Corona Virus Support: Melatonin Supplementation For Sleep And Immune System Modulation

The COVID-19 pandemic has created enormous stress globally. Stress raises inflammation, oxidation, cortisol and decreases melatonin. This can make it even harder to sleep at night, which can then take a toll on our immune function. We are far more susceptible to all kinds of viral infections when we are under slept. While we are still learning about COVID-19, we can choose to use what we have learned in other studies pertaining to various types of viral infections that affect respiratory passages and apply that information to this current situation to try and best support our bodies while we learn more. Melatonin is a very safe hormone that helps decrease inflammation, improves our antioxidant capacity and promotes good quality sleep. For those of us who are older, are experiencing increased stress, who are not able to sleep well, and who may struggle with inflammation, melatonin supplementation may be protective at this time.

BENEFITS OF MELATONIN:
Sedative/supports restful sleep
Antioxidant
Anti-inflammatory/ Modulates immune responses
Limits viral related disease (not viricidal - but attenuates viral symptoms due to anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and immune enhancing features)

FACTORS THAT LOWER NIGHT TIME MELATONIN LEVELS:
Age
Stress
Night time blue light exposure - screen time before bed
Night shift work
Oxidative stress/Low antioxidant status
Travel across time zones

SOME SUPPLEMENT OPTIONS:
Melatonin Lozenges (Source Naturals)
Prolonged Release Formulas (Pure Encapsulations/Douglas Labs) - For those who wake easily
Liquid (Pure Encapsulations) - to easily adjust dose up and down

PW DISPENSARY:
10% discount on all items in the dispensary, always!
https://wellevate.me/prettywell
For help, call 855-935-5382

TESTs TO EXPLORE WITH YOUR NDs:
Cortisol + Melatonin urine/saliva panels

ARTICLE REFERENCE:
COVID-19: Melatonin as a potential adjuvant treatment
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...

"Melatonin is not viricidal but it has indirect anti-viral actions [3] due to its anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation and immune enhancing features [[21], [22], [23], [24]]. There are situations in which melatonin suppresses the features of viral infections. In mice whose central nervous system is infected by virus (e.g., encephalitis), the use of melatonin caused less viremia, reduced paralysis and death, and decreased virus load [25]. In previous respiratory syncytial virus models, melatonin caused down-regulation of acute lung oxidative injury, pro-inflammatory cytokine release and inflammatory cell recruitment. These findings, along with those recently summarized by Reiter et al. [3], support a rationale for melatonin use in viral diseases. Also, melatonin's anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, immune enhancing actions supports its potential attenuation of COVID-19 infection (Fig. 1 )."

"NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is part of the innate immune response during lung infection...Published reports indicate that the application of melatonin may ameliorate the septic shock via the NLRP3 pathway [63]. Specifically, melatonin may a have preventive effect against sepsis-induced renal injury, septic cardiomyopathy and liver injury"


A BIT ABOUT NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE
Hello from Dr. Patti Kim + Dr. Angela Agrios! We are both California Licensed Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) who have been practicing for 10+ years. Naturopathic Medicine integrates conventional and natural medicine principles and practices.

For those of you new to Naturopathic Medicine, here's a little bit more for you: http://www.nunm.edu http://www.calnd.org http://www.naturopathic.org

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This content is strictly for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Angela Agrios, Dr. Patti Kim nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.