Diet and body composition in asthma: Associations with clinical outcomes and inflammatory markers

This thesis aimed to gain insight into diet and body composition in asthma, focusing on clinical outcomes and asthma-specific inflammation. Our findings show that diet is not a clear risk factor for the development of asthma in adulthood. In addition, diet does not appear to directly improve clinical outcomes in patients with severe asthma. However, this does not mean that diet does not play a role in asthma. It may still be relevant at other stages of life or in certain subtypes of asthma. The results of the literature review suggest that interventions involving herbal medicine and omega-3 fatty acids may be potentially beneficial for certain subtypes of asthma, but more research is needed to confirm this. Furthermore, diet plays an important role in weight management. Weight loss deserves more attention in the management of asthma patients, especially those with moderate to severe asthma. Additionally, maintaining muscle function is important. Our results showed that people with lower muscle mass had worse lung function and exercise capacity. Low muscle strength was associated with poorer asthma control, lower quality of life, and increased healthcare utilization. Lastly, we examined whether new anti-inflammatory treatments with biologicals had an effect on weight loss and body composition. Although the effects on body composition were small, the initiation of these treatments could be seen as an opportunity to encourage lifestyle changes and promote a healthy weight. Our research is a step forward in understanding this complex disease and may lead to better treatment options for asthma patients.