Growth Hormone Factors in Deer Antler Velvet
In scientific studies analyzing
the medical properties of velvet deer antler, Dr. Peter Fennessy, General
Manager of the Invermay Research Center in pncOtago, New Zealand found that
antler extracts improved cell growth and also produced anti-tumor and anti-viral
effects. During an investigation into the factors that make antlers grow, the
fInvermay group measured a natural hormone factor called "Insulin-like Growth
Factor-1" or "IGF-1" High levels of IGF-1 were found in deer blood during the
antler growth period as well as IGF-1 receptors in the antlers. Dr. Fennessey's
team also discovered that the IGF-1 and IGF-2 (a related hormone) promoted
growth in laboratory cell lines from mice.'
When we are young, we have a relatively healthy concentration of human growth
hormone. In our teenage years, most of us are slim and lean, with low body fat
and good musculature. The reason human growth hormone generates lean body mass
is its influence on IGF-1. As we age, our growth hormone levels decrease along
with IGF-1, which causes muscular atrophy. Velvet deer antler is a natural
source of growth factors, which can improve muscular development.
Deer antler velvet has also been shown to be a safe and natural treatment for
boosting the immune system, known as immunopotentiation, by increasing the
production of white blood cells (lymphocytes).
Velvet Antler, due to its Androgenic activity, which increases the production
of testosterone, was used to determine its effects on the liver and kidney.
Liver tissue damaged with chloroform was able to recover following Antler Velvet
treatment. In follow-up studies the protein formation in both the kidney and
liver was enhanced, as a result of Velvet Antler on RNS polymerase (enzyme)
activity.
Velvet extracts are found to improve cell growth due to the nutrient rich and
fast growing cartilage, which during investigation at AgResearch showed the
cartilage contained many growth factors. After preliminary studies were
completed, velvet extracts were shown not only to improve cell growth, but also
showed anti-viral plus anti-tumor components.
In a study conducted in Japan, ten patients who received velvet antler
extract noted a significant reduction in arterial blood pressure. In eight of
the patients, the systolic pressure was reduced by 20-70 points and the
diastolic was lowered by as much as 10-20 points. This study points to the
extract being 80% effective in lowering blood pressure.
As components of antler velvet, anti-inflammatory Prostaglandins assist in
reducing the swelling associated with arthritis and injury. Glucosamine sulfate,
when taken orally, has a 90% absorption rate. This combined with chondroitin
sulfate has demonstrated a slow, but gradual, reduction in the pain of
osteoarthritis (of which an estimated 50 million North Americans are afflicted).
This combination also gradually rebuilds cartilage and improves joint mobility.
Deer Antler Velvet is a natural source of these substances.
Pharmacology
Elk antler is composed of a variety of different tissues, including
cartilage, and is also rich in collagen, a crucial protein, and
glycosaminoglycans. Glycosaminoglycans help form cartilage proteoglycans, which
regulate water retention and cell differentiation. They also help proliferate
chondrocytes in cartilaginous tissue.
Velvet antler contains nearly 40 key compounds
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