Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions for improving a response to a metabolic stress. Certain embodiments provide a method of improving a response to a metabolic stress in a subject. The method comprises administering to a mucosal membrane of the subject an effective amount of an autolysate from rootlets of a barley plant of the species Hordeum, and/or an extract or a purified component of the autolysate.

Abstract: Complex metal-containing matrices, and especially chromium-containing matrices are produced from a water soluble preparation that is derived from an item suitable for animal (and most typically human) consumption. In particularly contemplated aspects, the water soluble preparation is an extract or filtrate of disintegrated brewer's yeast, and the so prepared complex mixture is combined with a chromium-3+ ions.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions include compounds with cytokinin activity to modulate glucose and/or lipid metabolism in a mammal. Especially preferred compounds include those comprising a purine scaffold, and it is further preferred that contemplated compositions are employed to prevent and/or treat various diseases, including pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, type-2 diabetes, Syndrome X, and dyslipidemia. In still further preferred aspects, compounds with cytokinin activity are used to activate AMPK and/or Akt. Consequently, various diseases associated with dysregulation of AMPK and/or Akt may be treated using the compounds of the present inventive subject matter.

Abstract: Complex metal-containing matrices, and especially chromium-containing matrices are produced from a water soluble preparation that is derived from an item suitable for animal (and most typically human) consumption. In particularly contemplated aspects, the water soluble preparation is an extract or filtrate of disintegrated brewer's yeast, and the so prepared complex mixture is combined with a chromium-3+ ions.

Abstract: Fermentation of a microorganism is increased by including a cytokinin into the fermentation medium. Contemplated cytokinins may be synthetic cytokinins, cytokinins isolated from a natural source, or present in an extract that is specifically enriched for cytokinins. Especially contemplated microorganisms include yeast, and the fermentation in preferred aspects comprises catabolic conversion of a carbohydrate to ethanol and/or carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Contemplated food products include compounds with cytokinin activity to modulate glucose and/or lipid metabolism, and in especially preferred aspects contemplated food products include one or more naturally occurring cytokinins (e.g., kinetin, N2-acetylguanine, zeatin, dihydrozeatin) at a concentration effective to prevent or treat pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, type-2 diabetes, syndrome X, and/or dyslipidemia. Methods of marketing such products are also contemplated.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions include compounds with cytokinin activity to modulate glucose and/or lipid metabolism in a mammal. Especially preferred compounds include those comprising a purine scaffold, and it is further preferred that contemplated compositions are employed to prevent and/or treat various diseases, including pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, type-2 diabetes, Syndrome X, and dyslipidemia. In still further preferred aspects, compounds with cytokinin activity are used to activate AMPK and/or Akt. Consequently, various diseases associated with dysregulation of AMPK and/or Akt may be treated using the compounds of the present inventive subject matter.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided to reduce glucose concentration in an organism. Particularly contemplated compositions include a compound that binds to a thaumatin-like protein and that is isolated from a plant. Contemplated compositions further reduce blood lipid concentrations at the concentration effective to reduce the glucose concentration.

Abstract: Contemplated food products include compounds with cytokinin activity to modulate glucose and/or lipid metabolism, and in especially preferred aspects contemplated food products include one or more naturally occurring cytokinins (e.g., kinetin, N2-acetylguanine, zeatin, dihydrozeatin) at a concentration effective to prevent or treat pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, type-2 diabetes, syndrome X, and/or dyslipidemia. Methods of marketing such products are also contemplated.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions include compounds with cytokinin activity to modulate glucose and/or lipid metabolism in a mammal. Especially preferred compounds include those comprising a purine scaffold, and it is further preferred that contemplated compositions are employed to prevent and/or treat various diseases, including pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, type-2 diabetes, Syndrome X, and dyslipidemia In still further preferred aspects, compounds with cytokinin activity are used to activate AMPK and/or Akt. Consequently, various diseases associated with dysregulation of AMPK and/or Akt may be treated using the compounds of the present inventive subject matter.

Abstract: Complex metal-containing matrices, and especially chromium-containing matrices are produced from a water soluble preparation that is derived from an item suitable for animal (and most typically human) consumption. In particularly contemplated aspects, the water soluble preparation is an extract or filtrate of disintegrated brewer's yeast, and the so prepared complex mixture is combined with a chromium-3+ ions.

Abstract: Fermentation of a microorganism is increased by including a cytokinin into the fermentation medium. Contemplated cytokinins may be synthetic cytokinins, cytokinins isolated from a natural source, or present in an extract that is specifically enriched for cytokinins. Especially contemplated microorganisms include yeast, and the fermentation in preferred aspects comprises catabolic conversion of a carbohydrate to ethanol and/or carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided to increase glucose uptake in a cell. Particularly contemplated compositions include a compound that is isolated from a plant that has AICAR-like activity. In another aspect of the invention, contemplated compositions comprise a non-insulin compound that has AICAR-like activity and activates AMPK in a cell.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided to reduce glucose concentration in an organism. Particularly contemplated compositions include a compound that binds to a thaumatin-like protein and that is isolated from a plant. Contemplated compositions further reduce blood lipid concentrations at the concentration effective to reduce the glucose concentration.