Deer Velvet Health Benefits
 Deer
velvet antler is the growing stage of the horns of male
members of the deer family. Velvet antler is living
tissue that grows at a very fast rate of up to 2cm per
day in some species. It is the only mammalian
organ that regenerates like this. This may be the reason
for its powerful health benefits.
Deer Velvet is a rich source nutrients such as the minerals
calcium, phosphorus, sulphur, magnesium, potassium, sodium,
manganese, zinc, copper, iron, selenium and cobalt. Also
found in deer velvet are the major amino acids, collagen,
anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, glucosamine, chondroitin,
gangliosides, erythropoietin and the essential fatty acids
Omega-3 and Omega 6. Deer velvet is also a natural source
of growth factor hormones IGF-1 and IGF-2
Oriental physicians have regarded deer velvet as an essential
health, energy and sexual tonic for the past 2000 years.
Now scientific research is proving the value of velvet
as a safe remedy for a wide range of health problems and
conditions.
The health benefits of deer velvet are described below:
Anaemia / Blood Building
Research has shown that velvet antler stimulates the production
of blood by nourishing the bone marrow.
Velvet increases the volume and the circulation of blood
through the body. As a traditional remedy for anaemia it
has been shown to have a potent erythropoietic effect,
meaning that it stimulates the formation of red blood cells.
It also improves the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood
and builds the iron uptake of red blood cells.
Deer velvet’s ability to improve blood supply and increase
the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood may also be useful
for athletes.
Anti-Aging
Deer velvet antler has long been used in Russia as a restorative
for the elderly. One study of elderly patients with some
degree of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries),
showed deer velvet extracts improved sleep, memory, mood
and drive, and alleviated headaches.
Animal studies in China showed that treatment of mice
with velvet extract inhibited MAO enzyme function. MAO
(monoamine oxidase) is an enzyme which breaks down certain
neurotransmitters in the brain, like serotonin, dopamine,
and norepinephrine. As people age, MAO activity increases,
breaking down these neurotransmitters too quickly. The
mood and energy enhancing effects of velvet antler on the
elderly may lie in its MAO-inhibiting action.
Deer velvet extract also showed anti-aging effects by
reducing signs of senility in mice. Researchers found a
significant increase in plasma testosterone concentrations
in the treated mice, they had far less oxidation by-product
in their liver and brains, and free radical scavenger activity
was greater than in the control mice.
Deer velvet has traditionally been used to treat many
of the health problems that are characteristic of growth
hormone deficiency. The decline of growth hormone with
age is associated with many of the symptoms of aging, such
as wrinkles, grey hair and decreased energy and sexual
function. As a natural source of IGF-1 and growth hormone
precursors, velvet antler may help the body stimulate its
own production of growth hormone in the pituitary.
Arthritis / Anti-Inflammatory
In New Zealand, deer velvet powder is widely taken to
relieve the pain and symptoms of arthritis. Deer velvet
is a natural source of anti-inflammatories such as chondroitin
sulfate and glucosamine sulfate. These help reduce the
effects of swelling, joint pain, tissue damage, osteoporosis
and arthritis.
A study examining the effects of chondroitin sulfate in
knee osteoarthritis found the treatment provided significant
relief from symptoms as reported by patients.
Athletic Performance, Strength and Recovery
A clinical trial in New Zealand compared the development
of muscle strength and endurance in groups of males taking
New Zealand deer velvet to a control group taking a placebo.
Over a 12 week training period, the group taking a powdered
form of New Zealand deer velvet antler showed greater improvements
in isokinetic strength and muscular endurance as a result
of training than the control group.
Another New Zealand study examined the effect of deer
velvet antler on recovery from muscle injury. Muscle damage,
indicated by the elevation of a substance called creatine
kinase in the bloodstream, was induced in 30 athletes in
the trial. Those athletes who had been taking New Zealand
deer velvet powder for two weeks previously showed significantly
reduced elevation of creatine kinase levels in their bloodstream,
possibly indicating less muscle damage.
Athletes taking deer velvet also reported a recovery from
muscle soreness 24 hours earlier than the subjects taking
a placebo.
Blood Pressure
Velvet has a strong influence on blood pressure—it lowers
the arterial blood pressure, apparently due to its ability
to increase the dilation of the peripheral blood vessels.
It is interesting to note that while velvet extract has
this marked hypotensive effect in normal people, it has
also been shown to restore blood pressure to normal in
both hypo- and hyper-tensive patients.
Deer velvet may also be useful for improving heart function,
regulating hearts with arrhythmias and increasing the blood
flow in subjects with chronically poor circulation.
A Russian study of patients with hypertension caused by
heart disorders found that velvet extract lowered blood
pressure in 84% of patients.
Cancer
There is considerable anecdotal evidence, and now some
scientific evidence from Korean studies, to suggest deer
velvet may be helpful in the prevention and management
of cancer. Deer velvet is thought to act synergistically
with anti-cancer drugs by amplifying their action, it also
appears to reduce their side effects.
Immune System
Research has shown that treating human white blood cells
with extracts of deer velvet antler stimulated the immune
system, as measured by increased production of white blood
cells which fight infection.
Restorative Tonic
Deer velvet appears to have the ability to restore bodily
processes to normal during illness and stress. It has been
found to be useful in promoting recovery and a restoration
of health in convalescents, undernourished and tubercular
children, and those weakened by viral infections and chronic
diseases. It promotes the restoration of blood pressure,
improved mood, digestion, stamina and body weight.
Sexual Function in Men and Women
Velvet seems to have the ability to strengthen and balance
the hormonal systems of both men and women.
In Russia, pantocrin, an extract of velvet antler, is
regarded as one of the most effective known remedies for
impotence. Velvet antler shows androgenic and gonadotrophic
effects, meaning that it helps to regulate the activity
of the sex organs. It contains biologically active substances
of both the male and female sex hormone types. The sex
hormones oestrone, testosterone and a substance similar
to progesterone have been identified at low levels in velvet.
Studies have shown that velvet boosts testosterone and
oestrogen levels in rats, and can stimulate growth and
increase the weight of both the seminal vesicles and prostate.
Deer velvet antler extract is widely prescribed in Russia
for treating menstrual problems and alleviating the symptoms
of menopause in women. Women taking deer velvet have reported
reduced symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), a heightened
sexual interest and increased vitality. The velvet extract
pantocrin was found to be useful in treating menopausal
disorders of circulation. It is also used to treat depression
and psychological problems in women. Some of the menopausal
women treated with this extract even started menstruating
again.
In China, women use velvet antler for infertility, and
take it during pregnancy to enhance the health of mother
and baby, during childbirth to aid in the baby’s delivery,
and after childbirth as a general tonic to increase lactation
and restore and rejuvenate the mother’s energy and health.
Strokes and Heart Disease
A Japanese study found that some of the components of
deer velvet reduce the blood’s tendency to clot and thin
the blood - improving circulation and reducing the risk
of strokes and heart disease.
Wound Healing
Research has shown that deer velvet aids the healing of
wounds and ulcers. The high level of phosphate, calcium
and other minerals, as well as growth hormone precursors
found in deer velvet, are possible reasons why it is so
effective in healing bones and wounds and helping with
arthritic complaints.
Japanese studies have also shown
the deer velvet extract appears to speed up the healing
of damaged nerve tissue, and also aids in the recovery
of patients suffering from cervical and whiplash injuries.
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