Despite widespread misinformation about deer antler velvet on the internet, review of literature related to the use of velvet antler products as an alternative to drugs provides compelling evidence to support the claim that compounds in velvet antler may be significantly more effective and longer-lasting than many conventional prescription and non-prescription drugs for relief of the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
In fact the use of velvet antler is scientifically supported in compliance with FDA regulations for its beneficial effects in treating arthritis, and growing numbers of people suffering from Osteoarthritis are reporting less pain and greater joint mobility.
Most over-the-counter and prescription treatments for osteoarthritis attempt to reduce pain and maintain joint function, but do little to restore joint health. In fact, many of these non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs actually prevent the growth of collagen in joints, causing further cartilage damage, and can also have serious side effects such as kidney and liver damage.
On the other hand, research shows that deer velvet works to reduce the pain and inflammation of Osteoarthritis by addressing the underlying causes of the condition - something drugs and ‘off-the-shelf’ pharmacy supplements containing nutrients synthesized in a lab by scientists have not been able to accomplish.
The literature also suggests that velvet antler may provide additional benefits such as increased vitality, enhanced cardiovascular health, improved mental health and relief of some conditions associated with ageing. Other research indicates that velvet antler may assist in growth and strength training, with the benefit that as a natural dietary supplement, velvet antler does not produce drug-related side effects and is therefore considered by many researchers to be safer for use than most conventional drugs.
Since the earliest velvet antler research in Russia in the 1930’s, scientists and pharmacists have attempted to provide sound scientific reasoning for the many purported therapeutic effects, and over 250 articles have been published on the manufacture, composition, and biochemical effects .
Much of this research this has taken place in Asia - particularly in China, Korea, Hong Kong and Japan, and in the former USSR, but in recent years an increasing amount of research has also been carried out in Western countries such as Australia, USA, Europe, Canada and New Zealand.
It is clear that in general the research that has been carried out tends to support the thinking of Traditional Chinese Medicine - that deer velvet’s effects on the human body are restorative, strengthening and protective. Russian scientists have termed velvet an ‘adaptogen’, meaning a natural substance considered to help the body adapt to stress.
A number of studies on the effects of deer antler velvet on animals have also been carried out. Along with the clinical studies that have been done on lab rats, there has also been considerable interest on the health benefits for pets - mainly cats and dogs. A clinical, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study was carried out by the University of Montreal on the effects of quality elk velvet antler (QEVA) on dogs with osteoarthrosis. The study concluded that "Administration of QEVA was effective in alleviating the condition in arthritic dogs."
Summary
Much more research still needs to be done; it is likely there are as yet undiscovered bioactive compounds which may be unique to velvet antler, and current research studies are limited by the fact that many of the reported effects appear firstly to be dependent on an integrated 'whole body system' (something in vitro testing can't show), and secondly the effects on the body are due to the synergistic effects of two or more compounds present in velvet antler.
"The international antler research has entered the stage of molecular biology, and will no doubt have a profound impact on the modern biomedical fields, such as regenerative medicine, organ degeneration and dysplasia, trauma medicine and anti-inflammatory treatment, growth factor research, as well as creation of new medical thinking." - The contribution of deer velvet antler research to the modern biological medicine - Huo YS1, Huo H, Zhang J.
We strongly believe that if you want to take a 100% natural supplement to support your general health, then deer antler velvet is possibly the single most beneficial natural product you could take. There is significant credible research evidence to support the claims that use of velvet antler can enhance joint structure and function as well as other benefits including increased vitality, improved cardiovascular health, mood enhancement, and as an effective strength and training aid.
However, it’s important to note that such benefits are highly dependent upon the quality of antler used and the methods used in processing, as well as the dose. Many products on the market have such low amounts of velvet powder (or use cheap low-quality velvet from dubious sources) as to be totally ineffective. At VelPure we use only the finest quality deer antler velvet, harvested from free-roaming, grass-fed New Zealand red deer at the peak of potency, and we use a triple extraction process that concentrates the essential proteins, amino acids, and IGF factors. Along with enhanced bioavailability of up to 80% (compared to typically 10-20% for most other products on the market), our customers can be confident that they will experience optimum efficacy effects from VelPure.
To learn more, here are some links to studies, articles, and books on deer antler velvet:
Books:
- Velvet Antler, Nature’s Superior Tonic by Alison Davidson, and
- Remarkable Healing Power of Velvet Antler by Betty Kamen
Both are available on Amazon.com
Articles:
- An interesting article about the use of deer velvet in Traditional Chinese Medicine and the philosophical differences between TCM and Western medicine, by Dr. Elaine Jette. Read Article Here
- Vitamins In America Research Summary by Michael L Laughlan. Read Article Here
- Velvet Antler: A Literature Review - Helen J. Batchelder - A useful overview of research done on the extraordinarily wide range of benefits ascribed to deer velvet. Read the Paper Here. (Opens in a new tab)
- Velvet Antler Under the Microscope - Lisa Anne Marshall. From The March 2000 Issue of Nutrition Science News. Read the article HERE (Opens in a new tab)
Research Studies:
Clinical Properties of Deer Velvet
A comprehensive study and meta-analysis of deer antler velvet by leading New Zealand researchers James M. Suttie, Ph.D. and Stephen Harris, Ph.D. Required reading for anyone interested in knowing more about the benefits of deer velvet and the science behind it.
View the paper HERE
The effects of New Zealand deer antler velvet supplementation on body composition, strength, and maximal aerobic and anaerobic performance. C.E. Broeder, R.Percival, J.Quindry, L. Panton, T. Wills, K.D. Browder, C. Earnest, A.L. Almada, S.R. Haines and J.M. Suttie.
This study investigated the physiological and potential performance enhancing effects of New Zealand Deer Antler Velvet (NZDAV) supplementation in men. Thirty-two males between the ages of 18 and 35 with at least 4 years of weight lifting experience were randomly assigned using a double-blinded procedure into either a placebo or NZDAV treatment group.
The study concluded: “In conclusion, this results of this study suggest that NZDAV may have positive effects on body composition and strength/power in resistance training men. In addition, these data strongly suggests that NZDAV can significantly improve a person’s maximal aerobic performance. And finally, there was no indication that the short-term use of NZDAV supplementation causes any adverse blood chemistry responses in terms of markers for liver and kidney function, while possibly improving oxygen carrying capacity within blood.”
Download Paper HERE (Opens in a new tab)
Velvet Antler: It’s historical medical use, performance enhancing effects, and pharmacology - Dr John S Church
Another useful overview of research done on the extraordinarily wide range of benefits ascribed to deer velvet. Download the PDF HERE (Opens in a new tab)
Effects of repeated administration of deer antler extract on biochemical changes related to aging in senescence-accelerated mice - Wang, Ben-Xiang, et al. Department of Pharmacology, Department of Development for Natural Resources, Research Institute for WAKAN-YAKU (Oriental Medicine), Toyama 930-01, Japan
Abstract:
Several biochemical parameters related to aging were evaluated after a hot-water extract prepared from unossified pilose antler of Cervus nippon TEMMINCK var. mantr'httricus Swinhoe (Rokujo) had been administered orally for 8 successive days to senescence-accelerated mice (SAM), a novel murine model of spontaneously promoted aging. It was found that the repeated oral administration of Rokujo had significant restoring effects on the physiological degenerations which were associated with the development of senile symptoms. These effects included 1) an increase in the plasma testosterone level in male mice; 2) a decrease in the contents of malondialdehyde in the liver and brain; 3) an increase in the liver protein contents; 4) an increase in the liver superoxide dismutase activity; and 5) a decrease in activity o monoamine oxidase B in the liver and brain membranes.
“The present data suggest that Rokujo* may exert an anti-aging action in male senile animals.”
* ‘Rokujo’ is the Japanese name for deer antler velvet.
Download the paper HERE
First Evidence that Sika Deer (Cervus nippon) Velvet Antler Extract Suppresses Migration of Human Prostate Cancer Cells - YuJiao Tang, Byong-Tae Jeon, Yanmei Wang, Eun-Ju Choi, Yon-Suk Kim, Jin-Woo Hwang, Pyo-Jam Park, Sang Ho Moon, and Eun-Kyung Kim. Korean Journal for Food Science of Animal Resources. 2015.
Abstract:
Taken together, our findings indicate that the T-DVA possesses anti-migration activity on prostate cancer cells. This is the first study of DVA to report the anti-migration activity on prostate cancer
Download the paper HERE
Wound healing by a 3.2 kDa recombinant polypeptide from velvet antler of Cervusnippon Temminck
Zha, E., Gao, S., Pi, Y. et al. Biotechnol Lett (2012) 34: 789. doi:10.1007/s10529-011-0829-8
Abstract
Velvet antler (VA) is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a wide range of ailments including the enhancement of wound healing. A 3.2 kDa recombinant polypeptide of VA from sika deer was purified and compared to native polypeptides stimulation growth of NIH3T3 cells. Both stimulated growth in a dose-dependent manner (10–100 μg/ml). To study its wound healing properties, burn-wounded rats were topically administered with recombinant VA polypeptide or native polypeptide. Rats treated with 0.05 and 0.1% (w/w) polypeptides exhibited significant wound healing. As the yield of recombinant polypeptide was 40-fold higher than that of the native polypeptide, it may therefore be a useful biopharmaceutical.
Visit Website HERE
Clinical evaluation of a powder of quality elk velvet antler for the treatment of osteoarthrosis in dogs- Maxim Moreau, Jacques Dupuis, Norbert H Bonneau, and Manon Lécuyer
A clinical, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study in which quality elk velvet antler was evaluated on client-owned dogs with osteoarthrosis.
Read the article HERE (Opens in a new tab)
Elk velvet antler in rheumatoid arthritis: phase II trial. - Allen M1, Oberle K, Grace M, Russell A.
The purpose of this phase II clinical trial was to examine safety of elk velvet antler taken concurrently with rheumatoid arthritis medications and to determine efficacy by dose to enable sample size estimation and dose standardization for a larger study. It was concluded that elk velvet antler can be taken safely in conjunction with a number of rheumatoid arthritis medications and should be studied further to assess efficacy.
View the study HERE
Turning Back The Clock With Velvet Antler - Dr Stephen Centre, MD. Medical Director, Readicare Urgent Care Centers of America.
View the report HERE
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent disease.
BUY NOW