Cleveland Clinic: Use of melatonin may help prevent Covid-19
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… an interesting finding
Melatonin is something that each of us has since it is a hormone produced by our bodies. Today, many people use it to help them sleep and rest.
However, in what was a surprising finding for me, researchers at Cleveland Clinic and elsewhere have found that those who are using melatonin could have inadvertently been helping them avoid the coronavirus, Covid-19.
My cousin mentioned this to me yesterday, and so I looked at the findings. They are interesting.
Cleveland Clinic study
Since the study itself is very scientific, I had to read an analysis of it, and here is part of that,
According to a Cleveland Clinic study, melatonin may help prevent COVID-19 or aid in the treatment of COVID-19 due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Researchers found that melatonin reduced the likelihood of study participants getting COVID-19 by 28%. Among Black participants — a population disproportionately affected by the disease — infection likelihood was reduced by 52%.
Another study found that taking melatonin to improve sleep in the 2 weeks prior to vaccination could help ensure that the vaccine is taken in the midst of optimal sleep conditions — when your immune system is at its best. Additionally, using melatonin for at least 4 weeks after receiving the vaccine may enhance the body’s immune response to the vaccine and even increase the length of time a person has immunity to COVID-19 after being vaccinated.
“Can melatonin help prevent Covid-19?” Sharp.com, March 22, 2021
More research is needed
The study emphasized that researchers need more time to study the relationship,
According to Dr. Victoria Sharma, who is the medical director of the Sharp Grossmon Hospital Sleep Disorder Center, many more people started using melatonin during Covid because of the stress related to Covid, including working from home or being in isolation.
However, she did emphasize that the research is in its early stages,
However, according to Dr. Sharma, it is important to remember that COVID-19 is a new disease and there is still much more to learn about it. While melatonin may be helpful in improving sleep or may provide anti-inflammatory effects beneficial in treating COVID-19, some of the studies seem to contradict one another.
“Getting better sleep improves your immunity, which can help the vaccine be more effective,” she says. “However, some studies found that melatonin may help fight COVID-19 by suppressing an overactive immune response. This leads me to think that taking melatonin during the time you’re being vaccinated could actually be counterproductive.”
Dr. Sharma suggests that more time and more research are needed to determine how melatonin might be of use in preventing COVID-19. And the National Institutes of Health (NIH) agrees, noting that current research looking at the effects of melatonin on COVID-19 is in the early stages, with just a few randomized controlled trials in progress.
“Can melatonin help prevent Covid-19?” Sharp.com, March 22, 2021
I have discovered that melatonin helps me sleep. I awake rested and feeling so much better than I do without it. However, it does work with everybody.
Still, after reading this, I feel a little better about my chances of avoiding Covid entirely, even with the vaccinations. I had no idea of the immunity ties.
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