Deer velvet is the name given to the medicinal substance found in the cartilages of the deer antlers. It is not a common knowledge that deer antlers are capable of complete regeneration year after year. These new growing cartilages covered in velvety fur contain nutrient-rich blood which offers the human body an impressive list of health benefits. These health benefits however are not new to medicine as it has long been used as alternative treatment and health tonic for over 2000 years. Oriental physicians, especially the Chinese even regarded deer velvet as an essential health, energy, and sexual tonic. The famous Li Shi Zhen enumerated many deer velvet functions like increasing vital forces and creating harmony between energies present in the body.

According to scientific studies, deer velvet contains different complex ingredients responsible for its health benefits. Essential amino acids, collagen, lipids, calcium, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sulphur, zinc, male and female hormones, luteinizing hormone, and growth hormones can be found in deer velvet. In addition, the cartilage component of the deer antlers is rich in glucosamine, chondrocytes, chondroblasts, chondroitin sulfate A, prostaglandins, and glycosaminoglycans. Medicinal forms of deer velvet are extracts, capsules, powders, tablets and teas.

Deer Velvet Benefits

• Deer velvet increases muscle strength, endurance, and creates leaner body mass. Deer velvet supplements are proven to benefit athletes and body builders.
• Deer velvet is a natural source of growth hormones, specifically the IGF-1 and IGF-2 factors.
• Along with enhancing the stamina, Deer velvet also improves sexual function and guarantees better sexual performance.
• The glycosaminoglycans in Deer velvet are very essential for joint care and mobility. It may help improve the signs and symptoms of the different types of arthritis.
• Deer velvet promotes faster muscular recovery after strenuous activities and injuries.
• The hormonal action of deer velvet is useful in maintaining men and women’s health.
• For the elderly, Deer velvet provides more vitality.
• Deer Velvet has anti-aging properties and will help you feel and look younger.
• Deer velvet significantly improves immune system functioning and greater resistance against common infections.
• Regular use of Deer velvet supplements is an alternative to body building and weight training.
• Some studies suggest that Deer velvet promotes faster wound healing to chronic wounds. It acts by promoting growth of blood vessels.

Deer Velvet Side Effects

Until now, the side effects of Deer velvet supplements are still unknown.

The effects of deer velvet to pregnancy and lactation are not yet established. Thus pregnant and breastfeeding women are not recommended to take deer velvet supplements. Also, the hormone-like characteristics of deer velvet may be harmful to hormone-sensitive conditions. Patients with endometriosis, uterine fibroids, breast cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer are not advised to use deer velvet products.