The invention relates to a carotenoid for use in the treatment or prevention of stress induced conditions, and in particular it relates to the treatment or prevention of a disease mediated by glucocorticoid receptor activity. The invention also relates to a cosmetic method for preventing premature-aging of skin in a subject which comprises administering a carotenoid to said subject. Finally, the invention relates to a method for modulating the activity of a glucocorticoid receptor comprising contacting the receptor with a carotenoid.

The invention relates to a carotenoid for use in the treatment or prevention of stress induced conditions, and in particular it relates to the treatment or prevention of a disease mediated by glucocorticoid receptor activity. The invention also relates to a cosmetic method for preventing premature-aging of skin in a subject which comprises administering a carotenoid to said subject. Finally, the invention relates to a method for modulating the activity of a glucocorticoid receptor comprising contacting the receptor with a carotenoid.

Bone mineral content, 25(OH) vitamin D3, or 1,25(OH).sub.2 vitamin D3 in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the bone mineral content, 25(OH) vitamin D3, or 1,25(OH).sub.2 vitamin D3 or adjusting the diet of the animal to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the bone mineral content, 25(OH) vitamin D3, or 1,25(OH).sub.2 vitamin D3.

Bone mineral content, 25(OH) vitamin D3, or 1,25(OH).sub.2 vitamin D3 in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the bone mineral content, 25(OH) vitamin D3, or 1,25(OH).sub.2 vitamin D3 or adjusting the diet of the animal to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the bone mineral content, 25(OH) vitamin D3, or 1,25(OH).sub.2 vitamin D3.

A composition for topical dermatological delivery of a medicinal or cosmeceutical or cosmetic active including a functional co-enhancer delivery system comprises a primary active agent in combination with an ancillary user adherence-improving skin barrier restoring system comprising nicotinamide and polyhydroxy acid. The composition generally comprises a water-miscible solvent and C.sub.12 or C.sub.14 fatty acids or C.sub.14 alcohol in combination with a hydrocarbyl methyl siloxane, other volatile silicones and a blend of silicone elastomers.

A composition for topical dermatological delivery of a medicinal or cosmeceutical or cosmetic active including a functional co-enhancer delivery system comprises a primary active agent in combination with an ancillary user adherence-improving skin barrier restoring system comprising nicotinamide and polyhydroxy acid. The composition generally comprises a water-miscible solvent and C.sub.12 or C.sub.14 fatty acids or C.sub.14 alcohol in combination with a hydrocarbyl methyl siloxane, other volatile silicones and a blend of silicone elastomers.

Disclosed is a method for moisturizing skin in need thereof, the method comprising topically applying to the skin a composition that includes effective amounts of an extract from Echinacea purpurea, an extract from Silybum marianum, and glycerin, wherein topical application of the composition activates human cannabinoid receptor type 2 and inhibits fatty acid amide hydrolase activity in the skin and treats the skin.

Disclosed is a method for moisturizing skin in need thereof, the method comprising topically applying to the skin a composition that includes effective amounts of an extract from Echinacea purpurea, an extract from Silybum marianum, and glycerin, wherein topical application of the composition activates human cannabinoid receptor type 2 and inhibits fatty acid amide hydrolase activity in the skin and treats the skin.

Disclosed is a method for moisturizing skin in need thereof, the method comprising topically applying to the skin a composition that includes effective amounts of an extract from Echinacea purpurea, an extract from Silybum marianum, and glycerin, wherein topical application of the composition activates human cannabinoid receptor type 2 and inhibits fatty acid amide hydrolase activity in the skin and treats the skin.

Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to a composition containing an effective amount of dietary nutrients. In some embodiments, ingestion of the composition provides one or more of the following benefits, or others, improved functioning of an environmentally stressed eye, increased tear flow from the lacrimal glands, improved quality of the lipid secretion from the meibomian glands (e.g., to improve tear breakup time), and augmented DHA fatty acid in the retina damaged by blue light. In some embodiments, the composition is configured to scavenge free radicals in the eye to prevent premature degradation of the visual functions.