Provided are superabsorbent materials composed of agar, and one or more water-soluble natural polysaccharides, and dietary compositions containing such superabsorbent materials. The disclosed superabsorbent materials have various food and therapeutic applications and can be used as loading vehicles for nutrients and therapeutic agents. Also provided are methods for preparing such superabsorbent materials.

Provided are superabsorbent materials composed of agar, and one or more water-soluble natural polysaccharides, and dietary compositions containing such superabsorbent materials. The disclosed superabsorbent materials have various food and therapeutic applications and can be used as loading vehicles for nutrients and therapeutic agents. Also provided are methods for preparing such superabsorbent materials.

Antimicrobial compositions include a therapeutically effective amount of neem oil, extract of the plant Hypericum spp., polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), carrageenans, and/or chlorhexidine; and (optionally) in combination with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, additives, and/or diluents. The antimicrobial compositions are effective in treating or preventing upper respiratory tract infections, preferably upper respiratory tract infections caused by human Coronaviruses and are included within methods of treating or preventing infection of the upper respiratory tract of humans by a microbial pathogen.

Antimicrobial compositions include a therapeutically effective amount of neem oil, extract of the plant Hypericum spp., polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), carrageenans, and/or chlorhexidine; and (optionally) in combination with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, additives, and/or diluents. The antimicrobial compositions are effective in treating or preventing upper respiratory tract infections, preferably upper respiratory tract infections caused by human Coronaviruses and are included within methods of treating or preventing infection of the upper respiratory tract of humans by a microbial pathogen.

Antimicrobial compositions include a therapeutically effective amount of neem oil, extract of the plant Hypericum spp., polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), carrageenans, and/or chlorhexidine; and (optionally) in combination with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, additives, and/or diluents. The antimicrobial compositions are effective in treating or preventing upper respiratory tract infections, preferably upper respiratory tract infections caused by human Coronaviruses and are included within methods of treating or preventing infection of the upper respiratory tract of humans by a microbial pathogen.

Provided are superabsorbent materials composed of one or more water-soluble polysaccharides, such as gelling polysaccharides and gelling-compatible polysaccharides, and one or more insoluble fibers. The disclosed superabsorbent materials have a porous network structure and highly stable gelling properties as well as high absorption ratio and volume expansion capacity upon hydration or rehydration. Also provided are methods for preparing such superabsorbent materials and uses thereof.

Provided are superabsorbent materials composed of one or more water-soluble polysaccharides, such as gelling polysaccharides and gelling-compatible polysaccharides, and one or more insoluble fibers. The disclosed superabsorbent materials have a porous network structure and highly stable gelling properties as well as high absorption ratio and volume expansion capacity upon hydration or rehydration. Also provided are methods for preparing such superabsorbent materials and uses thereof.

Provided are superabsorbent materials composed of agar, and one or more water-soluble natural polysaccharides, and dietary compositions containing such superabsorbent materials. The disclosed superabsorbent materials have various food and therapeutic applications and can be used as loading vehicles for nutrients and therapeutic agents. Also provided are methods for preparing such superabsorbent materials.

Provided are superabsorbent materials composed of agar, and one or more water-soluble natural polysaccharides, and dietary compositions containing such superabsorbent materials. The disclosed superabsorbent materials have various food and therapeutic applications and can be used as loading vehicles for nutrients and therapeutic agents. Also provided are methods for preparing such superabsorbent materials.

A treatment for obesity 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 provide a treatment for obesity in the subject. The treatment can include at least one of: reducing weight of the subject; reducing rate of weight gain in the subject; or increasing rate of weight loss in the subject. The treatment of obesity can include at least one of: reducing caloric intake into the subject; reducing caloric absorption by the gut of the subject; absorbing caloric material from the gut of the subject into the superabsorbent material; or increasing transfer of caloric material from bloodstream into gut.