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.

The present invention includes pourable, non-toxic lubricating compositions containing carrageenan and more precisely carrageenan as an anti-viral agent, for protection from Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and methods of using the lubricating compositions as a non-oily, psuedoplastic lubrication product and administering the carrageenan for reducing the propagation of HPV during sexual activity.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The invention provides a composition comprising glucomannan, carrageenan, xanthan gum and a monovalent or divalent cation salt. The composition is suitable for use in managing weight, combating obesity, combating metabolic syndrome, promoting satiety, reducing appetite, combating diabetes, lowering blood cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, reducing postpranial glycaemia, or increasing insulin sensitivity.