As
resistance to disease is controlled by the immune system, any remedies that
work to strengthen this defensive system are becoming much in demand, and with
the results of New Zealand scientific research now backing up the claims of
traditional Chinese medicine, velvet antler can now take its place in western
healthcare as one of nature’s most potent and effective immune boosters.
Improved Athletic Performance
The
success of Russian athletes has been attributed to the use of deer velvet in
Olympic training programmes, significantly increasing endurance and muscular
strength, and attracting the attention of sports doctors and trainers around
the world who are seeking safe and natural alternatives to synthetic steroids.
Dr
Arkady Koltun, Chairman of the Medical Committee for the Russian Bodybuilding
Federation, is one of the foremost Russian researchers into anabolic agents
that can improve the performance of athletes.
Working with kayakers, weightlifters, bodybuilders and power lifters, Dr
Koltun found that deer velvet actually increases muscular strength – a property
that is termed myotropic. He also found
that it had potent nerve strengthening, or neurotropic properties and is beneficial
in treating infectious diseases, fatigue and hypertension.
More
recent scientific studies carried out in New Zealand have been adding weight to
the earlier Russian research. Tests
carried out in Otago University in 1998 showed physical education students
using deer velvet had almost twice the improvement in a strength test as those
taking a placebo. And New Zealand
athletes sponsored by the game industry board to test deer velvet as a safe and
legal performance enhancer have had stunning success, including world record
rower Rob Waddell, champion triathlete Hamish Carter, and Australian surf
lifesaving queen Janene Harker.
Another
veteran who takes velvet daily is top golfer Bob Charles. At the height of the British Open two years
ago he said along with healthy eating habits and vitamins, two deer velvet
capsules a day kept him feeling young.
“I don’t feel a day over 30,” he said.
“I’m 60, going on 30.”
The
nutrient rich, fast growing cartilage also contains many growth factors that
are under close investigation at AgResearch.
During preliminary ‘in vitro’ studies, velvet extracts were found to not
only improve cell growth, but also demonstrated anti-tumor and anti-viral
properties.
During
their investigations, the Invermay team measured high levels of a natural
hormone called “Insulin-like Growth Factor-1” or “IGF-1”. Dr. Suttie’s group discovered that IGF-1 and
a related hormone IGF-2, promoted growth in laboratory cells. More recent discoveries from the team have
shown that antler cells are capable of producing IGF themselves.
As
reported in Life Extension magazine, when we are young the concentration of
human growth hormone is relatively high which promotes good musculature and low
body fat. However as the body ages, our
growth hormone levels decrease along with the IGF-1 and the muscles tend to
atrophy. As a natural source of IGF-1,
it’s claimed that deer velvet can help to keep the body lean and the muscles
well developed, of great interest to athletes and body builders.
Deer velvet’s reputation as an Aphrodisiac is wide spread, but is this reputation deserved? The effects of velvet and velvet extract on patients with sexual disorders has been widely documented, especially by Russian clinical researchers, with the result that it is regarded as one of the most effective known remedies for impotence and other sexual problems. It increases the libido and the general sexual function and is found to normalize menstruation and the symptoms of menopause.