Episode 9: News on Melatonin and Vitamin D with Diane Bao

The Public Health Report

This episode with hosted by Diane Bao with two interesting research articles to discuss today. One is about COVID-19 severity and vitamin D, and the other is about increasing rates of melatonin use among US adults.

A review of 6 randomized controlled trials with over 500 COVID patients indicates that COVID patients undergoing vitamin D supplementation have lower rates of ICU admission and death compared to COVID patients not taking vitamin D.

The melatonin study, published in February 2022, reviews around 55,000 Americans’ responses on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. From 1999-2018, the prevalence of melatonin use increased significantly.

Article 1: COVID-19 and vitamin D supplementation

Varikasuvu, S. R., Thangappazham, B., Vykunta, A., Duggina, P., Manne, M., Raj, H., & Aloori, S. (2022). COVID-19 and vitamin D (Co-VIVID study): A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther, 3(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1080/14787210.2022.2035217. A PDF of the article is also available at https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.22.21262216v1.full.pdf.

Article 2: Increasing use of melatonin among American adults since 1999

Li, J., Somers, V. K., Xu, H., Lopez-Jiminez, F., & Covassin, N. (2022). Trends in use of melatonin supplements among US adults, 1999-2019. JAMA, 327(5), 483-485. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.23652