![]() These included superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) ( 10). Today, it’s often marketed to athletes for strength, endurance, and healing.ĭeer antler velvet contains nutrients that could, in theory, have health benefits.Ī sample of velvet antlers from the Formosan sambar deer, which are native to Taiwan, was found to contain multiple enzymes with antioxidant properties. It has been used in traditional medicine practices for thousands of years. SUMMARYĭeer antler velvet is a protective, hair-like skin that covers newly grown deer antlers. Unfortunately, many of these touted benefits are poorly researched. The supplement is also claimed to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, promote youthfulness, improve fertility, and more. Today, a quick online search could easily result in a list of more than 30 conditions that the supplement is purported to treat.įor example, people commonly use it to improve strength, endurance, athletic performance, and repair injured muscles and tissues. Traditionally, deer antler velvet has been used to strengthen bones, improve immunity, and treat ailments including toothaches and tissue damage ( 2, 7, 8, 9). Traditional uses and today’s health claims You can also find deer antler extracts and sprays, which are made by combining the powder with an extract solution. The powder is sometimes sold in bulk or capsule form. Then, the velvet is removed from the antler bone, dried, ground into a fine powder, and processed into its supplement form. The animals are put to sleep using anesthesia before the velvet antlers are cut off near the base. To make antler velvet supplements, young, uncalcified deer or elk antlers are surgically removed. For example, they’ve been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years ( 2, 3, 5, 6). This is likely why young deer antler velvet supplements are revered by many traditional medicine practices. In fact, deer and elk shed and regrow their antlers every year ( 1, 2, 3, 4). What makes deer antlers so special is that they’re among the fastest-growing bones of any animal. Deer antler velvet is the soft, fuzzy, protective hair that covers the bone and cartilage of newly grown antlers that haven’t yet calcified, or hardened.
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