As for supplementation with NAD+, he feels the current laboratory research does not yet make a strong case for use of the supplement in humans. Of note, however, the NAD+ precursor vitamin nicotinamide riboside has been evaluated in healthy middle-aged and older adults and preliminary research indicates it is well tolerated and may reduce blood pressure and arterial stiffness.2
“That would be very helpful because our patients get atherosclerosis at such a young age,” agrees Dr. Thomas. However, he explains NAD+ is required by all cells in the body, and he is unclear how its supplementation would specifically benefit patients with lupus. Instead, he encourages his patients to supplement with vitamin D, turmeric and ginger—all of which have been associated with some positive benefits in clinical trials of patients with lupus.
Lara C. Pullen, PhD, is a medical writer based in the Chicago area.
References
- N Buang, L Tapeng, V Gray, et al. Type I interferons affect the metabolic fitness of CD8+ T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Nature Comm. 2021 Mar 31;12(1):1980.
- Martens CR, Denman BA, Mazzo MR, et al. Chronic nicotinamide riboside supplementation is well-tolerated and elevates NAD+ in healthy middle-aged and older adults. Nat Commun. 2018 Mar 29;9(1):1286.
