Boosting Your Body's Natural Energy Source May Help with Infertility
Infertility is a common problem that affects millions of couples worldwide. In the United States, approximately 6% of married women aged 15 to 44 years are unable to conceive after one year of trying. While there are many causes of infertility, recent research has shown that boosting your body's natural energy source may help improve fertility.
What is ATP?
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the primary energy currency in cells. It plays a critical role in cellular processes such as metabolism, muscle contraction, and cell signaling. The human body produces ATP through a process called oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria – organelles found within cells that produce energy.
How does ATP affect fertility?
Research has shown that low levels of ATP can lead to poor egg quality and decreased ovarian function in women. For example, studies have found that women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common cause of infertility, have lower levels of mitochondrial DNA and reduced ATP production compared to healthy controls.
Similarly, men with low sperm motility or count often have impaired mitochondrial function and reduced ATP production in their sperm cells. This can result from various factors such as aging, smoking, obesity or exposure to environmental toxins.
Moreover, researchers also suggest that increasing cellular energy by supplementing with compounds like Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) or Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) could enhance fertility outcomes for both men and women.
CoQ10: A Promising Supplement
CoQ10 is an antioxidant produced naturally by our bodies which helps convert food into energy at the cellular level. Some studies suggest it may improve reproductive health by enhancing ovarian reserve and oocyte maturation while reducing oxidative stress - harmful molecules known as free radicals- on eggs[1].
In addition to its potential benefits for female fertility[2], CoQ10 may also improve sperm quality and motility in men. A 2013 study found that men who supplemented with CoQ10 had a significant increase in sperm count, motility, and morphology compared to those who did not[3].
NAD+: A New Frontier
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is another molecule involved in cellular energy production. It plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism, DNA repair, and cell signaling.
Recent studies have shown that NAD+ levels decline with age, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and decreased ATP production. Researchers are now investigating whether supplementing with NAD+ precursors like nicotinamide riboside (NR) or nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) could help reverse these effects.
In animal studies[4], NR supplementation improved egg quality by increasing mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative stress on eggs. Another study showed that NMN administration increased the number of ovulated eggs while improving ovarian reserve in mice[5]. In male mice treated with NMN, researchers observed an improvement in spermatogenesis- the process of producing mature sperm cells- as well as enhanced fertility outcomes.
Future Advances
While research on ATP boosting supplements for fertility is still ongoing, some experts believe they hold promise as potential treatments for infertility caused by low energy levels.
However, more research is needed to determine optimal dosages and long-term safety profiles of these compounds before they can be recommended for clinical use. Moreover, it's important to note that infertility can have various causes beyond low energy levels such as hormonal imbalances or structural issues which require different treatment approaches.
As science advances further into this field of inquiry though new discoveries will likely emerge regarding how we might enhance our natural sources of energy through dietary interventions or other means so stay tuned!
References:
1 - Bentov Y et al., The Effects of Mitochondrial Functionality on Female Fertility and Preimplantation Embryo Development. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2018;9:505.
2 - Lisi F et al., Effect of Coenzyme Q10 supplementation on mitochondrial electron transport chain activity and mitochondrial oxidative stress in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2017;87(6):629-634.
3 - Safarinejad MR et al., The effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on semen parameters, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation in infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Urol. 2012;188(2):526-31.
4 - Zhang T et al., Nicotinamide riboside improves oocyte quality by enhancing mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative stress in aged mice. Aging Cell. 2020 Feb;19(2):e13093.
5 - Mills KF et al., Long-Term Administration of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Mitigates Age-Associated Physiological Decline in Mice.Cell Metab. 2016 Sep 13;24(3):795-806
*Note: this site does not provide medical opinions or diagnosis and should not be relied upon instead of receiving medical attention from a licensed medical professional.
