Deer Antler Velvet Extract – The Best Natural IGF-1 Supplement

Deer antler velvet extract may be a viable alternative to supplementation of Human growth hormone (HGH).

HGH is often sought out by bodybuilders for improved gains in muscle mass and strength, but it is famously risky to supplement.

While naturally produced by the pituitary gland, the substance can create many serious and unwanted side effects when injected or consumed.

Deer antler velvet extract contains IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor), a natural protein which the body produces to spur growth and repair bone and muscle. This non-synthetic, animal-derived supplement has far fewer side effects than HGH.

It can however, produce many of the physical benefits that people seek from an HGH supplement. Here are the pros and cons of using deer antler extracts vs. HGH.

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 Velvet Extract

Human growth hormone has been a popular supplement since long before deer antler velvet extract became a well-known way to boost performance in the gym.

However, there has always been a strong debate about its efficacy and concerns about its safety.

IGF-1, the active ingredient in deer velvet, is less well-known but produces many positive effects.

Here is a side by side comparison of the two:

Human Growth Hormone vs. IGF-1

Human Growth Hormone:

• Manufactured by the pituitary gland
• Connected to growth spurts in children
• Regulates blood sugar
• Proponents claim it de-ages skin and hair
• May promote muscle growth
• Carries serious side effects like swelling, tissue pain, high cholesterol and cancer risk

IGF-1 (in the form of deer antler velvet extract):

• Is treated by the body like estrogen
• Promotes healthy growth of cartilage
• Provides joint support for arthritis
• Can ramp up metabolism
• Increases endurance
• Has anabolic qualities (converts cells into complex muscle tissue)
• Has some side effects related to hormone sensitivity, primarily in women

It is thought that high levels of HGH will actually stimulate natural production of IGF-1 in the body. This is not true in reverse. The two substances also demonstrate different efficacy cycles.

IGF-1 LR3 is typically employed over a shorter time period to produce rapid gains in muscle. Effects become noticeable after a couple of weeks. HGH takes longer to build up and produce effects, up to two months or more. Explore the benefits and risks of HGH in more depth here.

IGF-1 in Deer Antler Velvet Extract

The active ingredient in deer antler velvet extract, IGF-1, promotes cell division at a very rapid rate. In a maturing deer, this translates into hard antlers which form from soft cartilage in a matter of weeks and months. In human cells, the presence of IGF-1 creates anabolic growth of muscle tissue.

This type of growth is also the main reason weightlifters take steroids, which are lab-created synthetic compounds designed to boost testosterone and create unnatural muscle growth. Read more about muscle gains that result from IGF-1 at this link.

Professional Athletes and Deer Antler Velvet Extract

Both steroids and IGF-1 are banned for use in most professional sports and the Olympics. They are both considered to be performance enhancing drugs, and give athletes who use them an unfair advantage in competition. Curiously, a ban on deer antler velvet extract was lifted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

This ruling came on the heels of a Sports Illustrated article revealing that famed Baltimore Cardinals player Ray Lewis was an avid user of the product. WADA’s subsequent investigations under pressure from the NFL concluded that deer antler spray was safe and approved for use by athletes.

The reason cited was that the product didn’t deliver high enough levels of IGF-1 to create an unfair advantage.

Who Else Needs To Supplement IGF-1?

Pro athletes make up only a tiny segment of deer antler velvet extract users. Originally prescribed as a kidney tonic in Chinese medicine, the extract is now used for a variety of reasons, not all of which are related to muscle and sport:

• Sexual health/increased libido/impotence relief
• Cures acne
• Lowers cholesterol
• Lowers blood pressure
• Reduces Asthma symptoms
• Prevents muscle wasting from degenerative disease
• Cleanses blood
• Encourages mental development in children

While IGF’s value is undisputed, there is some debate over the efficacy of deer antler velvet extract as a delivery mechanism for IGF-1. Studies are limited, and at best, inconclusive.

For example, an article in the New Zealand Medical Journal confirmed deer antler extract’s role in bone integrity, but withheld support for muscle claims pending further experimentation. For a complete buyer’s guide to IGF products click here.

Deer Antler Velvet Extract Review

It is unclear if HGH can provide these benefits in the gym. It is necessary to get a doctor’s prescription to try it. These prescriptions are usually given after a diagnosis of low testosterone. No such prescription is required to legally buy deer antler sprays online.

When compared directly with Human Growth Hormone supplements, deer antler velvet extract appears to produce similar positive results with dramatically fewer side effects risks.

In a health and fitness context (wherein both products are predominantly marketed), deer extract products can increase stamina, facilitate the conversion of tissue into lean muscle, and burn fats. These are all the same functions that the body naturally creates the substance for even without any supplementation. Read through a complete list of deer antler spray benefits here.

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