Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic, using AI, found that those who regularly took the sleep hormone melatonin were about 28 percent less likely to test positive for COVID—with Black patients showing an even greater reduced likelihood of 52 percent.
Through the use of artificial intelligence, results from a Cleveland Clinic led study suggests that melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and is commonly used as a sleep aid, may be a viable treatment option for COVID-19.
Melatonin supplements are commonly recommended by many health professionals to help induce sleep, according the the Cleveland Clinic. Research has found that taking melatonin in low doses is the most effective way to promote sleep if you are experiencing restlessness, sleeplessness or insomnia.
Cleveland Clinic researchers use large-scale electronic health records and network analysis to identify melatonin as possible COVID-19 treatment #datascience #covid19 #melatoninhttps://t.co/FhsjBeHjff
— Data Science Connect (@DataSciConnect) December 22, 2020
Melatonin naturally produced by our bodies
The hormone serotonin (which regulates mood, appetite and memory) is produced during the day and this changes to melatonin when it gets dark outside, Cleveland Clinic reports. Peak levels of melatonin are produced before 3 a.m., when it sharply decreases before natural daylight returns.
Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic were able to sort through data on over 27,000 patients in a COVID-19 registry to find any commonalities. Interestingly, results showed that those who regularly took melatonin were about 28 percent less likely to test positive for COVID—with Black patients showing an even greater reduced likelihood of 52 percent.
Researchers admit that they don’t entirely understand what “exact mechanisms” about melatonin provide extra protection against COVID, including whether or not it’s because patients are sleeping better, longer hours, the New York Post reports.
Well this is good news! I consume a lot of melatonin 😂 https://t.co/hkcSZ2xEfv
— Juliet Ames (@thebrokenplate) December 30, 2020
Some studies have shown that melatonin can reduce chronic and acute inflammation. And, a recent study from the University of Toronto published in the journal Diseases found that melatonin could help boost the efficacy of the coronavirus vaccine, calling it a potential “silver bullet” in the fight against the pandemic.
Health experts know that the coronavirus can trigger “a massive inflammatory reaction,” also known as a “cytokine storm,” in the body that can lead to permanent tissue damage, heart injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), organ failure and death, according to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine.
Melatonin can control and reverse this immune response, suggesting it may have beneficial effects in preventing or reducing the inflammation overload.
Short-term use of melatonin has relatively few side effects and is well-tolerated by the majority of people who take it, according to the Sleep Foundation. The most commonly reported side effects are daytime drowsiness, headaches, and dizziness, but these are experienced by only a small percentage of people who take melatonin.
References:
- https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/melatonin-a-promising-candidate-for-prevention-and-treatment-of-covid-19/
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/melatonin-how-much-should-i-take-for-a-good-nights-rest/#:~:text=It%20is%20sold%20over%20the%20counter%20in%20a,Advertising%20on%20our%20site%20helps%20support%20our%20mission.
- https://bestlifeonline.com/melatonin-covid/
- https://nypost.com/2020/12/29/scientists-study-melatonin-as-possible-covid-19-treatment/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
- https://www.miamiherald.com/news/coronavirus/article248150170.html
- https://www.sleepfoundation.org/melatonin