It’s exactly why we consulted longevity expert and Harvard geneticist David Sinclair, Ph.D., on this episode of the mindbodygreen podcast. He’s accomplished years upon years of research on how to treat rare diseases and promote longevity, but as COVID-19 has spread around the globe, he’s shifted his focus to how we can alleviate symptoms and increase survival. Since even before the coronavirus pandemic, our vitamin D levels have been less than satisfactory, says Sinclair. Which is something to consider, as our immune cells depend on vitamin D to function properly. When we have inadequate levels of the sunshine vitamin, our immune systems can take quite a hit. That’s why “people who have about 40 to 60 ng/mL per milliliter of vitamin D in their blood tend to have the lowest mortality,” Sinclair mentions. “But they also do better when they get viral infections.” So during quarantine, you might want to load up on eggs and sardines (both vitamin D-rich foods) or try supplementing with the vitamin. However, Sinclair mentions that it is possible to overdo it. “It’s possible to have too much vitamin D,” he says, so you’ll want to make sure you’re in that 40 to 60 ng/mL sweet spot. Sinclair is currently taking it, himself, as a preventive (you can consume it in supplement form), but he mentions that even if he did catch the disease, taking it might help him restore that sense of smell. While we always want to keep our NAD levels up, we especially don’t want them to rapidly decline with COVID-19: “It does two bad things,” Sinclair says. “One, the immune system might not function really well, which can lead to that hyperimmune cytokine storm. And the second is that sirtuins, the protectors of your body, also need NAD—without it, they won’t fight the infection as well.” That’s where the sauna comes in. Evidence suggests, says Sinclair, that this type of hormesis correlates with improved cardiovascular disease and immunity. “It makes a lot of sense that saunas can be beneficial during these times,” Sinclair continues. Of course, you can overdo hormesis (no matter what kind), so be careful you’re not pushing your body too hard. According to Sinclair, overdoing it can cause your body to backfire and actually become weaker instead. One way to ensure those longevity genes are up to par is to prioritize your health now—namely, diet and exercise. “The more obese you are, the more inflammation you have to begin with,” Sinclair says. “Even if you’re young and obese, it predisposes you to dying from things like infection.” So even while we’re in self-isolation, maintain your workout routine (there are plenty of easy at-home options to choose from) and try to eat a balanced diet. While a treat once in a while won’t be make-or-break, it’s more important now than ever to make sure your body is strong and ready to fight whatever virus or infection may come your way. After all: “Your health matters,” Sinclair tells me. “Not just for the future, but right now.” Enjoy this episode! And don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or Spotify!
