Receiving rewards for an activity one is naturally inclined to do and enjoys does not decrease intrinsic motivation to perform that activity.
"Dr. Fujita clarifies that when we receive rewards for something we are naturally inclined to do, meaning that we love, it does not reduce our motivation to do that thing." (said at 0:01:19)
Extensive meta-analytic evidence contradicts the claim that receiving rewards for naturally enjoyed activities does not reduce motivation to perform them. A classic body of research on the 'undermining effect' (or overjustification effect) demonstrates that introducing tangible, expected extrinsic rewards (such as money or prizes) for intrinsically interesting tasks significantly undermines subsequent free-choice intrinsic motivation and self-reported interest. A comprehensive meta-analysis of 128 experimental studies found that engagement-contingent (d = -0.40), completion-contingent (d = -0.36), and performance-contingent (d = -0.28) rewards significantly reduce free-choice intrinsic motivation, though positive verbal feedback (praise) can have an enhancing effect.
- contradicts: A meta-analytic review of experiments examining the effects of extrinsic rewards on intrin… (Psychological bulletin 1999) · cited 6897x in the literature
"A meta-analysis of 128 studies examined the effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation. As predicted, engagement-contingent, completion-contingent, and performance-contingent rewards significantly undermined free-choice intrinsic motivation (d = -0.40, -0.36, and -0.28, respectively), as did all rewards, all tangible rewards, and all expected rewards. Engagement-contingent and completion-contingent rewards also significantly undermined self-reported interest (d = -0.15, and -0.17), as did all tangible rewards and all expected rewards." (abstract, results, passage verified)
pubmedfull study (doi)
Nattokinase supplementation helps reduce LDL cholesterol.
"As a result, I decided to start supplementing with nattokinase, which can naturally help reduce LDL cholesterol, and it did." (said at 1:40:30)
Randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews/meta-analyses do not support the claim that standard nattokinase supplementation lowers LDL cholesterol. A 2023 meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that nattokinase monotherapy did not lower LDL cholesterol compared to controls (showing either no significant effect at higher doses or a slight increase at lower doses). In clinical trials, robust LDL-C reductions were observed only when nattokinase was co-formulated with red yeast rice (which contains monacolin K/lovastatin), rather than from nattokinase alone.
- contradicts: Combined nattokinase with red yeast rice but not nattokinase alone has potent effects on b… (Asia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition 2009) · cited 26x in the literature
"The mono formula showed no effects on blood lipids until month six, while the combined formula ameliorated all of measured lipids starting from month one... After controlling for baseline levels, only the combined group, but not mono group, showed a significant difference (p<0.0001) in TC, LDL-C and TC/HDL-C ratio when compared with the placebo group." (abstract, results)
pubmed - contradicts: Nattokinase atherothrombotic prevention study: A randomized controlled trial. (Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation 2021) · cited 26x in the literature
"After median 3 years of randomized treatment, annualized rate of change in CIMT and CAS did not significantly differ between nattokinase supplementation and placebo. Additionally, there was no significant effect of nattokinase supplementation on blood pressure or any laboratory determination." (abstract, results, passage verified)
pubmedfull study (doi) - contradicts: Nattokinase Supplementation and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-… (Reviews in cardiovascular medicine 2023) · cited 9x in the literature
"Relatively low total dosage of nattokinase had a negative effect on blood total cholesterol (MD [mean difference] = 5.27, 95% CI [confidence intervals]: 3.74 to 6.81, p < 0.00001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD = -2.76, 95% CI: -3.88 to -1.64, p < 0.00001), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD = 6.49, 95% CI: 0.83 to 12.15, p = 0.02)... but no significant differences were found in levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol." (abstract, results)
pubmedfull study (doi)