Several studies have demonstrated that melatonin improves recovery rates for people infected with COVID-19. In this article, I am reviewing an analysis of this topic published in the Journal of Medical Virology.
This systematic review and meta-analysis included three randomized clinical trials, one double-blind (Lan et al.,2022). The experimental group had 86 patients, while the control group had 85. Both groups were hospitalized with COVID-19. The treatment groups received melatonin (along with standard-of-care treatment) at bedtime, while the control group received standard-of-care treatment. One trial used 6 mg before bedtime for 14 days, a second used 3 mg for 14 days, and the third used 3 mg for seven days. The clinical recovery rates were higher in the treatment group (94.2%) than in the control group (84.2%). The need for intensive care unit admission was lower in the melatonin group. However, it was not statistically significant. The authors stated that the potential mechanism for benefit is unknown but may be due to melatonin's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.
Melatonin at a dose of 3 mg to 6 mg at bedtime is a safe supplement for those infected with COVID-19. Studies in recent years have shown that melatonin has powerful immune-enhancing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Dr. Mark Stengler NMD, MS, is a bestselling author in private practice in Encinitas, California, at the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine. His newsletter, Dr. Stengler’s Health Breakthroughs, is available at www.markstengler.com and his product line at www.drstengler.com
Lan, S. H., Lee, H. Z., Chao, C. M., Chang, S. P., Lu, L. C., & Lai, C. C. (2022). Efficacy of melatonin in the treatment of patients with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Medical Virology, 94(5), 2102–2107. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.27595.
