The Potential of NAD+ in the COVID Era

In the COVID-19 era, the popularity of immune-boosting nutritional supplements is skyrocketing. Among them, the anti-aging substance attracting attention from many scientists overseas is NMN, a precursor to NAD+. It gained popularity in Korea in 2020 after being featured in Harvard University professor David Sinclair's book, "The End of Aging."

According to a 2020 study published in the journal Elsevier, adding NMN and zinc to a nutritionally balanced diet may help alleviate symptoms of conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Additionally, another paper published in the Journal of Infection and Public Health found that increasing NAD+ levels in elderly people infected with COVID-19 had a positive effect on enhancing immune cell function by stabilizing telomeres (DNA fragments that determine the lifespan of cells). These premises imply that taking NMN before vaccination may alleviate symptoms in the event of COVID-19 infection.

The finding that NMN enhances immune cell function by increasing NAD+ levels is significant for governments in developing countries facing challenges with vaccine supply, as it offers a realistic potential response. This finding is significant because it suggests that working with non-governmental organizations like the World Food Programme (WFP) to secure supplies of zinc or NMN, which can help boost immunity, could buy time until a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available.

<References>

[1] World Health Organization (WHO)

[2] United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

[3] Journal of Infection and Public Health

[4] Elsevier Journal