Methods for reducing cholesterol in a subject can include: providing a superabsorbent material that includes a porous network structure formed from a mixture of a plurality of water soluble polysaccharides that are not chemically crosslinked together; and administering the superabsorbent material to a subject in an effective amount to reduce cholesterol in the subject. The reduction of cholesterol includes at least one of: reducing total cholesterol of the subject; reducing a rate of total cholesterol increase in the subject; or increasing a rate of total cholesterol decrease in the subject. The reduction of cholesterol includes at least one of: reducing cholesterol intake into the subject; reducing cholesterol absorption by the gut of the subject; or absorbing cholesterol material from the gut of the subject into the superabsorbent material. The reduction of cholesterol is by reduction of low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol or high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol.

A topical composition comprising a non-denatured, broken-up and dried Porphyridium biomass that is not further processed and a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable carrier useful for cosmetic treatments is described.

A topical composition comprising a non-denatured, broken-up and dried Porphyridium biomass that is not further processed and a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable carrier useful for cosmetic treatments is described.

A medicament for use in treating uremia and proteinuria, the medicament being a glycoprotein, a mixture of polysaccharide and protein, a polypeptide or a protein.

A medicament for use in treating uremia and proteinuria, the medicament being a glycoprotein, a mixture of polysaccharide and protein, a polypeptide or a protein.

A medicament for use in treating uremia and proteinuria, the medicament being a glycoprotein, a mixture of polysaccharide and protein, a polypeptide or a protein.

A medicament for use in treating fatty liver, hepatitis and cirrhosis, the medicament includes a marine algal glycoprotein.

A medicament for use in treating fatty liver, hepatitis and cirrhosis, the medicament includes a marine algal glycoprotein.

A medicament for use in treating fatty liver, hepatitis and cirrhosis, the medicament includes a marine algal glycoprotein.

A medicament for treating diabetes and complications thereof, the medicament being a glycoprotein, or a mixture of a polysaccharide and a protein, or a polypeptide, or a protein.