Independent source library
Peer-reviewed research supporting the botanicals and nutrients in Lifespan — with horse studies featured first.
Lifespan brings together well-studied botanicals and nutrients chosen to support joint comfort, everyday mobility, healthy skin and coat, and the body’s normal antioxidant and inflammatory balance. Every source below is an independent, peer-reviewed publication, grouped by ingredient — with horse studies featured first.
Horse study = research conducted in horses
Boswellic acids, the active compounds in frankincense, are among the most studied natural joint-support ingredients — with supportive evidence spanning horses, dogs, and controlled human trials.
In sport horses, a botanical blend containing Boswellia was associated with lower activity of key pro-inflammatory genes and stronger markers of healthy immune function during training.
Dogs taking a Boswellia-containing supplement showed better everyday movement and comfort than those on placebo.
A standardized Boswellia extract supported joint comfort, function, and walking ability in a controlled human trial.
Pooling controlled trials, Boswellia was associated with improved joint comfort and function and was judged well-tolerated.
Curcumin, turmeric’s active compound, has a rich evidence base for joint support, including studies performed directly in horses and equine cartilage.
Horses given a curcumin supplement showed improved weight-bearing and everyday comfort, with no increase in gastric ulcer risk.
In an equine cartilage model, curcumin supported a normal inflammatory response and helped maintain healthy cartilage.
Across randomized trials, turmeric/curcumin was associated with improved joint comfort and everyday function.
Adding piperine — the active compound in black pepper — greatly increased curcumin absorption, which is exactly why Lifespan pairs the two.
Rosemary’s antioxidants — rosmarinic and carnosic acid — give it a well-documented antioxidant and protective profile, including a clinical study in horses.
A topical herbal formula whose ingredients include rosemary supported improved back-comfort scores over 30 days, with no adverse effects.
Both rosemary extract and its key compound rosmarinic acid supported a normal inflammatory response and protected tissues from oxidative stress.
Adding rosemary to the diet raised total antioxidant capacity and lowered oxidation markers, confirming rosemary works as a natural dietary antioxidant.
This widely cited review documents rosemary’s well-established antioxidant and protective properties, driven by its rosmarinic and carnosic acids.
Horses make some of their own vitamin C, but demand climbs with age, stress, and airway challenges — and equine research shows supplemental vitamin C is absorbed and useful.
Oral ascorbic acid was genuinely absorbed and raised vitamin C levels in both the blood and the fluid lining the lungs — supporting this key respiratory antioxidant.
Horses given ascorbic acid alongside standard care showed stronger antioxidant enzyme activity than standard care alone.
Vitamin C measurably lowered a circulating marker of oxidative stress in healthy adult horses, shifting the oxidative balance in a favorable direction.
Vitamin C supports many parts of normal immune function — accumulating in immune cells, supporting their activity, and protecting tissues from oxidative damage.
Flaxseed is one of the best-studied nutritional supplements in horses, with equine trials supporting its effects on skin health, antioxidant status, and omega-3 balance.
Feeding ground flaxseed supported healthy skin responses in horses, supporting flax as part of a skin-and-coat program.
Flaxseed oil raised horses’ antioxidant enzyme activity and lowered lipid-oxidation markers, while improving blood lipid and red-cell profiles.
Flaxseed increased beneficial omega-3 fatty acids in horses’ blood and supported a normal immune response, confirming plant-based flax measurably improves omega-3 status.
This equine review concludes omega-3 supplementation may support the body’s normal inflammatory balance and the long-term wellbeing of sport horses.
