Deer Antler Extract Reviews and Research Summary

Finding objective deer antler extract reviews can be a challenge.

With relatively few scientific studies with published results online, most people who are curious about using deer antler sprays have to rely on word of mouth from other users.

Fitness bulletin boards like the ones found at Bodybuilding.com have countless posts on the topic, as well as heated debates about the pros and cons of the supplement.

We’ve summarized the general findings of one esteemed scientific institution – the NYU Langone School of Medicine – to help illuminate the facts. Do reviews of antler velvet extract support regular use of the supplement? Read on to find out.

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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Deer Antler Extract Reviews – Efficacy

The bulk of deer antler extract’s benefits are usually credited to IGF-1, the growth factor hormone which is found both in developing deer antlers and human tissue.

In both places, IGF-1 prompts rapid-fire cell division, resulting in the swift transformation of tissue into muscle and cartilage into bone. These qualities make IGF-1 supplements a natural fit for the bodybuilding community.

Here are the main benefits for muscle building and overall fitness which are most often mentioned in deer antler extract reviews:

• Builds muscle tone
• Improves stamina and endurance
• Assists in fat burning
• Helps create a “ripped” physique
• Speeds recovery from workouts
• Heals torn muscle faster
• Builds strong bone
• Joint support

Regarding these claims, the NYU study indicates that gains to sports performance of bodybuilding is not yet backed up by enough formal research. This does not mean that the results do not exist, simply that objective scientific tests to date are too preliminary to explain why these benefits are occurring. Newer research can be found here.

Additional Results for Users

Fitness benefits are only one facet of the deer antler extract story. Many people use the product outside of the gym for a host of reasons, including:

• Improves sexual health
• Reduces ED
• Clears acne
• Said to detoxify kidney and liver
• Adds red blood cells
• Has neuro-protective qualities
• Slows muscle wasting disorders
• Anti-aging
• Cancer protection
• Immunity
• Osteoarthritis support

These claims are only somewhat substantiated by the NYU report, with most pending the results of further studies. A double-bling placebo-assisted study of male sexual issues and deer antler spray turned up inconclusive results regarding sexual hormone levels.

The report cites similarly inconclusive research regarding the use of cartilage supplements for bone support. In all cases, NYU calls for more research review and does not outright deny the above benefits. As these benefits are widely reported by users in anecdotal reports, it’s possible that more detailed research may confirm them in the future.

Review of Deer Antler Spray Safety

The following are the most commonly cited side effects and risks mentioned in deer antler extract reviews:

• Consistent overdose can lead to estrogen-related hormone imbalances
• Women might develop fibroid tumors with excessive use
• Women might experience reproductive cancers with excessive use
• Allergic reactions are possible
• Product may be contaminated with anesthetic (xylazine) used in harvesting deer antlers from low quality sources

The NYU study and the other research it cites seems to favor the popular hypothesis that deer antler extracts do not deliver sufficient amounts of IGF-1 to create the above problems.

The report is quick to dispel the notion, for example, that male hormones might be thrown out of balance by the supplement. The conclusion is that there is not sufficient evidence to support this risk factor. For more background on what side effects you might expect read this article.

Are Deer Antler Extracts Recommended Products?

The NYU Langone review neither firmly recommends nor discredits the use of deer extract products. We see this kind of “wait and see” stance in many mainstream medical papers that mention deer antler supplements.

These include the New Zealand Medical Journal and National Geographic, both of which point out evidence of deer antler’s success with bone and joint issues like osteoarthritis, but hold back on a full recommendation for other benefits.

The good news is, none of these institutions are issuing any serious warnings about possible side effects. While the hazards of injecting IGF-1 and anabolic steroids are often discussed, no major reports have indicates real worry about similar side effects from deer antler supplements. User safety is less at issue than overall effectiveness.

The mainstream organizations which offer the most support for deer antler supplements are sports related. Both CNBC and CBS have presented deer antler extract reviews which demonstrate the use and effectiveness of the supplement for professional athletes.

While detailing ever-changing doping restrictions of major league sports organizations, these media outlets are quick to point out that large percentages of pro sports players use the supplement daily. This could be as close as the public will get to a full endorsement of deer antler sprays for the time being.

Until a larger investment is made into testing and publishing scientific papers, word of mouth and cautious experimentation are probably the average citizens best bet for a deer antler spray recommendation.

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