SmartPak Monday Morning Feed: What’s in Your Supplement?
Horse owners spend a lot on supplements (at least I know I do!), but if you’re curious about what’s in your supplement, SmartPak can help. Blogger Casey Fleming put together a list of the top supplement ingredients for 2020.
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CBD
There’s probably no surprise here, with CBD being the fastest growing ingredient on the market today. Some argue CBD may be the fastest growing ingredient in the history of the dietary supplement industry, likely only rivaled by the dawn of glucosamine for supporting joint health. In a 2019 survey by the Nutrition Business Journal, half of all respondents confirmed being familiar with CBD, while 65% of supplement companies surveyed (primarily human) confirmed plans to develop a CBD/Hemp product in the next 1-2 years. Just as the human supplement market has experienced an explosion of CBD products, we anticipate 2020 being the year we’ll see a wide variety of new CBD products launched specifically for horses.
Many horse owners choose to supplement their horses’ diet with CBD to support a normal response to inflammation and to help address discomfort associated normal exercise and aging. It is also thought to support a calm, relaxed disposition in horses that experience stress and anxiety. Selecting a CBD supplement can be tricky, with quality being a major concern for consumers. This is why SmartPak has been selective about the CBD products we currently offer, partnering with reputable companies like The Naked Leaf. I’ll also fill you in that we’re actively developing our own CBD product, which we anticipate launching in mid-to-late Spring. Stay tuned!
If you are showing, do note that CBD is currently published by US Equestrian as a prohibited substance. If you have questions about CBD and competing, please consult the governing body for any organizations you may compete under.
Turmeric
I have a confession to make – turmeric is my absolute favorite ingredient (astaxanthin is a close second, but that’s a whole different blog). Turmeric is a flowering plant, though it’s the bright orange-colored root that provides the health benefits. It’s been wildly popular in human supplements and food products in recent years, and that popularity has started to transition over into the equine supplement space. The compound of interest in turmeric is called curcumin, and the ingredient is most typically used to help manage a normal response to inflammation and to support comfortable movement. We’d expect to see turmeric appearing in more and more ingredient lists in 2020. If you already know and love turmeric, you can find it in products like SmartStride™ Ultra Pellets, Smart & Simple™ Turmeric Pellets, and Turmericle®.
Collagen
Collagen is the main structural protein in the body’s connective tissue, making up approximately a quarter of the human body’s total protein. It can be found in cartilage, tendons, ligaments, skin, the GI tract, blood vessels and more. In recent years, collagen’s popularity has been rising for everything from graceful aging and skin beauty, to supporting joint health. We’re starting to see this ingredient transition more seriously into supplements for horses, primarily for supporting the integrity of joints, tendons and ligaments, as well as gastric tissue. We anticipate seeing more pop up in 2020, especially in larger serving sizes like 10-15 grams per day. Due to collagen’s increased relevance as an ingredient for joint and soft tissue integrity, it’s the foundation for SmartPak’s newest innovative joint supplement line, called SmartStride.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol is an antioxidant (a polyphenol specifically) that naturally occurs in red grapes and a few other plants. Similar to turmeric, resveratrol is well known for its ability to manage a normal inflammatory response in the body, and therefore can support a variety of body systems, from joints, to skin and more. In horses, we’re starting to see resveratrol used more in more in supplements for joint health and comfortable movement, with one of the largest brands being Equithrive.
Diamond V® Yeast
Diamond V products are the result of proprietary anaerobic fermentation technologies, developed and refined over more than 70 years and supported by ongoing research and development. These closely guarded processes generate unique, functional metabolites with proven beneficial effects on animal health and performance. In particular, the ingredients offers support for the GI tract, immune system, recovery from exercise, and more. Although Diamond V has been around for years, we’re starting to see their ingredient appear more frequently in supplements for horses. A recent research study demonstrated the benefits of equine digestive supplements containing Diamond V yeast, and it’s a top ingredient to keep an eye on in 2020.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb traditionally used in ayurvedic medicine. Its popularity has been skyrocketing of late as an ingredient to help manage stress, anxiety, tension, and to support the nervous system and overall balance and wellbeing. Typically, the root of the plant is used in supplements, though some claim that the leaves can also provide health benefits. Ashwagandha is likely to gain more traction in the equine supplement landscape, especially products designed for calming and behavior. Keep an eye out for it in 2020!
