Plasma isoprostanes and other markers of oxidative stress in chronic fatigue syndrome

The body contains highly reactive molecules called free radicals. They are normally kept under control by natural processes which remove them from the circulation, but when an imbalance occurs they can be left to cause damage unchecked. This damage is called oxidative stress. In particular, free radicals can change our normal "good" cholesterol into something more harmful, leading to heart and circulation problems.

Patients with ME/CFS had higher than normal levels in their blood of chemical markers which indicate oxidative stress, as well as lower levels of their "good" cholesterol.

This suggests that the normal processes controlling free radicals are not working properly in patients with ME/CFS.