The present invention provides a delivery system which improves the stability, solubility and permeability of certain types of biologically active compounds in the gut after oral consumption. The delivery system comprises carrier granule comprising an agglomeration of solid lipid particles and a biologically active compound. The biologically active compound may be used with the delivery system to treat illnesses relating to inflammation, oxidation, or protein aggregation where a therapeutic blood and tissue level is required for treating the illness.

The invention provides compositions and methods to treat prediabetes. In particular, the inventor has discovered that particular combinations of diverse types of antioxidants have synergistic and surprising effects for use against prediabetes. The composition includes: a plurality of heteroatom-based antioxidants having the formula X—CH.sub.2—CH(R)—(CH.sub.2).sub.m—Z; a plurality of antioxidants with a conjugated segment; an antioxidant that is a flavan-3-ol; and an antioxidant that contains a disulfide bond. The antioxidants are chosen such that at least one has a pro-oxidative effect.

The invention provides compositions and methods to treat prediabetes. In particular, the inventor has discovered that particular combinations of diverse types of antioxidants have synergistic and surprising effects for use against prediabetes. The composition includes: a plurality of heteroatom-based antioxidants having the formula X—CH.sub.2—CH(R)—(CH.sub.2).sub.m—Z; a plurality of antioxidants with a conjugated segment; an antioxidant that is a flavan-3-ol; and an antioxidant that contains a disulfide bond. The antioxidants are chosen such that at least one has a pro-oxidative effect.

Described herein are topical pain compositions comprising between 15 and 90% mannitol, for use in the treatment of pain, itch and other cutaneous nerve conditions. The resulting compositions may be in the form of creams, gels, lotions, ointments, foams, suppositories, and sprays.

Methods and formulations for increasing the water solubility and/or bioavailability of a lipophilic natural compounds is disclosed. The formulations may be employed to make liquid filled capsules or clear and stable beverages containing therapeutic amounts of the active ingredients, for example.

Methods and formulations for increasing the water solubility and/or bioavailability of a lipophilic natural compounds is disclosed. The formulations may be employed to make liquid filled capsules or clear and stable beverages containing therapeutic amounts of the active ingredients, for example.

Methods for improving the visual processing of a healthy infant by administering a composition comprising RRR-alpha-tocopherol and a carotenoid to the infant are disclosed. Methods for improving the visual acuity of a healthy infant by administering a composition comprising RRR-alpha-tocopherol and a carotenoid to the infant are also disclosed. Methods for improving the visual processing of a healthy infant by administering a composition comprising RRR-alpha-tocopherol to the infant are disclosed. Methods for improving the visual acuity of a healthy infant by administering a composition comprising RRR-alpha-tocopherol to the infant are also disclosed. Methods for improving the development of the visual processing, visual acuity, or both, of an infant by administering a composition comprising RRR-alpha-tocopherol to the infant are also disclosed.

Methods for improving the visual processing of a healthy infant by administering a composition comprising RRR-alpha-tocopherol and a carotenoid to the infant are disclosed. Methods for improving the visual acuity of a healthy infant by administering a composition comprising RRR-alpha-tocopherol and a carotenoid to the infant are also disclosed. Methods for improving the visual processing of a healthy infant by administering a composition comprising RRR-alpha-tocopherol to the infant are disclosed. Methods for improving the visual acuity of a healthy infant by administering a composition comprising RRR-alpha-tocopherol to the infant are also disclosed. Methods for improving the development of the visual processing, visual acuity, or both, of an infant by administering a composition comprising RRR-alpha-tocopherol to the infant are also disclosed.

The present invention provides methods for making and using antibacterial polymeric materials loaded with additives, as well as antibacterial materials comprising additives. Certain additives or combinations of additives show unexpected combinatorial or synergistic antibacterial activity. The invention also provides medical devices comprised of antibacterial polymeric materials, and methods of making and using such devices, which can have unexpected combinatorial or synergistic antibacterial activity.

The present invention provides methods for making and using antibacterial polymeric materials loaded with additives, as well as antibacterial materials comprising additives. Certain additives or combinations of additives show unexpected combinatorial or synergistic antibacterial activity. The invention also provides medical devices comprised of antibacterial polymeric materials, and methods of making and using such devices, which can have unexpected combinatorial or synergistic antibacterial activity.