What Does Deer Antler Spray Do For Muscle Strength and Gains?

Deer antler spray promises powerful gains in the gym, from a very unlikely source.

Extracted from the still growing antlers of both wild and farmed deer, antler sprays are purported to act in ways that mimic anabolic steroids in the blood.

By promoting cell growth and conversion into lean muscle, the key ingredient in deer antler products, IGF-1, is becoming a fixture on bodybuilding websites.

In a very short time, this staple from ancient Chinese medicine has become a hotly debated must-have for athletes. Here are the facts, including important legality and side effects info.

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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What Is Deer Antler Velvet?

Deer antler velvet is a natural, fuzz-like growth which appears over cartilage on the surface of newly forming deer horns.

This substance appears as an intermediate step before the horns calcify into their final shape.

The growth factor within this velvet is responsible for the very rapid division of cells in the antlers. In fact, it’s thought of as one of the fastest growing biological substances on Earth.

This same growth factor, IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor), is found in humans. It is what is responsible for children’s tremendous growth spurts. Its anabolic qualities stimulate muscle growth and repair in adults, and build collagen, cartilage, and bone. Read more about the difference between IGF-1 and other growth hormones in this article.

What does deer antler spray do? The question revolves around whether it’s possible to orally supplement forms of IGF-1. Commonly, it is thought that IGF-1, and its close relative, insulin, are too fragile to be ingested, and are destroyed by stomach acids during digestion.

This is why both substances are frequently injected, to avoid the stomach altogether. Taking deer antler extract as a spray may also solve the problem, delivering IGF directly to the blood stream when sprayed under the tongue.

Fitness Benefits of Deer Antler Spray

While the number of objective scientific studies regarding deer antler sprays is still low, the supplement has taken hold in bodybuilding communities. Across user message boards, fitness discussions list the following reasons to take this natural product in some form:

• Increased endurance
• Faster recovery from injuries
• Rapid conversion of lipids into lean muscle mass
• Greater fat burning
• A safer alternative to steroids

All of these benefits are obviously appealing in a weight loss/bodybuilding context. IGF-1 has been clearly demonstrated to perform all of these functions in clinical tests, such as studies done at Baylor College in Houston.

When looking specifically at deer antler velvet spray as a delivery mode for IGF-1, the New Zealand Medical Journal backs up claims of bone support and healing. They also state that not enough human trials have yet been performed to confirm muscle gains.

IGF-1 and Pro Sports

A landmark case connecting deer antler spray, IGF-1, and athletics occurred in the media frenzy surrounding the 2013 Super Bowl.

Linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, Ray Lewis, was cited as using deer antler spray to help repair torn muscle injuries.

This directly violated a previous ban by WADA, the World Anti-Doping Agency, as well as a ban by the NFL. These agencies had classified deer antler extract products alongside prohibited anabolic steroids.

After a high profile Sports Illustrated article on the matter, WADA investigated deer antler products and reversed its decision. The reason? They concluded that IGF-1 could not be delivered effectively by the product, even though it often resulted in a false positive result on anti-doping tests.

Despite these findings, it is thought that 10 – 20 percent of all major league football players currently use deer antler extracts.

Risks and Side Effects

Steroids and growth hormones are banned by pro sports leagues for 2 reasons:

1. They provide an unethical, unfair advantage over players who don’t dope.
2. They produce dangerous side effects.

The side effects attributed to illegal steroid include the development of unnatural secondary sexual characteristics (such as men developing female breasts), dramatic psychological imbalance, and the serious risk of tumors and heart conditions.

These side effects negate any value the steroids might provide, yet the pressure to perform and the desire to look good prevents many athletes – pro and amateur – from heeding the warnings. For an in-depth look at deer antler extract side effects, click here.

What does deer antler spray do to mitigate these side effects? As the product is ingested under the tongue and not injected like steroids, a far more balanced amount of growth hormone is delivered to the blood. This may be the reason we see fewer serious side effects associated with deer antler sprays.

There has been no evidence to indicate it causes abnormal growth or poses a cancer risk in men. Still, it may function just like natural growth hormone in the body, and thusly can create symptoms associated with excessive hormone levels. This is especially true for women. IGF-1 behaves similarly to estrogen, and too much can result in serious reproductive issues, such as ovarian and uterine cancers.

Incorporating Deer Antler Spray into a Workout Schedule

Deer antler spray is a promising addition to a bodybuilding supplement regimen for athletes. Proponents claim it can boost muscle growth, help rev up metabolism, burn fat, and power excellent endurance.

Studies above indicate that it promotes bone health and recovery with further research needed to confirm these results. Side effects are minimal when compared to synthetic anabolic steroids.

As recent bans on the product have been lifted by international anti-doping watchdog agencies, athletes at all levels of skill and experience might benefit from exploring its effect on vitality and muscle power.

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