Scientists from the Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School have conducted a study which, they claim, shows promise in enhancing the resilience of older people so that they can better combat the coronavirus.
The report in The Telegraph quotes the scientists as stating that: "It may be possible to reset the age of cells and tissues so currently high-risk individuals can respond to viral infections as though they were young."
The mortality rate for those who contract Covid-19 is estimated at 8 per cent among those aged between 70 and 79, and increases to around 15 per cent for those over 80. According to the scientists in the Harvard study, aging affects the immune system in two main ways. Firstly, the body becomes less capable of recognizing pathogens; secondly, the body responds with "systemic inflammation" which is an overzealous but ineffective and often damaging response to the hostile invader.
The study suggests that giving elderly people "NAD boosters" containing a form of Vitamin B3 can enhance their immune function, and would also increase the efficacy of any vaccine against the coronavirus, assuming that one is found.
The study has yet to be peer-reviewed.