Exploring the link between nutritional status and total antioxidant status in patients with severe asthma: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background and objective This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of individuals with severe asthma and to determine how dietary antioxidant (AO) intake influences the disease prognosis and plasma total antioxidant status (TAS). Methods The study included 44 patients with severe asthma and 45 healthy participants. Anthropometric measurements, asthma control levels, scores from a validated antioxidant food consumption frequency questionnaire, 3-day food records, and demographic information were gathered from each participant. Blood samples obtained after overnight fasting were analyzed for plasma TAS and total oxidant status (TOS). Results The mean antioxidant intake measured by the FFQ and food records, as well as plasma TAS levels, were significantly lower in the asthma group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In the asthma group, negative correlations were found between the duration of asthma and both plasma TAS and antioxidant intake from the FFQ and food records, indicating that longer asthma duration was associated with lower antioxidant status (p < 0.05). Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between the asthma control level and the antioxidant intake from the FFQ in the case group, suggesting that better asthma control was associated with higher antioxidant intake (p < 0.05). Conclusion Plasma TAS levels in patients with severe asthma were significantly lower than in healthy individuals. Higher dietary antioxidant intake was positively associated with plasma TAS and may contribute to improved asthma control. These findings suggest that increasing dietary antioxidant intake could be beneficial in the management of severe asthma.