Despite the limited scientific backing, Fadogia Agrestis is gaining popularity as a dietary supplement for bodybuilders, particularly due to its potential to boost testosterone levels. This West African plant has become a part of the larger Testosterone Supplements meta trend, driven by the growing concern over declining testosterone levels in men over the past several decades.
Studies reveal a consistent decline in testosterone levels among men, a trend expected to persist. As a result, there has been a notable surge in searches for "testosterone supplements," which have increased by 74% over the past five years. Men seeking to address this decline are turning to various testosterone-boosting products, with Turkesterone and tongkat ali supplements being among the most sought-after options.
While Fadogia Agrestis remains a subject of ongoing research, preliminary studies have hinted at its potential to enhance testosterone levels. This has led to a notable market presence, with Fadogia Agrestis capsules generating approximately a lot of interest on Amazon.
Elk velvet antler supplements, like Fadogia Agrestis, are emerging as a potential ally for bodybuilders seeking to naturally boost testosterone levels. While Fadogia Agrestis has traditional roots, elk velvet antler supplements bring their own set of benefits to the table. These supplements are believed to aid in muscle recovery, joint health, and overall physical performance, making them a holistic choice for fitness enthusiasts.
In the ever-evolving landscape of dietary supplements, the quest for natural testosterone boosters continues to drive the popularity of products like Fadogia Agrestis and elk velvet antler supplements. While research on Fadogia Agrestis is still in its early stages, elk velvet antlers have been used over hundreds of years and in the last 60 years, scientific research has proven its efficacy in may areas including:
for full body recovery and strong anti-aging for both men and women
Elk velvet antler is also the only supplement in the market that has (IGF1) insulin like growth factor1.
The parallels drawn between these supplements suggest a promising avenue for bodybuilders looking to optimize their performance and address the challenges posed by declining testosterone levels. As the demand for testosterone supplements continues to rise, exploring the potential synergies between traditional remedies and emerging solutions opens new doors for the fitness community.
]]>Used in practice for last 10 years, she has seen the results in her patients, adding, "Get ready to be the best of your life, don't wait until the new year, this is the best kept secret."
Dr. Angelica Kokkalis endorses this product (which can be bought online here) for staying young, a variety of things (listed) below, and for athletic performance enhancement.
Disclaimer: This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Perhaps the most well-publicized study of antler’s strength and muscle-enhancing attributes involved a blind trial of New Zealand athletes. Volunteers were divided into two groups, with height, weight and age closely balanced. The first group received 70 mg of velvet antler extract per day for 10 weeks, while a control group received a placebo. Subjects underwent moderate flex and weight training, and were tested twice during the 10-week period and once following the 10 weeks. The athletes were also scanned with a Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry Scanner (DEXA) before and after the trial to determine any changes in body composition.
The researchers found that muscular endurance doubled among the velvet antler group, tending to support the assertion of previous studies that velvet antler improves muscle activity. At the same time, the athletes taking antler lost more body fat than those in the control group, but did not increase muscle size. The researchers speculate that antler use may boost muscle efficiency without increasing in muscle mass. Results of the DEXA scans also suggested that velvet antler may improve muscle dynamic activity. The New Zealand researchers theorized that the antler extract may improve blood supply to muscles or act as an anti-inflammatory, allowing athletes to recover faster from training sessions.
Athletes from New Zealand and other countries — swimmers and mountaineers to rugby players and golfers — have used velvet antler to increase strength, vitality and endurance. Other athletes and professionals requiring strength and endurance are also using antler as a legal substitute for anabolic steroids. Researchers at the University of Alberta, Canada, tested antler’s ability to increase strength and endurance on cadets from the Edmonton police academy. The researchers found that use of velvet antler significantly increased blood plasma testosterone levels in the men participating in the study.
Elk antler velvet has been used for regenerative muscle and tissue repair and as an energy source in traditional Chinese medicine. Considered as a yang tonic (energy, red, warm spectrum), it is often given to children who need help with growth spurts and to injured people to help them recover and heal faster, but it can also be used as a supplement for bodybuilding. One bodybuilder said:
"American Elk Velvet is pretty good stuff. I have been taking it non-stop. I have pushed my workouts pretty hard to see how my recovery time has been and it has been minimal even with an above the top workout. My chest the next few days didn’t feel like I had done much of anything! Last night I did something I haven’t done in years…run. For the longest time, I have feared running because I have had 3 knee surgeries and I did quick sprints. This morning I was assuming the worst with my knee pain and swelling but I haven’t had an issue so far. Good Stuff!"
There is also some evidence to suggest that elk velvet antler may have certain properties which could potentially aid in recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage. If you're looking to improving athletic performance and recovery time, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional before taking any new supplement to ensure that it is safe and appropriate for you.
]]>Take elk velvet antler supplements: Elk velvet antler supplements are available in a variety of forms, including capsules, tablets, powders, and tinctures. Follow the dosage instructions on the product label or consult with a healthcare professional for guidance on the appropriate dosage.
Eat elk velvet antler-infused foods: Some companies produce elk velvet antler-infused products, such as energy bars or protein powders. These products can be incorporated into your diet as a snack or as part of a meal.
Cook with elk velvet antler: Some people use elk velvet antler as an ingredient in soups, stews, or other dishes. However, it is important to note that cooking elk velvet antler may affect its potency and effectiveness.
It is important to note that the safety and effectiveness of elk velvet antler have not been fully established, and more research is needed to understand the potential benefits and risks of using this supplement. It is always important to speak with a healthcare professional before taking any new supplement to ensure that it is safe and appropriate for you.
]]>Some studies have suggested that elk velvet antler may have properties which could potentially benefit joint health. For example, a study in rats found that elk velvet antler extract improved joint function in animals with osteoarthritis. However, it is important to note that this study was conducted in animals and it is not known if the same effects would be seen in humans.
Additionally, some people claim that elk velvet antler can help reduce joint pain and improve joint mobility, but there is limited scientific evidence to support these claims. More research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of elk velvet antler for joint health and to determine the optimal dosage and duration of use.
]]>Elk velvet antler is a supplement that is believed to have a number of potential health benefits, including improving athletic performance, increasing muscle mass and strength, reducing inflammation, and improving immune function. However, the scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited and more research is needed to understand the potential benefits and risks of using elk velvet antler.
There are many other natural remedies that are used for a variety of health conditions, including herbs, vitamins, minerals, and other supplements. The effectiveness of these remedies can vary and is often not supported by scientific evidence. It is important to be cautious when using natural remedies and to speak with a healthcare professional before using any new supplement to ensure that it is safe and appropriate for you.
]]>It is always important to speak with a healthcare professional before taking any new supplement to ensure that it is safe and appropriate for you. It is also important to note that the safety and effectiveness of elk velvet antler have not been fully established, and more research is needed to understand the potential benefits and risks of using this supplement.
]]>"American Elk Velvet is pretty good stuff. I have been taking it non-stop. I have pushed my workouts pretty hard to see how my recovery time has been and it has been minimal even with an above the top workout. My chest the next few days didn’t feel like I had done much of anything! Last night I did something I haven’t done in years…run. For the longest time, I have feared running because I have had 3 knee surgeries and I did quick sprints. This morning I was assuming the worst with my knee pain and swelling but I haven’t had an issue so far. Good Stuff!" -J. Gaines
]]>"Love the Elk Velvet!" -Holly S.
"I love this stuff. Really gives me energy like a young guy again!" -Jordan C.
"I have never had any issues ordering the elk velvet. I love and recommend the elk velvet." -Dustin K.
"It took me about a week to begin to notice a difference, but my back doesn't hurt and I have more energy than I have had in years! This stuff really works!" -Matt G.
To be effective as a nutrient-rich supplement, elk antler velvet must be collected and processed prior to their calcification. When calcified, antler becomes hardened because it does not have any blood supply. Therefore, the collection of elk antler velvet is usually done at the half-grown stage just prior to the last budding of the main branch.
Elk naturally shed their antlers, but those do not provide the nutrients desired for medicinal purposes. Producers continue to use these antlers even with the foreknowledge of their inferiority.
Optimal Harvesting
Elk antler velvet is at an optimal composition between 55 to 65 days of growth. The exact timing of elk velvet collection balances the maximum length of the branch and the minimum calcification of the lower section of the antler.
We monitor the growth of antler for each elk very closely to determine the optimal time for collection, which varies by individual animal. By putting in this additional effort, we significantly increase the strength and effectiveness of our product.
Quantity Over Quality
Elk antler velvet is sold on the open market primarily by weight. Low-grade elk antler velvet manufacturers intentionally collect their elk antler velvet at a suboptimal time to increase the weight.
These companies purposely delay the collection to 70 days or longer to maximize their inventory despite the fact the active ingredients of the elk antler velvet decreases dramatically during this time frame. In other words, our competitors willingly produce a lower quality product in order to have more product for sale.
]]>Elk antlers are used primarily for mating purposes, to battle other male elk for mating rights. Antlers require a great deal of nutrients and energy to grow; only the healthiest elk can grow large antlers. Hard antlers are comprised mostly out of calcium and phosphorus. This is because elk do not consume much calcium as part of their diet; therefore, the calcium in their antlers is produced by chemical reactions in their bodies, which draws heavily on the animal’s mineral reserves. Thus, the size of antlers is an external demonstration of an elk’s fitness.
Antler Growth
Male elk grow their first set of antlers when they hit puberty, at approximately one year of age. Testosterone plays an important part of the antler cycle. The seasonal changes in the amount of daylight ultimately control the secretion of the reproductive hormone, testosterone, in males. Growth of antlers typically begins in spring, as testosterone levels increase in response to increasing day light. An elk’s antlers can grow at a rate of ¼ inch per day. In just four months, elk antlers are fully developed.
When the antlers are growing, they are soft to the touch or spongy. Unlike horns, which are keratinized tissue, antlers are organs. They have blood vessels, nerves, skin, cartilage and bone.
Antler growth is one of the fastest known types of tissue growth in mammals, and the only example of an organ that is shed and regrown each year.
Antler Shedding
Towards the middle of summer, the antlers reach their full size and the cartilage in the antler begins to calcify. By late summer, when testosterone levels are at their peak, the blood vessels shut down around the base of the antlers and the antlers harden into bone.
Hard antlers remain on the elk through the peak until late fall or early winter. As the deer’s testosterone levels drop off, the antlers are shed. Antlers are grown and shed every year.
]]>Amino acids - precursors for all protein production, aids tissue growth, muscle recovery and repair
Insulin-like growth factors (IGF-1) - promotes muscle growth, tissue growth and organ health
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) - protein that stimulates cell growth to produce collagen, for cell renewal and wound healing
Collagen - a structural protein present in bone, tendons, ligaments, other connective tissue and articular cartilage
Glucosamine - builds, maintains and repairs joint structures including bone, cartilage, ligaments, joint fluids and tendons
Chondroitin - helps protect and rebuild degenerating cartilage, gives cartilage elasticity, an anti-inflammatory agent
Hyaluronic acid - a substance that binds cartilage cells together and lubricates joints
Phospholipids - builds cell components and enhances cellular activities, repairs structural damage caused by free radicals, pathogens and toxins
Glycosphingolipids - compounds involved with growth and metabolism of cells and with memory and learning
Prostaglandins - regulates contraction and relaxation of muscles, regulates inflammatory mediation
Calcium - builds and maintains bones, teeth and nerves, important for muscle contraction, nerve transmission, blood pressure and blood clotting
Phosphorus - a key component of metabolic reactions, provides structure for bones and teeth, important for function of heart and kidney
Potassium - essential for electrolyte balance and also muscle and nerve function
Sodium - allows the body to maintain normal fluid balance and electrolytes
Magnesium - helps cells restore and release energy for regular muscle and nerve function
Selenium - powerful antioxidant that reduces infections, protects blood cells, the heart, liver and lungs
Sulphur - element of insulin and various amino acids, protects body against toxins
Zinc - a component of more than 90 enzymes necessary for healthy skin, growth and the healing of wounds
Copper - essential for formation of red blood cells, energy making, bone and connective tissues
Iron - essential in the blood cells transporting oxygen through the body
L-Tyrosine
A "non-essential" amino acid which acts as a mood elevator and appetite suppressant, and produces melanin in the body so it enhances natural hair color; also used as an anti-depressant and anxiety reliever.
Tyrosine makes important brain chemicals that regulate appetite, pain sensitivity, and the body's reaction to stress. It helps to normalize the functions of the thyroid, pituitary, and adrenal glands. It can also help to ease sensitivity to pain.
L-Tyrosine Benefits
Symptoms of Tyrosine Deficiency
Some symptoms of tyrosine deficiency could be hypothyroidism, low blood pressure, chronic fatigue and slow metabolism. The body cannot make its own tyrosine and this may lead to a variety of mental disorders, anxiety, depression, and low libido.
]]>Bodybuilding takes a heavy toll on the body. Bodybuilders literally tear down and then rebuild their muscles; rest and supplementary amino acids (building blocks of protein) are needed so that they will be able to bulk up considerably. Without these three, a bodybuilder’s time at the gym is good for nothing.
Diet, rest and nutrition are as critical in helping promote healthy muscle growth as a solid workout. By getting the body’s hormones and nutritional supplements circulating at the optimum time you can make the biggest difference in your bodybuilding progress.
Bodybuilding Supplements
Bodybuilders are known to take supplements to help them recover from the wear and tear of a workout, allow them to meet the dietary and nutritional requirements needed to bulk up and to let them get results faster.
Most turn to synthetic supplements that often have serious side effects, the very main reason why it is often not advised by physicians.
Elk Antler Velvet and Bodybuilding
Elk antler velvet has been used for regenerative muscle and tissue repair and as an energy source in traditional Chinese medicine. Considered as a yang tonic (energy, red, warm spectrum), it is often given to children who need help with growth spurts and to injured people to help them recover and heal faster.
Modern medicine has discovered key components in elk velvet that help show support for its effectiveness as a bodybuilding supplement:
It is rich in growth factors primarily IGF-1. IGF-1 is a precursor of HGH, the human growth hormone, which plays a huge role in bone and muscle growth in children. This naturally occurring hormone tapers off as they age, as much as 60% from the levels a person had when he or she was 21. This is why as people age, bone loss and muscle wastage occurs more rapidly. Elk antlers grow at a very rapid rate, making them the fastest growing animal tissue in the world. This is why elk antler velvet has been studied for its anabolic properties.
Elk velvet antler is also rich in amino acids: glycine, alanine, proline, and glutamic acid. In addition, phospholipids and several minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and potassium) are present. Studies show that combined with exercise and strength training, elk velvet will increase muscle strength and mass.
These aren’t the only reasons why elk velvet is favored as a natural supplement to bodybuilders. It doesn't only contribute to strength and muscle mass, it also helps repair muscle injuries and tears, allowing recovery time to be faster and a bodybuilder to work out more, helping him to build muscle and bulk up faster.
The components glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin and collagen are also present in elk velvet antler and repair cartilage and damage to joint tissues. Bodybuilders cause too much pressure on their joints when they lift heavy weights.
]]>NSAIDs only mask the underlying problems by relieving symptoms temporarily, but do not address the actual problem area.
American Velvet, on the other hand, contains several compounds that relief the actual issues involved in the problem area:
Prostaglandins, anti-inflammatory agents
Calcium, vital to bones, teeth, nerves, blood clotting, and muscle contraction
Glucosamine, the building block of cartilage and a reported anti-inflammatory easily absorbed by the body
Collagen, a major structural protein that binds joints together and serves as a main component of articular cartilage
Chondroitin sulfate, a carbohydrate that attracts fluid into proteoglycan molecules and protects cartilage from destructive enzymes
These compounds are used to relieve symptoms of pain and swelling and help repair cartilage damage and function in joints with osteoarthritis.
NSAIDs may produce side effects such as liver damage, kidney damage, and bleeding from the intestinal tract.
“NSAIDs block COX enzymes and reduce production of prostaglandins. Therefore, inflammation, pain, and fever are reduced. Since the prostaglandins that protect the stomach and promote blood clotting also are reduced, NSAIDs that block both COX-1 and COX-2 can cause ulcers in the stomach and intestines, and increase the risk of bleeding.” –Annette Ogbru, PharmD
American Velvet does not have any serious side effects to consumers. In fact, our velvet naturally gives you prostaglandins, allowing your stomach lining to improve and reduce bleeding in the intestinal tract.
]]>The Han Institute, which is ran by Dr. Angelica Kokkalis, has deep respect for the animals and their contribution towards Traditional Chinese Medicine. We wanted to bring the quality of what we care for, elk antler velvet, to all of our patients and directly to you.
The North American Elk, considered to be the most robust and healthiest members of the elk species. We always test our animals for any wasting disease or inferiorities to ensure we only harvest from those that are in the best of shape to deliver the best quality of elk antler velvet. Most commercial brands import their velvet source from inferior quality deer in other countries so they can keep lowered production overhead costs. This has resulted in their refusal to buy from Midwest ranchers even though they know that our homeland has the best quality of velvet antler available.
Our harvesting process is compassionate and done under the strictest quality control measures, coordinating with local veterinarians and The Fish and Wildlife Association during velveting. The preparation of the elk antler velvet is done by our in-house, Chinese doctor. We follow the preparations done by traditional Chinese medicine since two thousand years ago. This ensures that what we deliver has the most effective absorption and locked in nutrients needed for elk antler velvet to deliver.
We are driven to provide elk velvet to people who need its health benefits, providing for ranchers in the Midwest and providing quality care to the North American elk we raise, making sure they are able to live their lives without any danger or harm. You can read our goals for American Velvet here.
]]>For one thing, we harvest antler velvet but only use the most nutrient-rich part, the topmost part of the antler, for our capsules. We sell the rest to our contractors. This alone would bring us a step above the rest. Our farm and factory – all manufacturing from caring for elk to harvesting and processing products – are all in our homeland America.
Once we harvest elk antler velvet with no harm coming to the animals, the velvet is dried and de-haired, then chopped in a special blender to make into a fine powder that is placed in capsules that we sell to our consumers. Our process is based on the Ancient Eastern medicine practice of velveting, having a Chinese doctor on staff to oversee and handle production procedures.
Our elk velvet antler is never freeze-dried nor pasteurized because we routinely check our elk against any wasting diseases or inferiorities. We ensure to only harvest the best antler velvet from the fittest elk we have on the ranch. This is important because the step that we don’t take (not freeze-drying nor pasteurizing) gives our products an 85-95% absorption rate, it’s the highest efficacy level available compared to 10-30% absorption rates of other brands or manufacturers).
]]>One of the many health conditions elk velvet antler is said to have an effect on is rheumatism. Rheumatism affects millions of people worldwide. There are two types of rheumatism: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Studies have shown that elk antler velvet have positive effects on both.
What happens when you have rheumatism?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in your joints. It causes inflammation in the synovium. The main symptoms are joint pain and swelling. The inflammation is caused by a build-up of fluid and cells in the synovium. There is an increase of blood flow in the area so it turns red, swells, produces extra fluid and causes pain. As a result, the inflamed joint may feel warmer than usual.
Your nerve endings are irritated by the chemicals produced by the inflammation. The capsule (synovium) is stretched by the swelling in your joint. When the inflammation goes down, the capsule stays stretched and can’t hold your joint in its proper position. This can make your joint unstable, and it can move into unusual or deformed positions.
What happens if you have osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a condition where one’s joints deteriorate, causing pain and stiffness. More specifically the cartilage between bones, articular cartilage, which allows your joints to properly articulate or bend, degenerates. There are three major causes of osteoarthritis - a poor diet, free radicals and other environmental pollutants, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Elk Antler Velvet and Rheumatism
There are substances found in elk antler velvet that have been helpful in alleviating symptoms associated with rheumatism – chondroitin sulfate, collagen, glucosamine sulfate, hyaluronic acid and growth factors.
Glucosamine sulfate has the ability to repair cartilage, with even more success when combined with chondroitin sulfate. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is also present in elk antler velvet, which encourages the absorption of chondroitin sulfate or glucosamine sulfate. Hyaluronic acid lubricates joints.
Studies Done Between Elk Antler Velvet and Rheumatism
Elk antler velvet has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. When it was discovered by the western world, elk and deer farms have opened where velveting, the harvesting of elk velvet antler, can be done in a safe, quality-controlled environment, that is beneficial both to the deer or elk and the manufacturer.
It is compassionately harvested annually throughout the animal’s (called “stags”) productive life, which lasts from age two to about age fifteen. Farmers watch carefully and record the date that each of a stag’s antler "buttons" are shed, which usually happens in February and March.
Velveting involves the surgical removal of velvet antler from male deer (stags). The animal is sedated, restrained, and given an appropriate local anesthetic to prevent pain. After an appropriate time delay that allows the anesthetic to take effect, a rubber tourniquet is applied to the base of each antler, and the antler is surgically removed.
Utmost care and standard safety practices have been passed into law, especially in countries where deer farms are abundant like New Zealand and Australia, to ensure that velveting will be a humane practice.
Once harvesting of velvet is done, deer is usually free to roam, without feeling any side effects from the procedure.
The harvested velvet is then frozen, sterilized, sliced and then manufactured to what are the available forms in the market today.
]]>Elk antler velvet has the following seven components, which is why recent studies have show how it is proven to help treat rheumatoid arthritis – its key components help joint pain and repair muscle tissue dramatically.
Components |
Function |
Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF-1) |
Small proteins produced naturally by the liver through stimulation of growth hormones, IGF-1 is a growth regulating factor and functions to increase lean body mass, reduce fat, build bone, muscle and nerves while assisting in glucose metabolism. IFG-1 encourages the absorption of both chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate. Low levels of IGF-1 seen in aging may reflect as muscle atrophy. |
Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) |
Growth promoting actions on the skin. |
Hyaluronic Acid |
The cement material of connective tissue and component of synovial fluid that ‘cushions' the joint. |
Chondroitin sulfate |
An extremely potent anti-inflammatory agent with long lasting effects. Of the glycoaminoglycans in EVA, almost 90% is chondroitin sulfate. |
Glucosamine sulfate |
A naturally occurring amino sugar with ‘glue-like' qualities to help hold tissues together and a major component of synovial fluid, which lubricates and serves as a shock absorber for joints. |
Erythropoietin |
A hormone naturally produced in the kidneys and released into the bloodstream in response to low oxygen levels and helps to increase oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. |
Prostaglandins |
A chemical messenger produced in virtually all tissues, causing a broad range of positive effects on many of the body's defense systems. |
**An excerpt from "Velvet Antler-A Gift From Nature" by Cindy Ewashkiw, DT and Marion
Other components include the following: Calcium, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium, Sulfur, Zinc, Proteins, Collagen, Lipids, Phospholipids, Glyycosphingolipids, and Keratin Sulfate.
]]>When we talk about the effectiveness of a medicine or supplement, the bio-availability is a huge deciding factor. It means how fast a supplement is absorbed by the body.
Potency (strength of substance) maybe high but once it passes in the body and goes through several organs before being able to be absorbed by the blood, it can lose some of its effectiveness. Pills are swallowed and need to be digested by the intestines to go into the bloodstream. When one takes elk antler pills with food, its potency will be further reduced.
Elk antler sprays are administered sublingually or just under the tongue. When the elk antler spray comes in contact with the mucous membrane, it is immediately diffused through the membrane, into the capillaries, into the bloodstream and passes through the heart. From the heart, it is pumped out into the body, spreading through targeted organs – all this in a matter of seconds.
When taking elk antler velvet, whether in pill or spray form, it is important to know that its effects are gradual and cumulative. Results are developed over time through consistent use.
It is difficult to provide a recommended dose rate for velvet as amounts used around the world have evolved over 2,000 years, historical records may not specify doses, there are differences in the way deer velvet is obtained, processed and administered, and it is frequently administered in combination with other remedies.
A typical Korean dose of velvet antler is 1,200 mg of sliced dried velvet each day with other herbs. This is made into a hot water extract and the resultant broth is filtered and drunk.
Recommended doses of velvet antler in China are 900-1,200 mg/day of velvet antler powder and the liquor from 3,000-4,500 mg/day ground powder boiled in water.
Most deer velvet capsule manufacturers recommend 1 to 4 capsules of dry powder each day. This is equivalent to 250 to 2,800 mg/day depending on the size of the capsule and the precise recommendation. The most commonly recommended dose is two capsules or about 500-750 mg/day.
]]>Elk velvet antler is usually derived from several species of deer, but consists mainly of the young pilose (or hairy) antlers of two major deer species, Cervus nippon, the Japanese or Asian deer (known as hua-lu-rong), and Cervus elaphus, the European red deer (ma-lu-rong). Their antlers are dried and sold as slices and these slices are boiled together with other herbs and ingredients (depending on the illness) and ingested as tea.
It is advised that elk velvet antler be taken before and during the winter months to strengthen the immune system and increase the body’s resistance to stress and illness because of its warming properties. (source)
Most of the world's supply of velvet antler comes from red deer and elk or wapiti, including a large deer farming industry in New Zealand. New Zealand is the world’s largest producer of deer velvet antler, making 450 tons of deer velvet antler per year. China produces 400 tons annually. Russia produces 80 tons annually. United States and Canada each produce 20 tons annually.
Since elk antler velvet is a natural supplement, over dosage is rare. However, there are still recommended doses depending on a person’s health, age and conditional requirement or need. Studies have shown that using deer antler velvet supplements at the recommended doses has no adverse effects or reactions and is nontoxic. Some people have reported to have allergies to elk antler velvet.
The recommended dosage for elk antler velvet is:
The recommended dosage for deer antler velvet extract is:
These doses are supported by research in New Zealand and experience with regular users of elk antler velvet.
]]>But what is most interesting for many is its ability to increase their libido. What’s better, the increased libido occurs naturally and both men and women can use it. Others have touted it as a natural alternative to ViagraTM!
Before we can explain how velvet antler and ViagraTM work together, we need to understand how each of them works separately on the body.
How ViagraTM Works
You can read about a simple explanation on how Viagra works on giving man an erection on this article. When it works as intended, Viagra causes a man who is sexually stimulated to get an erection. Take note that it works WHEN a man is sexually stimulated (aroused). Sexual libido naturally decreases with age due to loss of testosterone in men and estrogen in women. This depletion can be stabilized and even reversed safely and naturally through the compounds contained in velvet antler.
How Velvet Antler Works on Bring Sexual Libido Back
As noted in the popular book, Velvet Antler: A Gift from Nature, "velvet antler has gonadotrophic functions, which means it enhances the hormone that causes the testes and ovaries to do their work. Anecdotal evidence from Asia says that velvet antler was used to treat impotence in men, infertility in women, and to prevent miscarriage in early pregnancy. Numerous research studies in North America demonstrate that velvet antler increases testosterone levels in men and estrogen levels in women. It should be clarified that these studies are not saying that velvet antler contains testosterone or estrogen, but that velvet antler contains nutrients that are necessary in the production, utilization, and absorption of testosterone and estrogen in the body."
Take note though that consistent consumption of elk antler velvet will increase one’s libido over time and just give a spike after when using a drug like ViagraTM.
How Velvet Antler and ViagraTM Can Work Together
When there is normal functioning hormones in the body the sexual organs work like planned and the magic can happen.
That sounds simple enough, but in many cases, it doesn't happen as it should, making having intercourse impossible. Although the man is stimulated, the penis doesn't become erect.
This is how velvet antler and ViagraTM can work together. Velvet antler increases libido. But understand that sometimes even if a man is aroused, his penis has a hard time becoming erect. That is how ViagraTM can help.
With a plethora of sexual enhancers on the market today, many of which carry a long list of side effects, why not first try nature’s solution to sexual dysfunction? There’s a reason why elk antler velvet is highly regarded for treating hormonal and sexual problems and has been used to for over 2,000 years -- that’s because it works.
Prostaglandins are your body’s natural regulators of inflammation. Glycosaminoglycans will also help to lubricate and rebuild joints. It also has naturally occurring growth factors and co-factors that are incorporated in the body during the healing process to aid in restoration.
]]>This is also the basis why velvet antler is recommended as a supplement to be taken after surgery. But in modern medicine, we have based it on the velvet antler’s components that would help recovery.
How does Velvet Antler Aid in Recovery After Surgery?
Velvet antler has these hormones: IGF-1, glycosaminoglycans and prostaglandins.
Prostaglandins are your body’s natural regulators of inflammation. Glycosaminoglycans will also help to lubricate and rebuild joints. It also has naturally occurring growth factors and co-factors that are incorporated in the body during the healing process to aid in restoration. IGF-1 aids in restoration. IGF-1 affects how the body repairs itself. First, the hormone aids in building up a matrix or base—essentially a building block of protein—that's needed for cells to grow. Then, the substance increases the number of new cells that accumulate on that base, which get busy healing the injury.
Studies that Support this Claim
Leon Popovitz, an orthopedic surgeon at New York Bone & Joint Specialists, told National Geographic that a recent study found IGF-1 supplements could be linked to improving cartilage damage in joints due to repetitive trauma.
Wound healing.
Studies demonstrate that IGF-1 augments the repair of injured nerve and muscle.
Increasing muscles, strength, athletic performance and recovery.
IGF-1 has been shown to increase the transport of amino acids into muscle cells throughout the body, thus regenerating these tissues after exercise.
Researchers also examined its influence on the repair of damaged muscle tissue. “In this study, athletes who took dietary New Zealand deer antler velvet for two weeks showed significantly reduced elevation of creatine kinase levels in their bloodstream and recovered from muscle soreness 24 hours earlier than subjects on placebo,”.
Creatine kinase, a substance found in the bloodstream, was used as an indicator of muscle-tissue damage in the study.
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Due to its anabolic or growth stimulating properties and its ability to help heal wounds or repair muscles, deer antler velvet is a popular supplement among athletes. Vijay Singh has admitted to using a spray supplement. University of Alabama football players also allegedly used deer antler sprays leading up to the BCS National Title Game.
Soviet scientists in the 1980s tested the effects of deer antler velvet on the performance of elite Russian athletes, and the results were astonishing. Deer antler velvet helped increase the strength and muscle mass of Russian athletes, and speed their recovery time from exercise.
One reason deer antler spray has attracted the attention of professional athletes is because IGF-1 can't be detected in a urine test, according to CNBC.com. Only a blood test will reveal the presence of the hormone.
Deer antler velvet is made from the cartilaginous tissue of deer’s antlers before they calcify, and are referred to as velvet. The velvet is ground into powder and is sold either as pills or spray that users squirt under their tongues.
It has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine in a variety of illnesses – muscle repair, wound healing and faster recovery from injury are just a few of them.
It is purportedly rich in IGF-1. IGF-1 is a protein hormone similar in molecular structure to insulin. IGF-1 plays an important role in childhood growth and continues to have anabolic effects in adults.
IGF-1 is produced by the liver upon stimulation by HGH (human growth hormone, see above), and stimulates and regulates cell growth and multiplication in bones, cartilage, and nerve cells, among other things. IGF-1 is the substance that is banned in Superbowl – NOT deer antler velvet.
The co-owner of Sports with Alternatives to Steroids, Mitch Ross said the deer antler velvet spray containing IGF-1 is a naturally occurring equivalent to human growth hormone and it is naturally produced in several food products.
"It's in steak and in milk; there's nothing synthetic," Ross said.
"Natural IGF-1 is not banned (in the NFL).”
Deer antler velvet is regarded as a supplement which means it is not currently regulated by the Food and Drug Agency (FDA).
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Velvet was recently thrust into the spotlight after Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis allegedly used deer antler velvet spray to help him recover quickly from a torn tricep ligament. Deer antler velvet is rich with IGF-1, which is deemed as a performance-enhancing drug and is banned from Major League Baseball and the World Anti-Doping Agency.
What is IGF-1?
After the controversy, there was much curiosity over what IGF-1 is and what it does to the body.
IGF-1 is a primary mediator of the effects of growth hormone (GH). Growth hormone is made in the anterior pituitary gland, is released into the blood stream, and then stimulates the liver to produce IGF-1. IGF-1 automatically begins being produced at birth. This is one of the major factors in height and muscle growth throughout childhood and puberty.
Dr. Spyros Mezitis, an endocrinologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, explained that IGF-1 is an insulin-like growth factor, a hormone that naturally occurs in the body and circulates in the blood. A person's endocrine system contains a pituitary gland that produces a chemical called growth hormone that helps children grow into adults by making their bones stronger and helping their bodies mature. The brain's growth hormone then stimulates the liver to produce IGF-1, which then binds to receptors in muscle cells, signaling them to multiply and grow.
In normal ranges, IGF-1 in the body aids growth and boosts muscle strength, he said. The hormone also increases metabolism of carbohydrates, bringing more sugars to the cells that also help muscle growth. (source)
While IGF-1 could help athletes in theory, said Dr. Alan Rogol, a vice president of the Endocrine Society, there are no scientific studies with humans to show the expected effects actually occur. In animals, he said, if IGF-1 is injected into the body, muscles grow. If an animal is produced with genes that cause one muscle to overproduce IGF-1, that muscle grows, and if a tendon is injured, IGF-1 speeds healing. (source)
Effects of IGF-1 to the Human Body
Cartilage cell development, improve absorption of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate
Fosters cellular division and growth.
Involved in cell repair, particularly in the brain, heart and muscle
Inhibits cellular suicide (apoptosis), or cellular death.
Its variants spur the activity of other proteins involved in muscle protein synthesis and encourage the activity of muscle stem cells, also known as satellite cells.
It also plays a role in muscle regeneration, due to cell repair.
It helps to reduce body fat because it halts insulin from moving glucose through the body, resulting in the body using fat as a source of energy instead of glucose.
American Velvet and IGF-1
While there are still skeptics in modern medicine about the effectiveness of American Velvet and IGF-1, it has actually been used for over two thousand years in China as medical treatment to a variety of illnesses.
IGF-1 is a great hormone that the body produces naturally. It helps our bodies grow to their natural state as well as aids in the building and repairing of muscles. But one must be careful when using synthetic IGF-1 for bodybuilding purposes as there are harmful side effects.
American Velvet is a natural extract and source of IGF-1. It is not made in laboratories or synthetically-produced, making them safe.
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With athletes prone to stress and muscle injuries, recovery and repair are important, especially since they rely primarily on their physical skills to be able to do their jobs well. Players will always search for a fast cure or something that can help them have a better edge over others.
American Velvet, whether in spray or pill form, is technically categorized as a natural supplement. Holistic medicine involves using nature’s substances to promote healing and recovery. It promotes the use of natural resources to help repair, rebuild and strengthen many areas of the body.
American Velvet has IGF-1, a natural occurring substance in the body that promotes growth. It has great anabolic and growth stimulating properties as well as anti-inflammatory substances and energy enhancers.
Athletes benefit from improved energy, quicker recovery, less post workout soreness, less aches in joints and muscles, improved strength, and feeling fresh even after tough physical exertion. It can also increase energy.
American Velvet is an all-natural whole food, not a chemically altered supplement. It is not an IGF-1 extract product and does not alter hormone levels such as testosterone, IGF-1, or cortisol.
It can definitely give the benefits of steroids without the harmful side effects.
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Anabolic steroids, or anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), are the synthetic (made in a lab) derivatives of the naturally produced hormone testosterone. They promote the growth of muscle (anabolic effect) and the typical male characteristics of puberty (androgenic effect).
When legally prescribed, they are an option for patients who produce abnormally low levels of testosterone or who suffer from body-wasting diseases such as cancer or AIDS. When used by athletes, the goal is to speed up the body's natural muscle-building process.
When we lift weights heavier than what we're used to, we create tiny micro-tears in muscle fibers. The body's natural repair process repairs the tear and then overcompensates by adding bigger cells to build a stronger fiber — this is called muscular hypertrophy. Over time, this repeated process of teardown and re-build will result in muscle growth.
Natural testosterone is the body's main ingredient for this process, but anabolic steroids can serve as a supplement. (source)
You can read about more facts about steroids in this article.
American Velvet has an abundance of growth factors like IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1) that helps in growth during childhood. This natural hormone normally tapers off when one gets older. It is an anabolic growth factor, meaning it stimulates new cell growth and cell regeneration in the body. Not only that, IGF-1 is recognized as being responsible for significant increases in lean muscle mass, decreased body fat, and improved healing and recovery times in those people who take it regularly. Increases in muscle strength, size, and efficiency are also attributed to IGF-1. Muscles tend to recover more quickly and return stronger and healthier when levels of IGF-1 are at their highest. Cell growth, repair and stimulation occur in rapid speed that works to the advantage of athletes.
The use of deer velvet by successful Russian Olympic athletes has attracted the attention of trainers and sports doctors worldwide. Synthetic steroids are known to be potentially harmful. As such, natural and safe alternatives are essential. Deer Antler Velvet has been proven to improve muscular strength and increase endurance. New Zealand athletes, sponsored by the Game Industry Board, tested deer velvet and found it to be a safe performance enhancer without adverse side effects. Top golfers, world record rowers, a champion tri-athlete, and other outstanding athletes attribute part of their success to velvet antler extract. (source)
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) lifted a ban on deer antler spray after it was banned because of the presence of IGF-1. IGF-1 is considered to be a performance enhancer and is banned for usage in athletes. While the reason for the lift is the trivial amount of IGF-1 in velvet antler, it has been used for thousands of years for children’s growth and muscle repair. It even has been proven to work for rheumatoid arthritis (muscle and joint repair).
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Velvet antlers are made of nutrient-dense material and are known to grow at an incredible rate of speed. It can grow back year after year, making it a renewable resource perfect for harvesting elk antler velvet. For example, an elk bull may grow as much as 60 pounds of antler from the time its antlers begin to grow until the time it is harvested – we are just talking a time lapse of two to three months!
Harvested from growing antlers of the male species of moose, elks and deer, velvet antlers are the whole cartilaginous antlers in a pre-calcified stage, rather than the velvety "skin" on growing antlers. Elk velvet covers the growing bone and cartilage that develops into elk antlers. Before antlers become bone, elk antler velvet is harvested and used in traditional medicine.
Elk antler velvet primarily has three sections, each with different medicinal purposes according to traditional Chinese medicine. The wax piece is located in the upper part and is used as a growth tonic for children. The middle part is called the blood piece, primarily used to treat arthritis and related disorders. The bottom part is used for calcium deficiency and geriatric therapies and is called as the bone piece.
Scientific studies on deer antler velvet are currently scarce but it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as treatment for infertility, joint inflammation, and hypertension. It has also been used to improve mental alertness and memory, boost immune system function, speed up wound healing and recovery, slow aging, balance iron levels and restore joint health.
The effects of elk antler velvet on health will depend on the animal from which it was taken (deer, caribou, moose or elk) and the diet of the animal. This is why, where, and how elk antler velvet is harvested play vital roles in its effectiveness.
Farmers in China, and Russia have harvested elk antler velvet for hundreds of years. In recent years, New Zealand, Australia, Europe, the United States and Canada have joined farming elks and stags and harvest as well. The main concern of people who are first exposed to the wonders of elk antler velvet is how safe harvesting is for the animals. Do not worry - the stags are not harmed or killed for the velvet antler. In some countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, deer are subject to local anesthesia and restrained during antler removal, and licensed veterinarians supervise the procedure.
In a usual harvesting, the antler is cut off near the base after it is about two-thirds of its potential full size, between 55 to 65 days of growth, before bone calcification occurs. Elk velvet antler is harvested annually between a deer’s productive life usually between 2-15 years of age.
In Asian countries, elk antler velvet is consumed as tea. They are sold as slices and these are boiled in water together with other herbs and ingredients. In Western countries, it is consumed in capsule form as a dietary supplement.
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