The story of fatherhood begins even before conception.

It is worth paying conscious attention to supporting male reproductive health already in the months before conception.

A scientifically formulated synergy of active ingredients

Owing to its exceptional complexity, in addition to its valuable plant active ingredients, EDNYX™ contains all the micronutrients for which the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded in its official scientific assessment that “their use contributes to normal fertility, spermatogenesis and reproduction, as well as to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood.”^EFSA

The world has changed.
Male fertility has not remained unaffected either.

Demographic challenges, the problems of infertility and the question of conscious family planning have received increasing attention in Western societies over the past century. In developed countries, one of the most marked changes of recent decades has been the postponement of parenthood; yet we now know that the success of having a child depends to roughly the same extent on the reproductive health of women and of men.

Although male age is less dominant in terms of fertility, it may nevertheless be significant with regard to sperm quality and certain reproductive risks.

Male reproductive health requires more attention today than ever before.

From the perspective of reproductive health, the data concerning men are particularly noteworthy. According to large international studies, men’s average sperm concentration and total sperm count have decreased significantly over the past fifty years or so. A large meta-analysis processing data from several decades indicated an approximately 50% decline in sperm concentration between 1973 and 2018, while the decline in total sperm count was even greater. Although these results do not mean that male infertility has increased to the same extent, they suggest that real, measurable changes have occurred in male reproductive health.

Conception is a shared matter. So are the challenges.

There is probably no single cause
behind this unfavourable trend. Research is investigating, among other things, the possible role of lifestyle factors, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, environmental pollutants, endocrine-disrupting compounds, heat exposure and certain metabolic diseases. Oxidative stress is also a key area of research, as sperm cells are particularly sensitive to oxidative damage. According to the WHO, approximately one in six people is affected by a fertility problem during their lifetime, which is why conscious family planning is more important today than ever before.

It would be a mistake to treat the period before conception solely as a matter for women.

The history of prenatal vitamins was essentially rooted in protecting the woman and the developing embryo, rather than in the joint reproductive preparation of the couple. The decisive turning point came with folic acid, when it became certain that adequate periconceptional folic acid intake significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects. This development, however, had a peculiar consequence: preconception nutritional preparation – that is, preparing nutritionally before conception – practically became the woman’s “task”, a female privilege. As a result, the “planning a baby = women’s vitamins” mindset became embedded for decades in both healthcare communication and consumer thinking.

The biological basis for involving men is also clear.

At the moment of fertilisation, the paternal and maternal genetic material take an equal part in creating the new embryo, while the quality of male germ cells is not constant: sperm production is continuous, and a complete human spermatogenesis takes approximately 74 days. This means that the two to three months before conception are a biologically meaningful preparation period for men as well, during which lifestyle, certain environmental exposures, illnesses and other modifiable factors may influence the environment of sperm production. A male preconception approach therefore means that preparing for successful conception has two biological sides and two participants.

Ladies!

It is worth paying conscious attention to male reproductive health in the months before conception, as the formation and maturation of sperm is a long process. If you are planning the future together, prepare for it together too. Think of him too – long before he becomes a father.

As men, we too can do something to prepare for the moment when we may become fathers. Today, men have the opportunity to consciously support their bodies in the months before conception.
On this journey, EDNYX™ can be
our companion.

Ingredients

Below you can read detailed information about the ingredients of EDNYX™.

Below you can read detailed information
about the ingredients
of EDNYX™.

Selenium

Selenium: the vital trace element of reproduction

Selenium is an essential trace element that plays a role in the function of several important enzymes and is thus also part of the body’s antioxidant defence system. It contributes to the proper functioning of antioxidant enzymes that protect cells – such as glutathione peroxidases – thereby contributing to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.^{EFSA 277, 283, 286, 410, 1289, 1290, 1291, 1292, 1293, 1751}

Selenium also contributes to the maintenance of male reproductive function, in particular by contributing to normal spermatogenesis.^{EFSA 396} It contributes to the normal function of the immune system and also contributes to normal thyroid function, as it is involved in the conversion of thyroid hormones.^{EFSA 278, 1750, 279, 282, 286, 410, 1289, 1290, 1291, 1292, 1293}

The role of selenium in male reproduction has been evaluated in several human clinical studies. In randomised, placebo-controlled trials, selenium supplementation resulted in favourable changes in several sperm parameters, particularly in combination with NAC. Based on the overall picture, the clinical evidence for selenium relates primarily to sperm production and the functional parameters of sperm.

The selenium used in EDNYX™ tablets thus supports several interrelated physiological processes that are key to cell protection, immunity, hormonal balance and reproductive health alike.

Zinc

Zinc: an essential trace element for supporting hormonal balance and reproductive health

Zinc is an essential trace element that plays a central role in numerous physiological processes, particularly in hormonal regulation, cell division and immune function.

According to scientific data, adequate zinc status contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood^{EFSA 301}, which is an important factor for male sexual function and overall vitality.

Furthermore, zinc is also essential for reproductive health: it contributes to normal fertility and reproduction.^{EFSA 297, 300} In addition, zinc contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress, including in the reproductive system.^{EFSA 294, 1758}

The role of zinc in male reproduction has been analysed in several clinical studies and meta-analyses. According to earlier pooled data, lower zinc levels are often measured in the seminal plasma of men with fertility problems, and in some studies zinc supplementation improved sperm motility, the proportion of normal morphology and ejaculate volume.

L-arginine, L-citrulline

Recognition of the role of nitric oxide

Nitric oxide was the “molecule of the year” in 1992, and its discoverers and those who described its physiological role received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1998. L-arginine is a semi-essential amino acid, which the body can produce only under certain circumstances. As a starting material for nitric oxide synthesis, L-arginine has numerous beneficial properties. Increasing its level in the body stimulates the production of nitric oxide.¹ This physiological link is the reason why L-arginine has long been the focus of research into male vitality and performance. In modern formulas, L-arginine often appears as an ingredient that fits, in a physiologically well-founded way, into the concept of supporting circulatory comfort, physical performance and male vitality.

In the field of male reproductive physiology, the role of L-arginine is also of interest. According to some studies, L-arginine intake may have a positive effect on parameters related to sperm motility and functional status, which is consistent with the known role of NO signalling and microcirculation. These data currently relate primarily to laboratory and intermediate clinical endpoints^{2, 3, 4}, but they contribute to the favourable scientific picture that has made L-arginine a common ingredient of complex formulas supporting men’s health.

Overall, L-arginine is a classic, well-known and scientifically well-founded ingredient, positioned at the meeting point of modern nutritional science and the demand for male vitality. Its value lies in the fact that, building on physiological mechanisms, it fits perfectly into the EDNYX™ tablet’s concept of supporting performance, circulatory comfort and general well-being.

Semmelweis University, Az orvosi élettan tankönyve [Textbook of Medical Physiology], Fonyó Attila, 2011
Schachter A. et al., 1973, The role of arginine in male infertility, A. Schachter, J. Goldman, J. Zukerman, Fertility and Sterility
Stanislavov R. et al., 2002, L-arginine and male infertility, International Journal of Andrology
Aydin S. et al., 2015, L-arginine supplementation and sperm motility in infertile men, Andrologia

Coenzyme Q10

Energy at the cellular level, vitality you can feel.

Coenzyme Q10 is a fundamental endogenous regulator of mitochondrial energy conversion, redox balance and the physical and chemical stability of membranes, without which efficient cellular energy production and resistance to oxidative stress could not be sustained.¹ The body synthesises coenzyme Q10 endogenously, but the rate of synthesis may decrease with age and under oxidative or metabolic load. It occurs in the highest concentrations in tissues with high energy demands, such as the heart, liver, kidneys and testes. In the testes, it is relevant because of the high-energy mitochondrial activity and the additional energy demands of cellular functions.

Based on the totality of available results from several randomised, placebo-controlled trials and a few meta-analyses, coenzyme Q10 supplementation may show favourable changes in certain sperm parameters, particularly in motility and, according to some studies, in concentration as well.^{2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

Cited medical university textbooks and clinical trials:

Gyires Klára – Fürst Zsuzsanna: A farmakológia alapjai [Fundamentals of Pharmacology], 2011: 232-246.258-287., Semmelweis University
Coenzyme Q10 treatment in infertile men with idiopathic asthenozoospermia: a placebo-controlled, double-blind randomized trial — G. Balercia, E. Buldreghini, A. Vignini, L. Tiano, F. Paggi, S. Amoroso, G. Ricciardo-Lamonica, M. Boscaro, A. Lenzi, G.P. Littarru
Coenzyme Q10 improves sperm motility and antioxidant status in infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenospermia — Ahmed T. Alahmar
The impact of two doses of coenzyme Q10 on semen parameters and antioxidant status in men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia — Ahmed T. Alahmar
Coenzyme Q10 and male infertility: a systematic review — G. Salvio et al.
Coenzyme Q10 treatment in infertile men with idiopathic asthenozoospermia … (pooled data) — R. Lafuente et al.

L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine

Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) is the acetylated form of L-carnitine, a naturally occurring compound involved in the regulation of energy metabolism. The body’s carnitine pool derives partly from its own synthesis and partly from food. Carnitine is found in particularly large amounts in the muscles and the heart, but it also plays an important role in the male reproductive system. The presence of the acetyl group modifies the properties of the molecule, influencing its tissue distribution and metabolic processes. The fundamental task of the carnitine system is to ensure the entry of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria. There, the beta-oxidation of fatty acids contributes to the production of ATP, i.e. energy that cells can use. Carnitine acts as a “transport vehicle” in this process, while acetyl-L-carnitine is involved in the turnover of acetyl groups and in maintaining the balance of mitochondrial metabolism.

According to andrology and reproductive physiology textbooks^{1, 2}, the concentration of carnitine is particularly high in the epididymis, the site of sperm maturation. As part of the microenvironment there, it is linked to the energy demands of maturation, the functioning of membranes and the development of motility. Reduced carnitine status or disorders of carnitine metabolism may therefore be associated with abnormalities in sperm motility and maturation processes.

Carnitine and clinical studies – what does science say?

Based on clinical studies, acetyl-L-carnitine – especially in combination with L-carnitine – may favourably influence sperm motility, progressive motility and vitality. Some research has also observed an improvement in the proportion of normally shaped sperm and a reduction in DNA fragmentation. These results point to a promising role for carnitine derivatives in supporting sperm function and quality.

Andrology: Male Reproductive Health and Dysfunction. Nieschlag, E., Behre, H.M., Nieschlag, S. (Eds.) Andrology: Male Reproductive Health and Dysfunction, Springer, 3rd ed., 2010.
Knobil & Neill’s Physiology of Reproduction, Plant, T.M., Zeleznik, A.J. (Eds.). Knobil and Neill’s Physiology of Reproduction, 4th ed., Academic Press, 2015.

N-acetylcysteine

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an acetylated derivative of the natural amino acid L-cysteine. Chemically, it is a sulphur-containing molecule that is readily converted into cysteine in the body. For this reason, it plays an important role in the formation of glutathione, one of the central antioxidant molecules of cells. Cysteine is one of the limiting precursors of glutathione synthesis; its intake may therefore increase the amount of cysteine available in cells, which indirectly supports glutathione formation and the redox balance of cells. The possible role of N-acetylcysteine in relation to male vitality and the physiology of male reproductive functions has been investigated in several experimental models. Researchers have linked the observed effects to, among other things, the reduction of oxidative stress, the support of the antioxidant defence system of cells and the partial preservation of nitric oxide-mediated vascular signalling.^1,2

Overall, the N-acetylcysteine in EDNYX™ tablets is a well-studied, biochemically active molecule that acts primarily as a source of cysteine and as a redox-active compound. Its significance lies mainly in the fact that it may influence the antioxidant system of cells and the redox state of proteins, which is important for numerous physiological processes.

“N-acetylcysteine Ameliorates the Erectile Dysfunction Caused by Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia: Partly Involvement of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress” (Zhu et al., 2015).
“N-acetylcysteine ameliorates erectile dysfunction in rats with hyperlipidemia by inhibiting oxidative stress and corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells phenotypic modulation” (Ding et al., Asian Journal of Andrology, 2024); Knobil and Neill’s Physiology of Reproduction, 4th ed., Academic Press, 2015.

Maca root

Maca root extract: tradition, research, nature

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) – a root of Andean origin whose possible effects, including adaptation, vitality and the body’s adaptation to physical exertion, are the subject of intense scientific interest. Maca is a high-altitude plant of the Peruvian Andes, traditionally used as a food and as a tonic. The root contains more than a hundred bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, glucosinolates, macaenes and macamides, which exert physiological effects at the level of endogenous energy metabolism and neuroendocrine regulation. The literature has revealed possible links between NO-mediated physiological processes and certain components of maca. In traditional Andean medicine, the plant was used for purposes related to supporting male vitality and performance, and there is growing interest in its constituents in human physiological studies as well. In light of all this, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) currently lists the following health claim as “on hold”: “Increases sexual desire, acts as a natural aphrodisiac.” ^{EFSA ONHOLD 2838}

Shilajit

Shilajit: the sweat of the mountains

Shilajit is a unique, resinous substance rich in minerals and organic compounds, found primarily in the high-altitude rocky areas of the Himalayas, but also occurring in other high mountain ranges. It forms over a long period of time as a result of the decomposition of plant matter and microorganisms, and in the summer heat it seeps out of the rocks as a dark brown or black layer with a resinous consistency.

Shilajit is one of the best-known and most highly prized substances of Ayurvedic medicine, used for millennia to enhance vitality and slow down the ageing process. According to tradition, it is also called the “sweat of the mountains” or the “nectar of the gods”, and it is credited with tonic, strengthening effects.

The shilajit in EDNYX™ tablets is exceptionally rich: it contains more than 80 types of minerals in ionic form, as well as humic acids and fulvic acid, which, according to the literature, can be linked to nutrient absorption and cellular metabolism. Thanks to its humic and fulvic acid content, it also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, which may contribute to protecting endothelial function, supporting nitric oxide signalling and improving microvascular circulation. In light of all this, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) currently lists the following health claim as “on hold”: “Shilajit supports male and female sexual functions.”¹

EFSA ONHOLD 2427

Fenugreek

A conscious choice for male vitality.

Fenugreek seed extract is a long-used plant-derived ingredient that has also attracted growing scientific interest in recent decades. The seeds have a complex phytochemical profile: they contain saponins (particularly diosgenin derivatives), soluble fibres (galactomannans), alkaloids and polyphenols. One of the main lines of research concerns the effect on metabolic processes: according to some studies, the soluble fibre content of fenugreek may influence carbohydrate absorption, while other studies have examined parameters related to lipid metabolism.

Scientific interest in hormonal effects is primarily linked to the steroid-like saponins it contains, which are structurally partly similar to the precursors of steroid hormones. In studies related to physical performance, these hormonal and metabolic effects are interlinked: some randomised human studies have shown changes in certain body composition and strength parameters among physically active men.^2,4 Further human studies with standardised fenugreek extracts have also examined testosterone levels, age-related androgen parameters and certain indicators of male sexual function and vitality.^1,3,4

Steels E, Rao A, Vitetta L. Physiological aspects of male libido enhanced by standardized Trigonella foenum-graecum extract. Phytotherapy Research. 2011;25(9):1294–1300.
Wilborn CD, Taylor LW, Greenwood M, et al. Effects of a purported aromatase and 5alpha-reductase inhibitor on hormone profiles in college-age men. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. 2010;20(6):457–465.
Rao A, Steels E, Inder WJ, Abraham S, Vitetta L. A specialised Trigonella foenum-graecum extract reduces age-related symptoms of androgen decrease in healthy middle-aged and older men. Aging Male. 2016;19(2):134–142.
Wankhede S, Mohan V, Thakurdesai P. Beneficial effects of fenugreek glycoside supplementation in male subjects during resistance training: a randomized controlled pilot study. Phytotherapy Research. 2016.

Pine bark extract

A polyphenol-rich plant extract in a modern formula.

Pine bark extract is a plant ingredient derived primarily from the bark of the maritime pine (Pinus pinaster), rich in polyphenols – especially proanthocyanidins. Through their redox-active properties, these compounds are linked to the oxidative balance of cells.

Standardised pine bark extracts have been studied in both human and preclinical studies, with particular regard to endothelial function, nitric oxide (NO)-related vascular signalling and microcirculation.^1-4 The endothelium is the inner cell layer of the vessel walls, which plays a key role in regulating vascular tone and blood flow. In some studies, pine bark polyphenols have been linked to endothelium-dependent vasodilation and NO-mediated vascular processes,^1,2 while human studies have also described changes in microcirculatory parameters.^3,4

The pine bark extract in EDNYX™ is thus a polyphenol-rich plant component whose constituents are the subject of research into oxidative balance and the physiological processes of vascular regulation.^1-4

Fitzpatrick DF, Bing B, Rohdewald P. Endothelium-dependent vascular effects of Pycnogenol. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 1998;32(4):509–515.
Liu X, Wei J, Tan F, Zhou S, Würthwein G, Rohdewald P. Pycnogenol improves endothelial function of hypertensive patients. Life Sci. 2004;74(7):855–862.
Cesarone MR, Belcaro G, Rohdewald P, et al. Improvement of microcirculation with Pycnogenol in chronic venous insufficiency. Angiology. 2006;57(5):569–576.
Steigerwalt RD, Belcaro G, Cesarone MR, et al. Pycnogenol improves microcirculation, retinal edema, and visual acuity in early diabetic retinopathy. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2009;25(6):537–540.

Vitamin D: 1000 international units
in the daily dose

We owe the discovery of vitamin D to the American biochemist Elmer McCollum. His research focused on the effect of diet on health. As a result of his research, the bone-related effects of vitamin D have been known since the 1920s. However, in recent years it has been confirmed that its role in the body is much more complex. Activated vitamin D is actually a steroid hormone, whose receptor can be detected in almost all cell types and has a proven role in regulating the transcription of more than 200 genes. Vitamin D levels decrease with age, and this decrease is inversely related to the activity and intensity of the physiological processes regulated by vitamin D.

Vitamin D occupies a unique place among micronutrients, as it is not only a vitamin but actually a steroid hormone, whose receptor can be detected in almost all cell types and has a proven role in regulating the transcription of more than 200 genes. Scientific studies have intensively investigated its role in several key areas, such as bone metabolism, the functioning of the immune system, and male muscle strength and sexual function. Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system. ^{EFSA 154 159}

In recent years, the relationship between vitamin D and fertility has become an intensively researched area of reproductive medicine. This is because vitamin D is a molecule with hormonal activity whose receptors can be detected in numerous reproductive tissues. In men, the vitamin D receptor is present in various cell types of the testis as well as in the sperm cells themselves, which provides a biological basis for assuming that vitamin D may be involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis and sperm function.^1-4

Among the proposed mechanisms, influencing sperm function plays a prominent role. Vitamin D may affect intracellular calcium flux, which plays an important role in sperm motility and functional activity. In addition, human studies have also examined the associations between vitamin D status, sperm parameters and reproductive hormones, although the results are not consistent in every respect.^1-4 Randomised clinical trials have also evaluated the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on sperm parameters and reproductive hormones.^1-4

Overall, the activated vitamin D3 used in EDNYX™ tablets is a micronutrient with diverse effects and hormonal activity, whose role in regulating the immune system and maintaining vascular functions is being widely studied.

Blomberg Jensen M, Lawaetz JG, Petersen JH, Juul A, Jørgensen N. Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Semen Quality, Reproductive Hormones, and Live Birth Rate: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2020;53:102529.
Amini L, Mohammadbeigi R, Vafa M, Haghani H, Vahedian-Azimi A, Karimi L, et al. Evaluation of the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on quantitative and qualitative parameters of spermograms and hormones in infertile men: a randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2020;53:102529.
Maghsoumi-Norouzabad L, Zare Javid A, Mansoori A, et al. The effects of Vitamin D3 supplementation in Spermogram and endocrine factors in asthenozoospermia infertile men: a randomized, triple blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology. 2021;19(1):102.
Padmapriya D, Archana R, Sharma N, et al. Effects of vitamin D3 supplementation in male reproductive function: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Current Topics in Nutraceutical Research. 2021;20(2):334–339.

Taurine

Taurine is a sulphur-containing amino acid derivative that occurs in high concentrations in many tissues and is involved in several physiological processes, such as osmoregulation, maintaining the ion balance of cells and regulating calcium signalling. It also has antioxidant and cytoprotective properties, through which it may contribute to protecting cells against oxidative stress. Several studies have investigated its effects related to male vitality and reproductive functions. According to experimental observations, taurine may play a role in regulating vascular function, particularly in maintaining endothelial function and nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation.¹ Since the proper functioning of blood vessels is key to the physiology of male reproductive functions, there is also scientific interest in taurine in this area. In certain cases, the use of taurine has also resulted in favourable changes in parameters related to corpus cavernosum function.^1,2

Overall, the taurine used in EDNYX™ is a widely studied, biologically active molecule that may play a role in the energy and redox processes of cells and in the regulation of vascular function.

“Taurine Supplementation Improves Erectile Function in Rats with Streptozotocin-Induced Type 1 Diabetes via Amelioration of Penile Fibrosis and Endothelial Dysfunction” (Ruan Y. et al., The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2016).
“Taurine Enhances the Sexual Response and Mating Ability in Aged Male Rats” (Zhang et al., Amino Acids, 2013)

Folic acid (vitamin B9)

Vitamin B9, or folate, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a fundamental role in one-carbon metabolism, nucleotide synthesis and cell division.^1,2 These processes are particularly important in tissues where intensive cell formation takes place. This is of particular significance for male reproduction, as sperm production requires continuous cell division, DNA synthesis and maturation processes. Folate is also involved in methylation processes and in the functioning of the homocysteine–methionine cycle, which are also important for genetic and epigenetic regulation.

What do clinical studies show?

Several studies and meta-analyses have found an association between adequate folate status and certain sperm parameters, particularly with regard to sperm concentration.³ However, the clinical results are not consistent: in a large-scale randomised trial, a combination of high-dose folic acid and zinc did not significantly improve fertility outcomes.

Based on current evidence, folate can therefore be regarded primarily as an essential micronutrient for normal cell division, amino acid metabolism and homocysteine metabolism.

Fox JT, Stover PJ. Folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism. Vitam Horm. 2008;79:1–44.
Lan X, Field MS, Stover PJ. Cell cycle regulation of folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Syst Biol Med. 2018;10(6).
Irani M, Amirian M, Sadeghi R, Lez JL, Latifnejad Roudsari R. The Effect of Folate and Folate Plus Zinc Supplementation on Endocrine Parameters and Sperm Characteristics in Sub-Fertile Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Urol J. 2017;14(5):4069–4078.

In addition

Other valuable ingredients of
the EDNYX^TM tablet:

*Product images are for illustrative purposes only,
and actual product appearance may vary.