NADplus+ Complex and your immune system:
Never in our generation’s lifetime has our immune system been more important than in the current viral pandemic. Seldom has the constant emphasis of good lifestyle habits been more appropriate to support our immunity than now. These habits, amongst many other, include enough sleep, mild regular exercise, deepening of our relationships and spirituality as well as clean good eating habits. Complimenting a colourful plate of food’s role in immunity are the excellent combination of nutrients in the NADplus+ complex. Here is a quick overview of the nutrients inside the NADplus+ complex that plays a role in the defence against infections.
NAD+ as the core ingredient around which the complex revolves:
One of the unique properties of NAD+, a life-essential coenzyme which enhances cellular energy production, is its role in Redox biology. Respiratory viruses cause infections of the upper or lower respiratory tract and changes in redox homeostasis in infected cells are one of the key events that is linked to infection with respiratory viruses and linked to inflammation and subsequent tissue damage. Recent studies demonstrate this and it is a well known fact that NAD+ has a beneficial effect on changes to redox homeostasis, as induced by the different respiratory viruses. This effect of NAD+ against viral infections has recently been highlighted in these clinical trials. The role of good antioxidants to support the immune system has also been focused on in this same review.
NAD+ also plays a very important role in the expression of protein messengers named Sirtuins. Recent studies have pointed to mammalian Sirtuins (SIRTs) as important defence factors against viruses They have been described as “Evolutionarily Conserved Viral Restriction Factors .Therefore, Sirtuins have the ability to control numerous cellular pathways required throughout the viral life cycle and holds promise to have a broad impact in the field of infectious disease.
Vitamin D3:
Vitamin D3 can modulate the innate and adaptive immune responses. Deficiency in Vitamin D3 is associated with increased autoimmunity as well as an increased susceptibility to infections.
Scientists have suggested that vitamin D deficiency in the winter months may be the seasonal stimulus that triggers influenza outbreaks in the winter
Vitamin D3 has an integral role in protecting our DNA which is the target of viruses when they enter our cells.
Resveratrol:
Poor nutrition and physical inactivity can be a drawback of the Western lifestyle, and metabolic oxidative stress and systemic inflammation can be one of the consequences of it. This may challenge the immune system and if left unchecked, can result in fatigue and common colds and thereby lead to chronic diseases that may impair heart and brain health. Certain nutraceuticals like resveratrol are known to scavenge oxidative stress, reduce inflammation and help support a strong immune system. Resveratrol may even help to reduce nasal symptoms and may even help prevent respiratory infections.
Selenium:
Selenium plays an important role in the health of your immune system. This antioxidant helps lower oxidative stress in your body, which reduces inflammation and enhances immunity. Higher levels of selenium may help boost the immune systems of people with a compromised immune system.
Zinc:
Zinc is a mineral that’s important to the body in many ways. Zinc keeps the immune system strong and may reduce the number of upper respiratory infections. Zinc is especially well known for functioning as a shield support against many viral attacks.
Astaxanthin:
Astaxanthin is a red pigment found in different strains of algae, phytoplankton and plants. Astaxanthin is part of the carotenoid family of nutrients, like beta-carotene. Except astaxanthin is 54 times stronger than beta-carotene. And it’s 65 times stronger than vitamin C. It has many side-benefits such as being the strongest acting antioxidant known as well as being extremely beneficial for your eyes, central nervous system, brain, skin and immune system and for increasing sports performance & recovery. Natural astaxanthin seems to improve the immune response by increasing the number of antibody – producing cells. It may also protect immune cells against oxidative stress and membrane damage.
Vitamin C
Amongst the most well-known important nutrients aiding the immune system is Vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that helps boost the immune system. Infections lead to the activation of phagocytes, which in turn release oxidizing agents, also known as reactive oxidative species. These unstable molecules that contains oxygen easily reacts with other molecules in a cell. A build-up of reactive oxygen species in cells may cause damage to DNA, RNA, and proteins, and may cause cell death. Vitamin C as an cardinal anti-oxidant prevents damage to all cells, most importantly the immune cells
Vitamin C also helps encourage the production of white blood cells known as lymphocytes and phagocytes, which help protect the body against infection by attacking and destroying for example viruses