In late 2020, more than half of the dozens of vaccines have been released to help people protect themselves from getting COVID-19.
Experts have now revealed that a well-known product commonly taken to supplement the diet might help combat the coronavirus disease.
According to researchers at the Cleveland Clinic, melatonin, taken by people who have insomnia, can prevent or treat COVID-19.
President Donald Trump might have been one of the famous people who has been given melatonin after being airlifted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in October while battling COVID-19.
Melatonin is a hormone naturally found in the human body that regulates its circadian rhythm and sleep-wake cycle.
Note that melatonin, also a dietary supplement, (in the form of a pill), often taken by mouth to improve sleep.
The brains behind the study revealed that the hormone “was associated with a 30% reduced likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19.”
Lead researcher Dr. Feixiong Cheng, Ph.D., explained that the results are even more favorable for African-Americans.
The researcher revealed to KIRO7: “Importantly, melatonin usage is associated with a 52% reduced likelihood of a positive laboratory test result for SARS-CoV-2 in African Americans. When we got this result, we were very excited. If our findings can help the patients, that’s our goal and mission — and at the Cleveland Clinic as well.”
While additional studies are expected to take place, scientists are pleased with the promising outcome.
Dr. Cheng continued: “It is very important to note these findings do not suggest people should start to take melatonin without consulting their physician. Large-scale observational studies and randomized controlled trials are critical to validate the clinical benefit of melatonin for patients with COVID-19.”
Cheng added: “But we are excited about the associations put forth in this study and the opportunity to explore them further.”
This is not the first study involving the over-the-counter supplement. Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center analyzed the cases of thousands of COVID-19 intubated patients and discovered that those who were exposed to melatonin after getting intubated had more favorable results.
The researchers from the Department of Biomedical Informatics are hoping that more studies will be done on the matter.
Cheng concluded: “Recent studies suggest that COVID-19 is a systematic disease impacting multiple cell types, tissues, and organs. Knowledge of the complex interplays between the virus and other diseases is key to understanding COVID-19-related complications and identifying repurposable drugs.”
Observers remain cautious and do not want to call this development a game-changer yet.
