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Melatonin is used for a good night’s sleep. It has been known for a long time. It turns out, however, that melatonin may have a much greater impact on our health than previously assumed. Scientists formulate theses that melatonin not only has hypnotic properties, but also supports and regenerates the immune system, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. For this reason, theses regarding its recommendation as a support in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 viral infection are being raised more and more often.
- Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland. Its appropriate level allows us to fall asleep easily and sleep well, from which we wake up refreshed
- In times of pandemic, many people complain of sleep problems. Therefore, melatonin was included in further studies. The first suggestions indicate that it may be a support in the treatment of COVID-19
- From research published in PLOS Biology shows that in people using melatonin, the risk of a positive COVID-19 test was 30 percent. lower than in people who did not use melatonin
- Melatonin can also be used in the treatment of insomnia and disturbances of consciousness in people suffering from COVID-19 – according to scientists’ reports
- You can find more up-to-date information on the TvoiLokony home page
Melatonina reguluje problemy ze snem
Sleep is the key to good health. Long-term sleep disturbance can lead to a number of serious diseases, including obesity, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and a weakened immune system. Good-quality sleep is due, among others, to melatonin and its appropriate levels at night. It is a natural hormone mainly produced by the pineal gland, mainly at night. Thanks to melatonin, it is easier to fall asleep in the evening, sleep without waking up, thanks to which we feel refreshed in the morning. Worse when melatonin production is disturbed. This can occur as a result of aging, changes in time zones, shift work, and lifestyle.
Unfortunately, the circadian rhythm of sleep and wakefulness is more and more disrupted today. Since the beginning of the pandemic caused by the SARS-COV-2 virus, psychiatrists have been alerting that patients complain of insomnia, problems with falling asleep and waking up at night. It has to do with anxiety, a loss of economic and health security, and a change in daily habits. This leads to a disturbance of the circadian rhythms of physiological processes – including the rhythm of sleep and wakefulness, the secretion of hormones, and the activity of the nervous system. Melatonin may be a help for sleep problems caused by the disruption of daily activities forced by the exacerbations related to the pandemic. Artificially obtained melatonin in the treatment of falling asleep disorders is usually used one hour before bedtime for a period of 3-6 weeks in a dose of 3-5 mg (immediate-release melatonin) or 2 mg (slow-release melatonin).
It also turns out that melatonin may be used as a support in the treatment of COVID19 infections. The research conducted at the Clevelend Clinic and published in PLOS Biology shows that in people using melatonin, the risk of a positive COVID-19 test was 30 percent. lower than in people who did not use melatonin. While additional research is needed, preliminary results suggest that melatonin may be used to prevent COVID-19. Cases with serious symptoms such as sepsis, neurological and immune diseases were also analyzed and found that melatonin can alleviate their symptoms.
Melatonin can also be used to treat insomnia and disturbances of consciousness in people suffering from COVID-19. In this case, it is usually administered in doses of 5-10 mg. Importantly, due to the high safety of its use, melatonin can be used in patients at risk of respiratory failure (caused by infection or sleep apnea syndrome), while other hypnotics, although safe in healthy people, could pose too much of a risk. Melatonin can also be used by people over 55, in whom the level of this hormone decreases with age. One hypothesis is even that the mild course of COVID-19 in children is due to the high level of melatonin secretion at this age.
Melatonin strengthens the immune system and protects against its aging
As time goes on, our immune system’s resistance begins to decline, as does melatonin production. This can happen around the age of 30 or 40. One study found that mice that received melatonin also produced more immune bodies, or “grew younger” in a sense. Melatonin can regenerate the immune system, rejuvenate it, and release energy. On the one hand, melatonin supports the functioning of the immune system, and on the other – in the situation of COVID-19 – it reduces its activity. Why is this happening?
SARS-COV2 is a virus that causes the immune system to over-activate. This is called a cytokine storm in which too many immune cells cause them to attack their own body. A cytokine storm can lead to acute lung injury (ALI), respiratory failure (ARDS). The supplementary use of melatonin can significantly reduce the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8) and increase the level of anti-inflammatory cytokines – which in turn stabilizes the immune system. Melatonin improves the proliferation and maturation of T and B lymphocytes, granulocytes and monocytes.
Melatonin sweeps away free radicals
Melatonin, in addition to its anti-inflammatory effect, is also a kind of shield that protects the body against oxidants. It activates such antioxidants as catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and at the same time reduces the level of oxidative enzymes such as nitric oxide synthase. Melatonin not only scavenges oxidants from the body, but also reduces their formation by improving the circulation of electrons at the cellular level.
Melatonin is anti-inflammatory. And it protects the lungs!
Melatonin works against inflammatory diseases in many ways. For example, it supports the production of sirtuins (SIRT1), proteins responsible for increasing the body’s energy and reducing inflammation or damage to the lungs. Additionally, melatonin activates enzymes that protect the lungs from damage. It protects mitochondria and helps maintain cellular balance that facilitates recovery. This is especially true for ventilator-dependent lung diseases, as is the case in acute COVID-19 cases. Studies have shown that melatonin increases the level of IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, improves oxygenation and reduces histological damage to the lungs.
Melatonin also helps to suppress NLRP3 inflammasomes which are associated with lung disease caused by infections. COVID-19 activates NLRP3 and enhances their action. Melatonin, on the other hand, reduces their level and significantly reduces the penetration of macrophages and neutrophils into the lungs.
What is the future of melatonin?
Melatonin is non-virucidal but has indirect antiviral effects due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-boosting properties. These features were emphasized in previous studies on the role of melatonin in the fight against, inter alia, with the Ebola virus or sepsis.
Today, research confirms that melatonin may be effective as an adjunct treatment in COVID-19 patients. It has a hypnotic effect, affects the regeneration of blood vessels and reduces inflammation. It can be used both prophylactically and in cases of developed disease. The importance of melatonin in preventing and treating COVID-19 requires additional research. However, it is known that melatonin has a high safety profile, as long as it is used in the right dose consulted with a doctor.
Read also:
- Melatonin – action, excess and deficiency of melatonin [WE EXPLAIN]
- How to sleep well during a pandemic. Does Melatonin Affect COVID-19?
- Facts and myths about melatonin, or what is worth knowing to finally get enough sleep?