1. A method of treating asthma in an individual characterized by an imbalance in the content of cytokines of the first and second types, which comprises administering to the individual β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate in an amount effective to modulate the imbalance in the production of cytokines of the first and second types. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the content of cytokines of the first type to the content of cytokines of the second type increases as a result of administration of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate. The method according to claim 2, in which the content of the first type of cytokines increases without increasing the content of the second type of cytokines. The method according to claim 2, wherein the effective amount of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate is in the range of from about 0.5 to about 10 g per day. The method according to claim 2, wherein β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate is introduced as part of a nutritional product that further comprises at least one fat and / or protein and / or carbohydrate. The method of claim 2, wherein type 1 cytokines are selected from the group comprising interferon y, interleukin 2 and interleukin 12, and type 2 cytokines are selected from the group comprising interleukin 4, interleukin 5, interleukin 13, and interleukin 10.7. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate is effective in preventing a decrease in FEV. The method according to claim 1, wherein the amount of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate is effective to maintain a baseline FEV of greater than 80%. The method of claim 1, wherein the type 1 cytokines are interferons or interleukin 2, and the type 2 cytokines are interleukin 4.10. A method for treating asthma in an individual at risk for developing asthma, comprising administering to said individual1. Способ лечения астмы у индивидуума, характеризующейся дисбалансом содержания цитокинов первого и второго типов, который включает введение индивидууму β-гидрокси-β-метилбутирата в
