NAD+ Health Benefits

 A name for the 4th Baby Step in "Aging Gracefully" eludes me. The previous one is Adult Steps, but I want to go beyond it. I think "Anti-Aging Steps" could work, especially since my recommendations include cutting-edge techniques for longevity.

This then is my first entry into the 4th Step:

NAD+, or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is a coenzyme that is involved in many cellular processes, such as energy metabolism, DNA repair, and immune function. NAD+ levels decline with age, and this may contribute to various age-related diseases and conditions. Some of the potential health benefits of NAD Plus are:

• It may slow down aging by activating sirtuins, a group of proteins that regulate gene expression and cellular health.

• It may increase energy by enhancing mitochondrial function, the powerhouses of the cells.

• It may improve cognitive function by protecting neurons from oxidative stress and inflammation.

• It may reduce cholesterol by modulating lipid metabolism and lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol levels .

• It may reduce cancer risk by repairing DNA damage and preventing genomic instability.

The optimal dosage of NAD+ supplements is not yet established, as different forms of NAD precursors may have different bioavailability and efficacy. However, some studies have suggested that doses ranging from 100 mg to 1000 mg per day may be effective and safe for most people. The most common forms of NAD precursors are nicotinic acid (NA), nicotinamide riboside (NR), nicotinamide (NAM), and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). Each of these forms has its own advantages and disadvantages, such as side effects, cost, and absorption rate. Therefore, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any Niacin-related supplements.

My Long COVID Story, Part 1

My Long COVID Story, Part 1. Pun intended 

Before I begin, let me explain something. "Long COVID" doesn't mean you have the acute disease,  but rather that you have negative physical and mental sequelae that can appear a year or two or three afterwards. I first caught the damned virus in March of 2020, but looking back in hindsight, I believe my Long Story started 15 months later. Because of this timeframe, I will break this down into several posts.  I will also call my first acute episode "COVID1" and the second "COVID2." 

The symptoms of COVID1 were annoying but not severe: fever and chills; muscle and joint aches ("myalgias" and "arthralgias" respectively); some nasal congestion and clear discharge ("rhinorrhea"); a minor sore throat ("pharyngitis"); a loss of sense of taste; and a strange change in olfaction. Everything smelled like smoke, eerily reminiscent of the time I went into the charred shell of a neighbor's house destroyed by fire. I would often awaken in a panic, thinking that something was burning up in my room at Motel Hell in Milwaukee. Needless to say, I lost my sense of smell for everything else, and it hasn't fully recovered over three years later.

I just recently realized how this ties acute and long COVID together.