Velvet Deer Antler
The 2000-Year-Old Medicine
By Alex Duarte, Ph.D. and John Abdo
In 1989, fitness expert John Abdo, who hosts a nationwide TV
fitness show, visited the Institute of Physical Culture in
Moscow for an intensive two week investigation of the training
programs of Russian athletes. At that time, John met with
former Soviet weight-lifting champion Victor Sheynkin and
training expert Yuri Verhoshansky. Sheynkin, who weighed only
132 pounds, could snatch over 286 pounds and clean & jerk
over 360 pounds (both overhead lifts) and had became a Soviet
Olympic coach, while Professor Verhoshansky had master minded
numerous strength and conditioning routines for Soviet
athletes since the early 1950s.
Later, in the United states, John met with Dr. Alex Duarte,
who has been a pioneer in the movement to persuade athletes to
replace the use of steroids with natural, safer products
capable of promoting strength, endurance, and improved
recuperation from injury. John told Alex that the Russian
experts had revealed that their athletes had experienced
considerable improvement in performance with a natural,
non-toxic substance called velvet deer antler.
John said that the Russians had given him two boxes of velvet
deer antler end that, when he returned home, he had given
these boxes to a friend who was 12 weeks away from a major
world power lifting championship, and who then used them to
help in breaking several world records. Further research led
both John and Alex to make this extraordinary product
available to Americans. What follows is their report on velvet
deer antler.
What Is Velvet Deer Antler?
Deer antlers grow at incredible speed and, after several
weeks, as the antlers reach their final size, the cartilage
within them gradually converts into bone. In the final
process, the antler's blood supply and nerves are lost. When
the antlers have fully hardened, the stags rub them against
trees or rocks to remove the skin that remains. As a result of
this rubbing, the deer develop sharp bony weapons for combat
against threats to their harem of females during the autumn
rut or mating season.
Each Spring the antler cycle begins anew and the skin around
the pedicle expands and grows, initiating new antler growth.
The hard antler from the previous season is cast off and the
growth of the new season's velvet crop begins. It is then that
the velvet is harvested for its medicinal and performance
qualities.
When the velvet deer antler has been removed, it is allowed
to cool on tilted racks just before being frozen. It is then
ready to be processed. If it is removed at the right time,
while still in the cartilaginous state, almost all of the
antler can be used for medicinal purposes.
Benefits Of Velvet Deer Antler
Reports from the Orient, Russia, and New Zealand indicate
that velvet deer antler has been used for centuries to control
blood pressure, increase hemoglobin levels, increase lung
efficiency, improve recuperation from exertion, improve muscle
tone and glandular functions, sharpen mental alertness,
relieve the inflammation of arthritis, and heal stomach
ulcers.
Chinese herbal doctors use deer antler as a balancing agent
for the endocrine system and in the treatment of penile
erection dysfunction in men. Oriental physicians claim it is
especially beneficial for men suffering from enlarged prostate
glands and watery semen. Oddly enough, velvet deer antler has
also been used in the treatment of menstrual disorders. It
contains both male and female hormones In addition to
cartilage components, enzymes, minerals, vitamins,
anti-inflammatory prostaglandins and, in particular, IGF-1
(insulin- like growth factor)
History Of Medicinal Use
The first documented evidence of the use of velvet deer
antler as a medicine was found on a silk scroll recovered from
a Han tomb in the Human Province in China. The scroll is
believed to be about 2,000 years old and recommends medical
treatments and prescriptions for 52 different diseases using
deer antler.
Velvet deer antler product called Pantocrine is manufactured
by a Russian state pharmaceutical company to assist in the
treatment of many different medical conditions (in hospitals)
in which post-operative recovery of patients is a key factor.
Velvet deer antler has become an elite medicinal food in Asia,
New Zealand, and Korea - the world's largest consumer of the
product.
Oriental Medicine
The most important animal in oriental medicine is the deer
because it is the animal with the most Yang energy. Dr. Peter
Yoon of Seoul, Korea claims that velvet deer antler is
especially important in increasing the quality and quantity of
blood production in the treatment of kidney disorders, anemia,
high blood pressure, and even the elevation of low blood
pressure.
Dr. Yoon and other doctors use velvet deer antler to treat
impotence in men. Dr. Lee Sangin of Kyung Hee University in
South Korea uses velvet deer antler to treat infertility in
women and for liver problems and high cholesterol in both
sexes. The medicinal use of velvet deer antler has been going
on for 2,000 years, but it is only recently that scientific
evidence has been developed to document its health
benefits.
Growth Hormone Factors
In scientific studies analyzing the medical properties of
velvet doer 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.
Accelerated Wound Healing
Scientists can only speculate about Dr. Fennessey's findings,
which may explain (to some degree) the anabolic properties of
velvet deer antler. If there are high concentrations of
hormone like substances in blood, tissues, and bone,
accelerated tissue repair after trauma such as intense
exercise can be induced by velvet deer antler. But the most
important consideration is the cartilaginous concentration of
the antler itself. Researchers such as Dr. John F. Prudden
discovered (more than 35 years ago) that cartilage contains an
element called N-Acetyl-Glucosamine, which has been
demonstrated to accelerate wound healing
significantly.2~5
Cartilage also contains glycosaminoglycans, the up-regulators
of cartilage production and turnover.6-7 It is also a very
powerful regulator. of synoviocytes, which regulate the
integrity of the joint fluid.8-9 Perhaps this is the primary
reason that arthritics are helped so much by shark cartilage
and velvet deer antler.
In 1974, two Russian doctors found that Pantocrine (the
Soviet version of velvet deer antler) improved the performance
of average, healthy sportsmen (athletes). Unadministered
athletes on the exercise cycle performed 15 kg/m of dynamic
work, whereas those given Pantocrine increased dramatically to
74 kg/m of dynamic work. This is truly a remarkable increase
in performance. Another Russian scientist, Dr. Taney, showed
in 1964 that the mental capacity of young men (as indicated by
a mathematical test) improved significantly following the
administration of velvet deer antler.10
Another ingredient found in velvet deer antler cartilage is
Chondroitin Sulfate A, an extremely powerful anti-inflammatory
agent shown by Dr. Lester Morrison (over 10 years ago) to
reverse atherosclerosis and dramatically improve circulation.
Dr. Morrison conducted a six year study demonstrating that
Chondroitin Sulfate A reduces the incidence of fatal heart
attacks and strokes by more than 400%!
Modulating The Immune System
One of the most important discoveries about cartilage in the
last 30 years comes from the work of Dr. Arthur Johnson of the
University of Minnesota in Duluth. Dr. Johnson discovered that
cartilage contains a small molecular weight protein which has
the unique ability to modulate the immune system. This means
that, if the immune system is depressed, this particular
protein can dramatically improve it. And, if the immune system
is overactive, it can reduce its activity until it reaches the
normal range. Velvet deer antler has been shown to be capable
of modulating the immune system.
Dr. Koltun's Findings
For twelve years, Dr. Arkady Koltun, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman of
the Medical Committee for the Russian Bodybuilding Federation,
conducted research into anabolic agents that can improve
performance, strength, and musculature in Russian athletes. In
studies with Russian kayakers, weigh/lifters, bodybuilders,
and power lifters, Dr. Koltun found that velvet deer antle is
myotropic (increases muscular strength). He also found that it
has powerful neurotropic (nerve strengthening) properties and
is beneficial in treating infectious diseases, fatigue, and
hypertension.
Dr. Koltun revealed that Pantocrine has induced significant
increases in endurance in his athletes. After using Pantocrlne
in the pre-Olympic festival in Russia, two of Dr. Koltuns' top
kayakers and a world-recordholder in canoeing achieved
remarkably improved results. These sportsmen not only
stabilized their racing time one week before competition, but
dramatically increased their speed in rowing. All received
gold medals and established new world records. Dr. Koltun went
on to describe an interesting phenomenon that occurs in
athletes that are overtrained, even in young athletes. He
explained that when athletes train too hard they develop an
electrolyte imbalance in the heart muscle, in which there is a
loss of recovery and endurance. He calls this condition
"Myocardial Dystrophy"and explained that electrocardiograms
show dysphasic and extreme negative T-wave readings, which is
an image of ventricular repolarization of the cardiac
ventricles.
Improving Recovery Time
Dr. Koltun contends that sportsmen (and women) with
myocardial dystrophy have a problem with myocardial
repolarization and that this, in turn, significantly limits
their performance. But there is a good prognosis for them if
they lay off their training activity for two weeks. When
Pantocrine was given along with inosine and vitamin B-6, he
was able to decrease the time of recovery to ten days. In
other words, the athletes' recovery time was dramatically
reduced. This allowed the athletes to participate in many
competitions, with short recuperation periods in
between.
Dr. Koltun also mentioned that one of the most significant
attributes of velvet deer antler is the discovery of Dr. Ivan
Kinia, who co-authored several studies from the Siberian
institution known as Blagoveshemska in 1989. It was shown that
among the main bioactive substances in deer antler are the
anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, which are especially
effective in people who suffer from arthritis.
Testimonials For Velvet Deer Antler
In the December 1992 issue of the popular New Zealand journal
Silver Horn, there was a story about Joyce doing who had
suffered from arthritis for a number of years and who found it
difficult to knock on someone's door because of the pain it
caused. Now, Joyce can knock down your door, after taking
velvet deer antler for two years. As she puts it: "I couldn't
even close my right hand to make a fist before, but now I have
no difficulty in doing so. I'm 62 years old. I've always taken
vitamins, but once I started taking the velvet, the swelling
and pain in my hands subsided. It's a miracle!"
The same article also featured the story of Shelly Thomson,
who had been suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. During the two
years that Shelly has been taking velvet deer antler, she has
not suffered a single multiple sclerosis attack. In fact,
she's playing squash as well as rearing two young children.
According to Shelly: "It's not a cure by any means, but by
taking antler regularly, I've certainly reduced the aches and
pains and I have heaps more energy."
L. Brake, age 56, of Wichita, Kansas says that: "I believe
your antler product has helped to lower my blood pressure...!
I also enjoy sexual enhancement benefits as a side effect. I
think anyone can benefit from velvet deer antler!"
S. Wintersteen, age 27, from Gary, IL says: "I am involved in
playing and coaching many sports while trying to get in four
solid weight workouts every week . . . velvet deer antler has
increased my energy levels and workout capacity and I truly
believe it prevents my body from breaking down..."
According to E. Downey, age 35, from Anchorage, Alaska:
"Initially, I started using antler to increase my energy
levels; this it does. But I've also noticed that I am able to
maintain an erection after I ejaculate, which is something I
haven't been able to do for a long time. Antler definitely
builds endurance, you know, that staying power!"
Composition Of Velvet Deer Antler
Tests show that velvet deer antler is composed of 50% amino
acids including:
tryptophan lysine
threonine valine
leucine isoleucine
phenylalanine
histidine
arginine
proline
hydroxyroline
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aspartic acid
serine
glutamic acid
glycine
alanine
cysteine
methionine
tyrosine |
It also includes chondrocytes, chrondroblasts, glucosamine,
glycosaminogcans, chondroitin sulfate A, and anti-inflammatory
prostaglandins.
Side Effects And Contraindications
Korean doctor Peter Yoon says he has not seen any severe
toxic side effects with the product. Dr. Yoon says that if too
much velvet deer antler is taken, mild upset stomach may
occur, which disappears if use of the product is stopped.
According to Dr. Koltun, people with circulation problems,
congenital heart disease or angina (heart pain) should not
take velvet deer antler.
References
1. The Deer Farmer, Sep.1992, P.2, Article by John Falloon,
Pile Wellington, New Zealand, Trevor Walton, Editor
2. Houck JC, Vickers K. The Inhibition of Inflammation and
Acceleration of Tissue Repair by Cartilage Powder Surgery
1962;51: .
3. Prudden JF, Wolarsk R, Balassa, L. The acceleration of
healing. journal of Surgery, Gynecology and Obstetrics
1969
4. Prudden JF, Allen J. Clinical Acceleration of Healing with
a Cartilage Preparation, a Controlled Study, JAMA 1965;192:
.
5. Pnudden, JF, Mishihara, G. The acceleration of wound
healing with cartilage-1. Surgery, Gynecology and Obstetrics
1957;Sept: .
6. Ghosh P, Smith M, and Wells C Second line agenda
osteoarthritis. in Dixon, JS and Furst, DE, EDA Second Line
Agents in the Treatment of Rheumatic Disease, Marcel Dekker,
New York, p. 383, 1992
7. Roden L. Effect of hexosamines on the synthesis of
chondoitin sulfuric acid in vitro. ArkKeml1956; 10:3.
8. Karzel, K and Domenjoz, R. Effects of hexosamines
derivatives and uronic acid derivatives, glycosaminoglycan
metabolism of fibroblast cultures. Pharmacology 1971
;5:337.
9. Setnikar I, Cereda R, Pacina MA et al. Antireactive
properties of glucosamine sulfate. Arzsn Forsch 1991;41
(2):157.
10. The Deer Farmer, ibid
11. Rejholec V. Long term studies of antiosteroarthritic
drugs: an assffsment. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism
1987;1 7:35-63.
12. Morrison LM, Schjeide OA. Absorption, distribution
metabolism and excretion of acid mucopolysaccharides
administered to animals and patients in coronary disease. CC
Thomas, Springfield, p.109.
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