The invention relates to an agent having immunomodulatory properties for the prevention and/or treatment of autoimmune diseases, said agent comprising one or more C3-C8 carboxylic acids and their physiologically acceptable salts and/or C1-C8 alkyl esters, and their use as immunomodulatory agents for use in prevention and/or treatment of autoimmune related diseases and immune-mediated chronic inflammatory diseases, and dietary supplements with immunomodulating effect comprising one or more C3-C8 carboxylic acids and their physiologically acceptable salts and/or esters comprising C1-C8 alkyl alcohols.
