CO-ENZYME+

EIUS Fertility CO-ENZYME+ is a 2-a-day ingestible.

It is recommended that you take one capsule first thing in the morning and one capsule at lunch. It is best taken with food as coenzyme Q10 is best absorbed with fats1. Pair with a meal containing olive oil, avocado, oily fish or some nuts.

CO-ENZYME+ contains Nicotinamide Riboside Chloride and Coenzyme Q10 both support and maintain energy levels and production…. a perfect energy boost for the morning and to get you through the afternoon ….but best avoided in the later afternoon or evening to ensure it doesn’t interfere with sleep.

EIUS Fertility is based in Sydney, Australia.

CO-ENZYME+ is a formulation combining CoenzymeQ10 and NAD+ precursor vitamin, Nicotinamide Riboside, selenium and zinc to support reproductive system health.

CO-ENZYME+ contains Nicotinamide riboside chloride (NRC), a precursor vitamin to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and Coenzyme Q10 which acts as an antioxidant, which reduce free radicals formed in the body.

The two major physiologic actions of CoQ10 are (1) as a cofactor in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and (2) as an antioxidant. Because most cellular functions depend on an adequate supply of ATP, CoQ10 is essential for the health of virtually all human tissues and organs. Given the central role of CoQ10 in mitochondrial function and cellular antioxidant protection, its clinical applications are extensive. 14

Numerous studies have shown CoQ10 can reduce oxidative damage, DNA strand damage, LDL oxidation, and formation of lipid peroxides, thereby supporting its use as a general antioxidant. In particular, CoQ10 is often used to counteract the reduced synthesis of CoQ10 associated with aging. After the age of 35 to 40 years, humans slowly begin to lose their ability to synthesise CoQ10. CoQ10 plays a key role in energy production and is therefore essential for all energy dependent processes, including heart muscle contraction. Susceptibility to CoQ10 deficiency appears to be greatest in cells that are the most metabolically active, such as the brain and heart. 

 The mitochondria are the energy powerhouse inside all our cells which are dependent on coenzyme Q10. 8 The sperm and oocyte cells have a very high concentration of mitochondria because of the high energy demands of reproduction. The sperm cells need enough energy to find the egg and fertilize it, while the egg requires adequately functioning mitochondria and a lot of protection for oxidative stress for successful fertilization, and subsequently to undergo a complex range of processes to ultimately become an embryo and successfully implant.

CO-ENZYME+ contains the organic forms of both zinc and selenium, both essential minerals for supporting male and female reproductive system health. 

Zinc glycinate is the best absorbed form of zinc which supports reproductive health, regulates a healthy menstrual cycle and supports preconception health in females. Zinc  is also an essential trace mineral for oocyte maturation, egg activation, embryogenesis, implantation and placental development. 9

We use selenomethionine, an organic yeast derived form of the mineral selenium. In males or people who ejaculate, zinc protects sperm from oxidative damage and adequate zinc maintains normal sperm parameters. 7 The role of selenium in spermatogenesis and sperm motility is well established. 11

NAD+ stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. 12

Nicotinamide riboside is a precursor vitamin for NAD+. NAD+ is found in every cell in your body and is essential for creating cellular energy and maintaining the health of your cells. In short, it’s a coenzyme or “helper” molecule, binding to other enzymes to help cause reactions on the molecular level. 12 

NAD+ levels in the body will decline with age, which is why this critical molecule correlates with aging. 4

There are a few ways to increase NAD+ levels. NAD+ precursors are one. This is where nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and nicotinamide riboside Chloride (NRC) come into the picture.

Here's a quick (and less science-y) breakdown of why we use NRC instead of NMN:

NR can enter cells, NMN can’t. NMN must turn into NRC before it can enter a cell

There are human clinical trials to prove NR increases NAD+ levels in humans. NMN’s only published trials are in rats and mice.

NR is taken orally, NMN is mostly studied via intravenous injection
(IV). 12

NRC doesn’t cause flushing like other NAD+ precursor supplements, plus, it’s more easily absorbed by the body. 12

CO-ENZYME+ has been specifically formulated to support reproductive system health in male and females and support preconception health in healthy females. It can be taken by those who want to increase their daily intake of antioxidants such as zinc and coenzyme Q10 to reduce free radicals formed in the body. Additionally coenzyme Q10 supports energy production and maintains energy levels, while zinc maintains hair thickness and supports hair growth. It can be taken by those wanting to support general health and wellbeing.

You can absolutely take other supplements with CO-ENZYME+

CO-ENZYME+ can be taken alongside stimulatory cycle drugs. It has no known effect on detoxification nor  alter hormones. Do not take CO-ENZYME+ while on warfarin therapy without medical advice.

We recommend taking a prenatal multivitamin alongside CO-ENZYME+to obtain the recommended daily dose of folic acid and iodine. CO-ENZYME+ is specifically formulated to support reproductive system health but doesn’t contain folic acid or iodine.

Some researchers have hypothesised that ubiquinol is more “bioavailable.” Bioavailability is a term that refers to the ability of a drug or other substance to be absorbed and used by the body.

Majority of the research on CoQ10 in  both men and women has been using  ubiquinone. For this reason, (after a lot of compilation) we’ve stuck with the science and included ubiquinone in CO-ENZYME+.

There is no statistically significant difference in bioavailability between ubiquinol and ubiquinone.1 Even when consumed as ubiquinone, CoQ10 appears in the blood almost exclusively as ubiquinol, indicating that the body is capable of converting the antioxidant into its most effective form.

References

1. Pravst, I. et al. Comparative Bioavailability of Different Coenzyme Q10 Formulations in Healthy Elderly Individuals. Nutrients 12, 784 (2020).

2. Yang, L. et al. Systematic Understanding of Anti-Aging Effect of Coenzyme Q10 on Oocyte Through a Network Pharmacology Approach. Front. Endocrinol. 13, 813772 (2022).

3. Tian, X. & Diaz, F. J. Acute dietary zinc deficiency before conception compromises oocyte epigenetic programming and disrupts embryonic development. Dev. Biol. 376, 51–61 (2013).

4. Bertoldo, M. J. et al. NAD+ Repletion Rescues Female Fertility during Reproductive Aging. Cell Rep. 30, 1670-1681.e7 (2020).

5. Alahmar, A. T. et al. Coenzyme Q10, oxidative stress, and male infertility: A review. Clin. Exp. Reprod. Med. 48, 97–104 (2021).

6. Meyer-Ficca, M. L. et al. Low NAD+ Levels Are Associated With a Decline of Spermatogenesis in Transgenic ANDY and Aging Mice. Front. Endocrinol. 13, 896356 (2022).

7. Dimitriadis, F., Borgmann, H., Struck, J. P., Salem, J. & Kuru, T. H. Antioxidant Supplementation on Male Fertility—A Systematic Review. Antioxidants 12, 836 (2023).

8. Podolak, A., Woclawek-Potocka, I. & Lukaszuk, K. The Role of Mitochondria in Human Fertility and Early Embryo Development: What Can We Learn for Clinical Application of Assessing and Improving Mitochondrial DNA? Cells 11, 797 (2022).

9. Garner, T. B., Hester, J. M., Carothers, A. & Diaz, F. J. Role of zinc in female reproduction. Biol. Reprod. 104, 976–994 (2021).

10. Grieger, J. A. et al. Maternal Selenium, Copper and Zinc Concentrations in Early Pregnancy, and the Association with Fertility. Nutrients 11, 1609 (2019).

11. Lima, L. G. et al. Relation between Selenium and Female Fertility: A Systematic Review. Rev. Bras. Ginecol. E Obstetrícia RBGO Gynecol. Obstet. 44, 701–709 (2022).

12. Xie, N. et al. NAD+ metabolism: pathophysiologic mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Signal Transduct. Target. Ther. 5, 227 (2020).

13. Florou, P., Anagnostis, P., Theocharis, P., Chourdakis, M. & Goulis, D. G. Does coenzyme Q10 supplementation improve fertility outcomes in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology procedures? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials. J. Assist. Reprod. Genet. 37, 2377–2387 (2020).

14. Pizzorno JE & Murray MT, Textbook Of Natural Medicine 4th Ed. Elsevier Churchill Livingstone. 2012.pp.675-684