Abstract: A food or pharmaceutical agent is provided for treating or offsetting the risks of a disease or disorder such as a cardiovascular disease, a hypercholesterolemia disorder, a low serum high density lipid (HDL)/low density lipid (LDL) ratio, a hypertriglyceridemia disorder, and diabetes includes a pharmaceutical carrier, and a composition including a purified glucomannan and at least one galactomannan. A method for treating or offsetting the risks of such a disease or disorder includes the step of administering to a human in need thereof an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition to treat the cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: A method for preparing a nontoxic composition that includes an extract of Larrea tridentata plant material and is substantially free of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) quinone includes the steps of mixing the Larrea tridentata plant material with an aqueous solvent to produce an extract, and reducing any NDGA quinone in the extract to NDGA. A method for treating an infection from a virus includes the step of administering to a human in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising an extract of Larrea tridentata in an amount that is effective to suppress NF-kB activation. An antimicrobial solution includes an aqueous solvent, and an extract of Larrea tridentata plant material. A formulation for medical and health products includes an extract of Larrea tridentata plant material, and at least one detoxification enhancer that functions as a chemoprotective agent.