by Kunihisa Miwa and Masatoshi Fujita
August 8, 2008
[Note: Oxidative stress is caused by unstable free radicals which break down the integrity of cells to steal stabilizing oxygen atoms, unless neutralized by antioxidants. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, known as “the great protector,” and must be derived from the diet. Found in nuts, beans, grains, vegetable oils.]
Serum alpha-tocopherol [vitamin E] concentrations were determined in 50 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and 40 control subjects (Control). Prevalence of each or any coronary risk factor was not significantly different between CFS and Control.
- CFS had significantly lower alpha-tocopherol concentrations than Control.
- The concentrations were significantly lower in the subjects with any coronary risk factors than those without in CFS as well as Control.
- Even among the subjects with any coronary risk factors and also among those without, CFS had significantly lower alpha-tocopherol concentrations than Control.
In conclusion, CFS had significantly lower alpha-tocopherol concentrations irrespective of coronary risk factors than Control, suggesting the presence of increased oxidative stress in CFS.
Source: International Journal of Cardiology, Aug 4, 2008. [E-pub ahead of print] PMID: 18684522, by Miwa K, Fujita M. Department of Internal Medicine, Nanto Home and Regional Medical Center, Toyama, Japan. [E-mail:
miwa.kunihisa@city.nanto.lg.jp]
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