Deer Antler Drops and the Pro Athlete Controversy

Natural deer antler drops are making the case that it’s possible to use performance enhancing supplements in sports medicine without putting health at risk.

In contrast to synthetic steroids which some athletes have illegally injected in order to produce muscle gains, deer antler extracts may stimulate anabolic changes to muscle without lab-derived chemicals.

Harvested from live deer, antler sprays and drops cause the body to build more muscle, improve endurance, and burn fat. They can even provide critical musculoskeletal support for crippling diseases like MS or severe arthritis.

Professional athletes in every major league are using, and inadvertently popularizing the supplement. Though there has been controversy in the media about whether these supplements should be used, the general argument is the deer antler extracts are safe and do not cause an unfair advantage to be conferred on the user.

Here’s a look at why athletes are taking deer antler products, and what these drops can do for just a regular day at the gym.

Deer Antler Extract

Bodybuilding Supplement

Bodybuilding

Joint Health

Sexual Health

How It Works:

• Source of IGF-1 for Muscle Growth
• Supports joint health & functionality
• May aid sexual function & anti-aging

Dosage:

Varies depending on formulation

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Why Use Deer Antler Drops?

The antlers of deer and antelope are more than just ornamental. These hardened, spiky structures are as tough as bone.

Animals use their antlers to battle one another for food, territory, and dominance. Antlers also make a deer visually attractive to prospective mates.

Starting as soft cartilage, antlers protrude directly from the skull. Their extremely rapid growth into powerful physical weapons is spurred by antler velvet, the soft fur covering that coats the cartilage.

Deer velvet is highly venous, and is coursing with IGF-1, Insulin-like Growth Factor. High levels of IGF-1 lead to speedy growth in antlers which are regrown every year in deer species. This same growth factor can create similar growth conditions in the muscle tissue of the human body. You can compare the effects of IGF to HGH at this link.

IGF-1 is also naturally produced by humans. It’s a growth hormone loaded with 70 amino acids. The presence of IGF in cells causes them to divide and grow quickly. This process happens during childhood, and also when working out demands the growth of muscle tissue.

As lifting weights puts strain on and creates micro-tears in muscle fiber, IGF floods cells and rebuilds tissue, stronger than it was before. This same action can heal more serious injuries, like torn muscles, or even broken bones (to a small extent).

This is why deer antler drops made from the velvet are a natural hit in pro sports, where injuries are common and muscle building is key.

Do Deer Antler Drops Contain HGH?

Deer Antler Drops do not contain HGH, but they do contain IGF-1 which is itself a derivative of human growth hormone. While there are medical uses for IGF, it has been difficult to supplement with until recently, for two reasons:

1. IGF-1 is considered a controlled Schedule III substance by the FDA. It cannot be purchased without a prescription. Doctors usually only prescribe it for physical therapy/rehab, or to support muscle wasting disorders.
2. IGF-1 is delicate, and it breaks apart when it is exposed to stomach acids and liver processing. If you consume it as a pill, it is unlikely that much active ingredient will reach the bloodstream and muscle cells. For this reason, some athletes inject the hormone directly into the muscle they are trying to build. Simply ingesting IGF-1 in pill form will not be effective. Any products which purport to be deer antler extract supplements which come in pill form are likely ineffective.

Deer antler drops, when placed under the tongue either with a dropper or in the form of a spray, can enter the bloodstream directly without passing through the stomach. Tiny capillaries line the flesh under the tongue, making it an ideal place to administer liquid medications.

Deer Antler Drops Banned or Legal In Pro Sports?

The possibility of receiving steroid-like effects without the risks associated with steroids is obviously attractive to pro sports players. For this reason, CBS Sports estimates that as many as 10-20 percent of players in major league sports such as the NFL, NHL, NBA, and others regularly take deer antler drops. Some antler product manufacturers estimate this number is far higher, closer to 40 – 50 percent.

But is this practice legal? IGF-1 is still prohibited across all pro sports. However, the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) has approved the use of deer antler extract liquids. The theory is that not enough IGF-1 is able to make it to the bloodstream in order to constitute health risks or unfair advantage.

Pro players like Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens or Vijay Singh of the PGA seem to think otherwise. These players, along with dozens of others, have been “outed” in the media as using deer drops for muscle recovery. While WADA is the ultimate authority, current restrictions by individual leagues are still murky and changing.

Why is IGF-1 Banned?

Sports organizations do not want their players using IGF-1 for three distinct reasons. These same reasons form the basis for bans on all doping in pro sports.

• Players who use IGF-1 will gain an unfair advantage over players who don’t.
• Abuse of IGF-1 could lead to dangerous side effects, comparable to those of anabolic steroids. These might include abnormal growth, mood imbalance, and some cancers.
• Use of any growth hormone violates the principles and integrity of good sportsmanship.

While these are sound reasons to oppose doping via synthetic hormones, the pro sports community seems to consider deer antler drops natural and closer to a dietary supplement. In any case, it is effective enough to garner widespread use.

Can Deer Antler Drops help you Build Muscle?

Of course, the vast majority of men and women who are interested in deer antler drops are not professional athletes. Most people who are working on personal fitness goals are simply looking for safe, natural support for muscle and bone health. If taking a harmless organic supplement can increase lean muscle mass and speed recovery from injury, most bodybuilders will probably be interested in exploring the option.

Deer antler extract’s power to fight the degradation of the body associated with aging is clearly of value, even outside of the setting of the gym. The natural “technology” which causes deer antlers to grow so quickly can provide critical muscle support to pros and amateurs alike. To find out more about what a daily IGF-1 dosage can accomplish, click here.

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