Please understand the following is NOT MEDICAL ADVICE, but it’s highly interesting, especially if you have predisposing issue like CVD, hypertension, diabetes, respiratory diseases and cancer.
[Excerpts from Covid-19, Pneumonia & Inflammasomes – the Melatonin Connection by Doris Loh because we both want you to thrive!]
Doris Loh writes, “The number of COVID-19 viral copies obtained per swab was 1000 higher than those of 2003 SARS-CoV, so we are all searching for ways to moderate the infectivity. (source)
Melatonin is useful because of its ability to modulate the immune system, especially the critical function of suppressing cytokine storms to prevent progression of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in infected patients.
In a study by Huang et al. (ScienceDirect 2019), the researchers infected rodents with H1N1 influenza A virus, lethal and highly infectious. The infected rodents received a combination treatment of melatonin and an antiviral drug which significantly increased their survival rates compared to mice treated with the antivirals alone! Melatonin possesses anti-influenza potential
It is no wonder that none of the pregnant mothers infected by COVID-19 in the Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China, developed severe pneumonia or died (2020); nor were their babies infected by COVID-19. The Lancet (source)
Why?
All were in the 3rd trimester, and melatonin secretion in the third trimester of pregnancy is more than doubled compared to the first trimester. (source)
Take a look at the following chart showing the fatality rate according to age groups:
COVID-19 fatality rate by age
As of this writing, there are no fatalities recorded for infected COVID-19 patients under the age of nine. The fatality rate increases linearly with age. The highest rate of fatality is seen in patients aged 80 and above [1]. Experts have yet to answer the question as to why COVID-19 is sparing young children [NBC News]. (source)
Caveat: what doctors thought to be Covid-19 in China might have been respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is known to cause severe illness in children. (Stat News)
While we lose sleep over this riddle, check out this chart, which mirrors the above table but in REVERSE (source):
What does this chart measure?
A powerful and fascinating molecule that almost everyone has heard of – melatonin. So what does melatonin have to do with COVID-19?
Melatonin Inhibits NLRP3 Inflammasomes
Numerous studies have revealed that melatonin exerts effects beyond the control of circadian rhythms.
Melatonin INHIBITs NLRP3 inflammasomes which stimulate the pro-inflammatory cytokine storm effects! (source)
Thus, the ability of melatonin to INHIBIT NLRP3 inflammasome elevates this powerful molecule to a truly unique position in the fight against COVID-19. (source)
This also means that if a patient, regardless of age, has adequate melatonin, the infectiousness of COVID-19 will be greatly reduced, and the chances of developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) significantly diminish.
Melatonin is the reason why children under the age of 9 seldom exhibit worsening symptoms. In fact, children may exhibit mild or even no symptoms at all, even though they have been infected by COVID-19 [2]. (source)
Melatonin Maintenance Dosages During COVID-19 Pandemic
How significant is the difference in melatonin production between children and the elderly?
Supplementation during COVID-19 is recommended only because normal production for older adults may not be adequate for protection against COVID-19.
Children under nine are protected from COVID-19 because they have up to TEN TIMES the ‘normal’ amount of older adults. (Source-CDC)
And with our high tech environment, light pollution and screen time at night have already greatly flattened the normally low level of melatonin in adults.
If you are a healthy adult without major health challenges, you should take no more than the dosage recommended by WebMd (see Dosing) which is anywhere between 0.3 mg to 5 mgs of melatonin daily for up to 9 months.
Melatonin COVID-19 Infection Dosage (source): 5 mgs, 10mgs, to 50 mgs. (Talk with your doctor). (source)
The lower range is also for people with mild or no symptoms. The higher range is for older people or those with more severe symptoms.
Please take melatonin at night, about 1 to 2 hours before sleep and 2 to 3 hours AFTER your last meal. You should ideally finish eating before it is dark.
If you can lower your ambient lighting at night it is extremely helpful, as the lowest amount of light will disrupt melatonin production. Melatonin is produced in all cells, including mitochondria, not just in pineal glands (Source). (source)
If you suspect infection, notify authorities in charge and your physician immediately.
- IF you are taking ACE inhibitors, have cardiac conditions, hypertension, you need to consult your physician before taking high doses of melatonin. Melatonin may lower blood pressure and cause hypotension at higher dosages.
- IF you are diabetic, or have insulin resistance, DO NOT TAKE MELATONIN before 3 pm. Melatonin is able to suppress insulin.
The Infection dose should ideally be divided into DAYTIME and NIGHTTIME doses. (source)
DAYTIME – 40% of total daily dose, divided into small equal portions to be taken every TWO HOURS.
NIGHTTIME – 60% of total daily dose, divided into two portions taken 2-3 hours after dinner. The final dose at night should be completed by 10 pm (latest).
Notes:
- Higher oral dosage is applicable during infections only.
- Supplementation of high dose melatonin MUST BE SUPPORTED by ascorbic acid. You may not experience full benefits of melatonin in the absence of ascorbic acid.
Must Support with Ascorbic Acid (Vit C):
Again, your age matters because of the level of natural melatonin produced. If you are older or more susceptible to COVID-19 for various reasons, your maintenance dose should be one gram per hour, to total 10-18 grams per day, depending on your tolerance level. You will experience loose stools, or what is known as hitting Bowel Tolerance if you have saturated your system with ascorbic acid. (source)
(See My Vitamin C Protocol and links: How to Flush Your Body With Vitamin C)
Ascorbic Acid COVID-19 Infection Dosage: 1000 milligrams (1 gram) Sodium ascorbate or Ascorbic acid every 15 to 30 minutes, depending on severity of symptoms. Increase to 2,000 milligrams (2 grams) every 15 to 30 minutes if symptoms are not reversed within 12-24 hours. (source)
- IF you are infected, you will essentially have an ‘unlimited’ tolerance for ascorbic acid. Your tolerance may increase above 100,000 mgs (100 grams) or more. That is normal.
During infection, rest, drink plenty of purified water. You may lose your appetite. Do not force yourself to eat if you are not hungry. Calorie restriction initiates mitophagy and autophagy, which will facilitate healing. (Source)
[Excerpts from the much longer post Covid-19, Pneumonia & Inflammasomes – the Melatonin Connection by Doris Loh]
“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” ~3 John 1:2
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