Deer Antler Spray From GNC – Buyer’s Guide

If you are planning to buy deer antler spray from GNC, it is worth doing your research to ensure you are ending up with a legitimate product.

Dozens of supplement manufacturers have jumped on this craze that’s been building for two thousand years.

The use of deer antler spray as a general tonic for vitality, good skin, and sexual health has been found in Chinese tomb scrolls from 168 B.C.

Modern popularity of the supplement only stretches back a scant decade or two, when the naturally-derived growth factor was first used as a bodybuilding aid.

Now, thanks in no small part to the global marketplace of the internet, a variety of producers have introduced deer antler sprays to the market. Almost all of them tout increased muscle growth, better endurance, and quick recovery from wounds and injuries.

But not all of these products are equal in terms of their ingredients, methods of administration and effectiveness. Many products may market themselves as deer antler extract supplements only to contain near-negligible dosages of the key active ingredient. The following is a review of deer antler sprays sold by GNC.

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

Top Related Products* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

How Deer Antler Spray Is Harvested

All deer antler extracts come from the growing cartilage and bone of live deer. As the antlers of the animal grow, they naturally sprout a soft fuzz called deer antler velvet.

This fuzz contains IGF-1, a growth factor which has the tendency to make cells divide and tissue mature very rapidly. This accounts for the lightning pace that antlers sprout and solidify. Read more about the risks of taking an IGF-1 supplement here.

Deer antler velvet can be acquired from any of the 45 known species of deer, most prominently including red deer and sika deer. While the ancients gathered this material from deer living in the wild, this aminal have been farmed by humans since as early as the 16th century.

Now, vast numbers of deer are raised in countries like New Zealand in order to generate a source of deer velvet, which is widely used across Asia as a medicinal compound. In order to acquire deer antler velvet for use in health products, the tips of antlers must be clipped while the animal is alive and healthy. This material can be frozen until it reaches a manufacturer.

Are Animals Harmed during Harvest of Deer Antler Spray?

The safe treatment of animals is an important factor in the extraction of this product. Some sources, such as the famous holistic health author Dr. Andrew Weil, claim that the harvesting process is very painful for live deer. Nerve endings in the growing antlers are very sensitive to clipping.

He recommends only gathering he product from deer that have already been killed for food purposes, and otherwise the practice borders on inhumane treatment.

To this end, the harvest of deer antler velvet has been banned in the U.K. unless the antlers have already been shed naturally. Explore the deer farming practices of the leading nation for antler extracts New Zealand.

This is an important consideration when researching which brands to purchase from GNC, Amazon and other supplement retailers.

Do GNC Products Meet Modern Safety Standards For Supplements?

All dietary supplements must be evaluated for safety by the Food and Drug Administration. Deer antler spray from GNC does bear labeling which suggests it is prepared in an FDA-inspected facility.

However, another warning on the label indicates that product efficacy and safety has not been tested by the FDA.

Deer antler spray itself is approved by the FDA for use in the treatment of arthritis. This is no doubt due to its ability to repair tissue and support bone health.

However, the FDA has not evaluated any claims about deer antler spray’s role in bodybuilding and fitness. GNC is still marketing their product to fitness fans, with “six-pack abs” featured prominently on the label.

Deer Antler Spray from GNC User Reviews

Our best indication of the efficacy of deer antler spray from GNC would be user reviews. In general GNC products are regarded well by the bodybuilding community.

However, the reviews on GNC’s website run the gamut from claims of fraud to glowing five star reviews. Additionally, no outside independent analysis of their product is available online.

While prices can be cheap, product quality is often not comparable to specialty manufacturers who have a more direct and personal relationship with the products they sell. Read quality reviews of other commercial deer antler sprays here.

Where Does GNC’s Deer Antler Extract Come From?

The biggest mystery surrounding deer antler spray from GNC is where the active ingredients come from. Product labeling does not indicate the country of origin, which can be a huge indicator of product quality.

Deer which hail from New Zealand are generally regarded as a source of the highest quality deer antler velvet. However, lower quality product, with potentially suspect harvesting quality and techniques, are known to come from at least 13 other countries.

Ethical treatment and healthy living conditions for livestock in countries like Russia and Taiwan may not be acceptable. However, if GNC is able to secure cheaper pricing from these countries, it is entirely possible that they source their deer antler there. Without proper labeling, we’ll never know.

Where to Buy Natural Deer Antler Spray

Deer antler spray from GNC is viewed as being reasonably well priced, though there are some questions regarding the quality of ingredients and efficacy. This does not mean consumers should skip exploring deer antler products altogether.

Smaller, non-corporate producers of the supplement general offer more relevant information about the contents of their products, with better knowledge and guarantees of results.

Some brands, such as BioAntler, pair the extract with complementary herbal ingredients to maximize muscle and bone health goals. Compare GNC products against these labels before you buy. For a complete buyer’s guide to deer antler spray, click here.

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