American Velvet Health Benefits
While Elk Antler Velvet has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years, it is only in recent years that its health benefits have been discovered in Western countries. While there are few scientific studies on its effectiveness, the reviews have been very encouraging, proving the many elk antler velvet health benefits: rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, sexual function, and sporting performance enhancement.
Elk antler is the fastest growing animal tissue. The amazing growth rate of velvet antler (up to 3 cm. per day) suggests the presence of valuable nutrients that can provide various health benefits: stimulate growth, enhance circulation, control inflammation and help rebuild cartilage and bone, making it ideal for healing.
Promote healthy joint function
American Velvet has high levels of glucosamine, chondroitin and collagen. Glucosamine is converted to glycosaminoglycans by the body – it is a very important component in connective tissues. Glucosamine derivatives, mainly, glucosamine sulfate, is used for treatment of osteoarthritis while chondroitin and collagen are used for arthritis treatments. Most osteoarthritis treatments just attempt to reduce pain and maintain joint function but not really restore joint health. These substances help promote healthy joint and bone functions.
Balance hormone levels
American Velvet contains multiple substances including the male and female sex hormones estrone and estradiol. In some case, it might act like estrogen. Because of this, it has been widely prescribed in Russia for treating and alleviating problems associated with menopause.
Build muscle strength and endurance
American Velvet contains insulin-growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a hormone produced in the liver as a response to human growth hormone (HGH) stimulation. HGH plays an important role in skeletal growth and its levels often peak at adolescence after which it declines. Elk velvet antler stimulates production of these hormones that have anabolic (muscle development) effects in adults.
A study conducted by Suttie and Haines found that animals fed high levels of active antler velvet extract grew significantly faster and as much as 12 percent more than a control group. The animals also experienced increased liver weight and a higher bone calcium content. In addition, the researchers found that antler appeared to decrease calcium excretion. In another study by Takikawa, et al., researchers reported observing new bone formation following experimental whiplash injuries in rabbits.
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. (source)
Naturally boost sexual performance
Since American Velvet contains high levels of hormones, this leads to an increase of circulating free testosterone, increasing sex drive or boosting one’s libido.
Stimulate the immune system and blood flow
American Velvet has shown to have positive effects on cardiovascular health. A key element of elk velvet antler is chondroitin sulfate A. This substance has been proven to reduce the risk of fatal heart attacks and stroke by more than 400%.
American Velvet has more health benefits than the ones listed above. We have listed ones that have scientific basis but traditional Chinese medicine have used it for almost any ailment possible.
