Deer Antler Velvet Benefits, Information, Studies, Research - Duke's Materia Tonica
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Deer antler velvet is widely used a food supplement that vitalizes, tonifies, and strengthens the body ^ and has been used for over 2000 years ^.
Deer antler velvet is a unique mammalian organ that fully regenerates after shedding every year ^ and is known for growing at the highest recorded rate for any mammal ^.
Velvet antler is a beneficial tonic for human consumption ^ from it's unique bioactive concentration of nutrition ^ and the various molecular epigenetic growth factors ^.
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What is Deer Antler Velvet?
Deer antler velvet is a highly popular supplemental food around the world, but is particularly appreciated in Asia for over 2000 years for it's many benefits and healthful properties ^ where it is used as a kidney tonic ^.
A lot of people take deer antler velvet for health and fitness and as a tonic for naturally inducing growth and regeneration of tissues such as muscle, skin, tendons and bone ^.
More than 2,000,000 high-quality pounds are produced every year from world-wide velvet antler farms ^ with New Zealand producing over 1,400,000 pounds ^!
In New Zealand the deer industry business is booming with more than 40 million dollars of export revenue in 2018 for velvet antler ^ with about 98% accommodating the discerning North Asian markets ^.
Indeed, the harvesting and sale of antler velvet is a profitable by-product of raising deer for venison ^.
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Deer antler velvet has the short name 'velvet antler;' the 'velvet' in the name refers to the velvety-hair covered skin ^ that secrets proteins and growth factors that grow and develop all parts of the soft vascularized young antler at high speeds ^.
Deer antler velvet grows on the heads of bucks, stags and bulls in the spring and early summer ^ as peptide-hormones, such as IGF-1, are secreted for growth ^ for very-fast size increases of the velvet antler stick when it grows quickly over the spring and early summer ^ at a rate of up to 1cm per day due to the various growth factors ^.
Velvet antler sticks are not bone and are a unique tissue that is high in bioactive and digestible proteins, which are predominantly collagens ^, and also includes essential waxy lipid, and bio-available mineral and trace mineral containing tissue ^.
Types of Deer Antler Velvet
There are different types of deer antler velvet which have different studied benefits related to their different constituent compositions ^.
1. Cervus Nippon Temminck
Native to Asia, including Japan ^, and raised on traditional family farms in rural China ^.
Red Elephant Deer †
2. Cervus Elaphus Linnaeus
Native to Europe ^ and commercially ranch-harvested in New Zealand ^
3. Rangifer Tarandus
Siberian and North American Caribou Reindeer ^ which are wild harvested and game managed ^.
4. Cervus Canadensis
American and Canadian Wapiti Elk ^ are raised by an association of independent ranchers ^ which must be processed to avoid chronic wasting disease that may be found in North America sourced elk ^.
Harvesting and Processing
All parts of the antler velvet stick are harvested in summer when the highest active constituent concentrations are measurable, such as IGF-1 ^. The is done before the antlers harden and calcify in the fall ^.
The harvesting of deer antler velvet ^ is painless and does not kill the deer and is done according to a Code of Practice ^.
The removed velvet sticks are hygienically processed to perverse the unique concentration of nutrition ^. The lengthy processing of velvet antler involves repeated boiling and drying of the velvet sticks ^ which will reduce their weight by up to 50% or more.
Finally, velvet antlers are graded and sold according to industry guidelines and standards ^.
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Deer Antler Velvet Sections:
Antler velvet grows thickest with higher active constituents in adult males ^. Although all part of the velvet antler contain unique nutrition ^, most active constituents are found towards the ends of the deer antler velvet sticks ^ and external tissues layers ^.
There are three general parts to a velvet antler stick which are known as the wax, blood and bone pieces ^.
- The tips and tops are the wax piece due to a larger volume of gel-like lipids and peptides, such as immunopeptides such as ^ cytokines ^, and growth factors such as IGF-1, IGF-2, all of which form the basis for antler proliferation.
- The middle of the stick is the blood piece that is unique rapidly growing cartilage that is richly vascularized and includes various proteins such as ^ collagens ^, a group of chondroitin sulfates called ^ proteoglycans, glucosamines, and mineral enzyme co-factors.
- The bone piece is both the bottom and base sections which have not ossified and is the section highest in calcium ^ and other essential minerals.
Different parts of the velvet antler contain different nutrition; and all parts work synergistically together, depending on how they are formulated, to create a holistic supplement.
Deer Antler Velvet Benefits †
Deer Antler Velvet Supplements have these Key Benefits:
- Maintain stable long-lasting energy levels*
- Promote joint flexibility and muscular strength*
- Relief of minor aches and discomfort in joints and muscles*
- Support tissue repair and regeneration of skin, muscle and bone*
- Promote physical recovery and injury repair*
- Promote vascular performance and heart circulation*
- Support healthy weight loss*
- Support physique enhancement goals*
- Support daily stress-resistance*
- Build immune function*
- Promote healthy endocrine function*
- Adrenal hormones*
- Testosterone production in males*
- Balanced hormone production in women*
- Promote healthy sexuality and male and female sexual interest/intimacy*
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Deer Antler Velvet Benefits Intro
Deer antler velvet is used as an adaptogen for many different people for different reasons to support health, wellness and fitness performance.
The main health benefits of deer antler velvet are immunity, anti-fatigue, athletic performance, anti-aging, joint health, regeneration and growth ^.
Like numerous animal foods, deer antler velvet contains naturally occurring polypeptides such as growth factors like IGF-1 ^ that naturally supports healthy hormone function in everyone and testosterone in those with male sex organs.
Deer Antler Velvet Use Across Cultures
For the Chinese, velvet antler is known as 'lu rong' and considered a tonic in Chinese herbalism ^ that promotes wellness. The Chinese use deer antler velvet for medicine ^ and supporting healthy kidney yang jing and yin jing ^ and to strengthen the heart yang ^, support joint health and promote sexual function in women and men.*
The Koreans and Japanese use deer antler velvet for increasing adaptogenic resistance, supporting healthy growth in children and young boys and girls ^ and for strengthening weak joints, muscles and circulation.*
The Russians use deer antler velvet for numerous adaptive benefits ^ as an adaptogen. The scientifically tested alcohol based velvet antler tincture extract, called pantocrine, is an adaptogenic tonic to boost circulation, sexual function, decrease muscle fatigue and increase work capacity ^. The alcohol extract, nicknamed 'panty,' may also be used to generate warmth in the cold winter months as a general tonic for regeneration, recovery and growth ^.
Americans and Europeans have begun to import deer antler velvet from New Zealand and China as a quality peptide and amino acid supplement for joints ^, glandular hormonal support, and fitness performance.*
A single extensive study by the scientists actually conclude that deer antler velvet, from the sika deer, improves fatigue effects by several factors including skeletal muscle contraction and mass from particular protein expressions ^.*
One should think ‘physical’ when they take deer antler velvet.
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Continue onward to learn how deer antler velvet specifically works by referencing al the all the previous sources and bio-nutritional science.
Circulation Benefits
Dosing with deer antler is invigorating to the cardiovascular system; generating warmth and support fatigue resistance through better oxygenation ^. The proteins in deer antler velvet are responsible for supporting vascular tissue regeneration and growth ^.
One of the major ways deer antler velvet works is by supporting the flow of blood through the heart, brain, muscles and joints.
When deer antler velvet is extracted into alcohol, it’s possible to preserve unique lipids that support the circulatory system. These lipids work much in the same way as essential fatty acids do for circulation.
Additionally, the natural concentration of minerals are superb for holistically maintaining the circulation of blood and energy. These minerals are enzymatically active in an easily absorbable nutritional bio-available concentration, so they easily work with the body's systems.
Strength and Stamina
It is because of the various constituents that deer antler velvet encourages strength and stamina concerning athletic performance ^. Even insufficient short-term dosages of crude powder supplementation show strength and endurance benefits ^.
Stronger Nerves
Deer antler velvet assists muscle contraction and nerve impulses while supporting the protection ^, production and regeneration of nerve fibers ^ including neuron production in the brain ^.
The major essential mineral calcium, in addition to others, strengthens muscle and heart contractions. And another important mineral, magnesium, supports the relaxation of heart and muscles between contractions for on-the-go recovery. This interplay of calcium and magnesium from contraction and to relaxation and back again maintains stamina.
This is why it is super popular with hard workers, weightlifters, bodybuilders, and elite athletes; as well as anyone participating in strenuous physical activity.
So the holistic nutrition works together and as a result of the circulation being supported, oxygenated blood flows into cellular tissue for more energy and more productive work and efficient workouts.
Plus, more responsive blood-flow shuttles used-blood from muscles to the liver more effectively for lactic acid conversion back into energy; thus maintaining the lactic acid cycle.
Adrenal and Immune Support
Taking deer antler velvet daily strengthens the whole body, including the adrenal gland ^ while supporting immune system function ^ for more effective immune response ^.
It is a tonic that supports the body to become physically resilient, so we get better at getting things done.
The adrenals sit on top of the kidneys and, being part of the kidneys, they need lot’s of healthy circulating blood-flow to function during challenging times so that one can last longer during hard work.
Additionally, deer antler velvet is an adaptogen that modifies the immune system depending on the stress and activity levels ^.
This means the adrenal will maintain nourishment and that we can last longer at doing what needs to get done in our day.
So, no matter who you are, strenuous activity will not fatigue you as much nor cause you as much muscle and joint soreness.
Bone, Joint, Skin, and Nail Health
Deer antler velvet contains a combination of nutrients, such as IGF-1, calcium, and testosterone, which support bone strength, bone cell proliferation, and bone mineralization ^.
Although some people report less joint discomfort ^, deer antler velvet is regulated as a supplement and, even though it improves quality of life and well-being ^ and there is evidence it might treat disease, it doesn't treat disease ^.
Deer antler velvet is high in easily digestible bio-active collagen peptides ^ that are good for hard bodily tissues, like tendons, ligaments, as well as cushioning between the joints.
It contains:
- Collagen
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Glucosamine
- Chondroitin Sulfate
- Growth-factors
- Manganese
All of the above constituents work together to support healthy joint function and ensures better muscular range of motion, for better flexible strength ^.
Deer antler velvet may be applied to the skin for regeneration, as the proteins and growth factors are integral for skin health ^.
And specifically, the growth-factors help to maintain the integrity of the body’s tissues; more about these in the next benefit.
Recovery and Injury Healing
All of the previous benefits combined improve the body’s recuperation time while supporting anti-aging ^, while also improving healing for injury to bone tissue ^.
Deer antler velvet is an anti-aging nutritional tonic that promotes youthful lasting energy and regeneration recovery support, even when applied topically to the skin ^ by adding the liquid extract to lotion.
And deer antler velvet is packed with raw nutrition that supports bodily growth and healing and to maintain energy levels to stay mentally focused ^.
Primarily, the naturally occurring polypeptides, like IGF-1 and cytokines, maintain a state of regeneration and support the growth of healthy cells while also preserving bone mass and density ^.
The growth factors and cytokines found in deer antler work by signalling the endocrine and immune system to better communicate with other cells and assist wound healing and injury recovery ^.
We do not heal in a day, but deer antler velvet will augment the supplement program so that healing works significantly better ^ and more reliably for daily soft tissue regeneration ^.
A Note About Intimacy
The Chinese use deer antler velvet to support healthy intimacy and genital health.
Now you see how deer antler velvet works by supporting circulation, strength and stamina.
And we know being weak and tired kills intimacy faster than your head hitting-the-pillow.
Having enough strength and energy is necessary to perform, but most of all, maintaining stamina and blood-flow is a key ingredient to satisfying intimacy.
This is achieved best with the alcohol liquid extract, as the powder capsule form is nutritional in nature and is not shown to benefit intimacy in males nor females ^.
Get Your Deer Antler Velvet
Although they vary with the mode of supplementation, namely, liquid extract, powder capsules or slices, deer antler velvet is easy-to-take on a daily basis; which is the best way to get tangible results so that it may work by building-up the body's nutrition.
Deer antler velvet capsules are easy to take for their nutritional joint-health, recovery and anti-aging benefits. Take them in the morning and before meals for best assimilation and absorption.*
Deer antler velvet liquids are the most absorbable and of highest potency. In addition to the capsule benefits liquid extracts support circulation, anti-fatigue adrenal benefits, growth and regeneration hormones and intimacy.*
If you are seeking the the strength, athletic performance, and rapid recovery benefits take a look at the higher alcohol extract version called Power Velvet.*
Add additional tonic herbal nutrition to support growth and regeneration endocrine function and anti-aging benefits with the Regen Elixir, which contains Goji, Kelp and any other tonics.*
Or plug into the Power Pack for maximum consistency in dosing and a full spectrum program of deer antler velvet for all the benefits!*
References for Further Reading
All scientific and industry references contained in above blog for informational purposes only.
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1. Comprehensive Online Book
On traditional and modern uses of deer antler velvet. Covers a scientific explanation of deer antler velvet and outlines studies concerning recuperative and performance benefits.
- John S. Church: Velvet Antler ^, accessed 2019
2. Comprehensive Books for Purachase
Easy to use resources with personal testimony and professional interpretation of references and studies.
- Alison Davidson: Velvet Antler ^, 2013
- Betty and Paul Kamen: The Remarkable Healing Power of Velvet Antler ^, 1999
3. An Online Overview
What deer antler velvet is, the various applications and insights of use, composition, performance benefits, dosage, and academic interpretation of scientific studies.
- James M. Suttie and Stephen Harris: Positive Health Online - Clinical Properties of Deer Velvet ^, 2000
4. Book with a Relevant Entry
Scientific insight into how deer antler velvet works.
- Donald R Yance: Adaptogens in Medical Herbalism ^, 2016
5. An Herbalism View
Deer antler velvet with a brief entry as an endocrine tonic with relevant dosages.
- Deer Antler to Nourish Blood, Bone and Joints ^
- Lu Rong - Velvet Deer Antler ^
- Lesley Tierra: Healing with the Herbs of Life ^, 2003
6. Further Mineral Resources
How the structure of calcium is important for parathyroid function and endocrine system and its role in tissues throughout the body.
Comments
Jason J. Duke - Owner of Tonic Tinctures on September 30, 2020 11:37
Kelvin asked a question.
Q: “Can a person with a health condition or disease take deer antler velvet? Will this affect my blood pressure?”
A: Your physician is the one to ask about the supplements you take in relation to any condition or disease you may have. Most tonics and superfoods like deer antler velvet are high in nutrients and food-grade, so most of the time there shouldn’t be any issues as taking these supplements as part of a complete diet for health and fitness. Deer antler velvet has nutrients that are part of the vascular blood pressure system in the body with vascular health benefits of strengthening the heart and circulation from the electrolytes and lipids that is contains. For example: calcium assist heart contraction and magnesium assists heart relaxation while also being electrolytes that support hydration which is important with how the body maintains blood pressure.
Kelvin Badger on September 30, 2020 11:23
Can a person with a health condition or disease take deer antler velvet? Will this affect my blood pressure?
Jason J. Duke of Tonic Tinctures on October 29, 2019 11:24
J-dog asks some good questions.
Q: J-dog – “Hello I was just wondering if your “deer antler velvet” or “power velvet” contains IGF-1?”
A: Jason – Yes, deer antler velvet does contain IGF-1 just like cheese, milk, and eggs, but in a concentrated form that may be cold-processed to preserve the hormonal peptides known as growth factors. The ‘tips’ of deer antler velvet contain more of the growth factors and more of these ‘tips’ are used in our Power Velvet, but all of our extractions contain IGF-1 and growth factors. Consistency is the key.
Q: J-dog – “Also, was just wondering if these products are ok for use by military members.”
A: Jason – Deer antler velvet is a supplement. Deer antler velvet is not a drug. So unless the military specifically says not to take concentrated nutritional supplements such as deer antler velvet than you should probably avoid consumption. Your question isn’t entirely strange since many ‘marketers’ of deer antler velvet try to sell it like it is some rare and expensive drug, deer antler velvet is not a drug and it is not rare and expensive to derive the many important benefits. You can read about the deer antler spray drug hoax on our blog “What is the Best Deer Antler Velvet Supplement?”
J-dog on October 29, 2019 11:15
Hello I was just wondering if your “deer antler Velvet” or “power velvet” contains IGF-1? Also, was just wondering if these products are ok for use by military members.
Jason J. Duke of Tonic Tinctures on October 1, 2019 11:38
Erik asks a very relevant question to deer antler velvet supplementation.
Q: Erik – “In what way’s would one say that deer antler capsules would be beneficial for my mother who is 56yrs old and is almost always hurting from her lower and upper back muscles as well as Migraine headaches?”
A: Jason – As a supplement, deer antler velvet doesn’t treat migraine headaches, this is best done by her healthcare practitioner. Otherwise, deer antler velvet is good to strengthen muscles, joints and posture, so this would be a reasonable nutritional way to strengthen the body from it’s full-spectrum of nutrition, such as collagen, glucosamine, and hyaluronic acid for building up joint cartilage, including bio-available calcium, magnesium and manganese which all help muscle contraction and relaxation and release respectively. Other growth factors and peptides will benefit regeneration for better recovery and anti-fatigue benefits. Altogether, these nutrients will help with joint discomfort and muscle soreness for just about anyone. The capsules are an easy way to take deer antler velvet which is best recommended with food and especially meals with enough protein, for example: 4-6 oz of meats or at least 2-3 eggs. Be sure to get that protein in every meal to take full advantage of deer antler velvet. At least 2 capsules with 1-3 meals a day will be a great addition to any diet, the breakfast dose often important for many clients. See our capsule page for more dosage suggestions. A good combination for joint and muscle health is deer antler velvet and cinnamon powder or dark-colored blue and purple berries like blueberries or even a super affordable grape seed extract. We have a blog post titled ‘Benefits of Dark Colored Plant Pigment Polyphenols’ which includes joint health and discomfort as a studied benefit from including these potent superfoods in one’s nutritional program.
Erik Rodriguez on September 29, 2019 11:33
In what way’s would one say that deer antler capsules would be beneficial for my mother who is 56yrs old and is almost always hurting from her lower and upper back muscles as well as Migraine headaches?
Jason J. Duke - Owner of Tonic Tinctures on September 28, 2019 18:49
Teri asked a question about capsules.
Q: Teri – “I am looking into testing out the deer antler capsules – are these made with the tips or just the bottoms?”
A: Jason – Thanks for allowing us to clear up any confusion you may encountered by contrived marketing elsewhere on the internet about deer antler velvet. We use a freshly powdered formulation of all parts of the deer antler velvet in our capsules, but we especially focus on using the middles section which is full of constituents that are raw materials that benefit the joints and the regeneration of tissues. The tips are known for their waxy lipids and are better extracted and absorbed by using hydro-alcohol tinctures as according to the Russian research; the Power Velvet using the most waxy tips during extraction. All of our deer antler velvet formulas use bottoms because of their necessary highly concentered essential mineral co-enzyme factors. Overall capsules are a very good economical source of the wide spectrum of velvet antler nutrition for those not directly interested in the alcohol extract benefits found in the tinctures. Please see our capsules page for more information about comparisons between liquids and capsules.
Teri on September 28, 2019 18:27
I am looking into testing out the deer antler capsules – are these made with the tips or just the bottoms?
Jason J. Duke - Owner of Tonic Tinctures on September 17, 2019 22:52
Thanks for the question!
Q: Mike – “Hi. Does deer antler velvet become more beneficial the older one gets?”
A: Jason – Great question Mike! In fact, deer antler velvet is beneficial for the young and old. And the middle-aged! Everyone can benefit from the essential nutrition within deer antler velvet, such as bio-available necessary trace minerals, essential lipids that support circulation and heart health, and peptides that support joints, gut health and hormones that naturally keep one vital, youthful and regenerating when taken as part of a complete diet and conscientious lifestyle. We’ve had feedback of better feeling knees, fingers, wrists and lower backs, because the combination of constituents feed the joints, muscle and circulation to help with any discomfort one may have in these problem areas. And the nutrition is important for the body so that it may work better and have energy to do what we want. And its easy-to-take everyday with a highly absorbable liquid extract so you get your bang for the buck!
Mike Brown on September 17, 2019 04:02
Hi. Does deer antler velvet become more beneficial the older one gets?
Jason J. Duke - Owner of Tonic Tinctures on September 16, 2019 22:47
Thanks for all the questions, feel free to ask more! I’ll start with the first one and work my way down the list.
Q: Tom – “Which deer antler is the best quality?”
A: Jason – Hi Tom, all of great quality, what is important is to choose what is a best fit for your health, nutrition and lifestyle goals. We always recommend starting with the regular strength Deer Antler Velvet and moving up to the stronger Power Velvet if you need more potency.
Q: Rachelle – “I want to get this for exercising and losing weight which one do I get”
A: Jason – Good question Rachelle. Choose a liquid version since these are performance oriented that will assist exercise with anti-fatigue benefits and joint health and make things easier as you move towards your physique goals. We always recommend starting with the regular strength Deer Antler Velvet and moving up to the stronger Power Velvet if you need more potency. What is important is to be consistent with the daily dosages for best results.
Q: Gregory M. – "Does deer antler velvet have side-effects, will this cause my hormones to get messed up and is it dangerous?
A: Jason – Deer antler velvet is not a drug and does not have side effects. Deer antler velvet is not a steroid drug and will not interfere with hormones. Deer antler velvet is not dangerous when used correctly as a concentrated dietary food supplement that is added to a healthy diet and lifestyle. Please see our blog post ‘What is the Best Deer Antler Velvet Supplement’ to help clear up any confusion.
Q: Teri – “I have been looking at the reference material on your web page. I was reading about the Russian way of extracting the healthful properties and that they use mural blood in process. Do you use blood from the animal as well or is blood used in any way or found in your products?”
A: Jason – Excellent question for someone digging deep and learning. First the Russian way of extracting deer antler velvet is to take the blood-drained, hot-water cleaned and sanitized velvet antler sticks and begin a lengthy process of repeatedly drying them according to tradition and government and industry food handling standards. Next is to slice the sticks and possibly further powder it where the deer antler velvet is then added to alcohol. A weaker alcohol spirit extraction can be made at home or a lab concentrated extraction can be produced for the scientific benefits. No blood is used in the making of deer antler velvet since that is immediately drained at the farm and sold or consumed fresh as a native and cultural food in Russia and Asia which is usually reserved for those who wish to have deer blood. Deer blood is a by-product of deer antler velvet production and deer antler velvet is a by product of raising deer for meat on farms. Deer farming is an ethically regulated industry overseen by government and/or industry licensed veterinarians depending on the country. Lastly, our products do not use Maral Deer as these are usually hunted and corralled by hunters according to regulations, instead we use the Chinese Plum Blossom Deer Velvet and New Zealand Red Deer Velvet, since these are the largest industries that farm deer and are the most regulated with consistency in quality. That article is given for reference to show how deer are important part of some cultures diet and lives, plus it mentions the traditional alcohol extract and it also mentions how some people can take food and supplements a bit too far with expectations. Always use dietary food supplements as part of healthy complete diet and active lifestyle for best benefits and consult a professional when and where appropriate. Thanks again for this great question.
Teri on September 16, 2019 22:18
I have been looking at the reference material on your web page. I was reading about the Russian way of extracting the healthful properties and that they use mural blood in process. Do you use blood from the animal as well or is blood used in any way or found in your products?
Gregory M. on September 15, 2019 19:07
Does deer antler velvet have side-effects, will this cause my hormones to get messed up and is it dangerous?
rachelle on September 15, 2019 13:29
I want to get this for exercising and losing weight which one do I get
Tom on September 15, 2019 13:13
Which deer antler is the best quality?