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Deer bast

Deer Antler Velvet is the name used for the velvet obtained from the antlers of growing deer, elk and reindeer. The antlers are removed from the animal before they have developed into solid bone tissue and the velvet is "harvested" without harming the animal in question. Deer velvet contains calcium, magnesium, zinc and a full spectrum of amino acids and anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. Most deer velvet sold in supplement form for the purpose of nutritional supplementation comes from Korea or Australia.

What are prostaglandins?

Prostaglandins are hormone-like compounds produced in body tissues that help control blood pressure, smooth muscle tissue activity, inflammation, glandular secretions, calcium movement, hormone regulation and cell growth. Prostaglandins also control the substances involved in the transmission of nerve impulses, the body's defense against infection and the regulation of cardiac metabolism.

What does it do? And is there any scientific evidence to support these effects?

Deer velvet has been used in China for more than 2000 years for the medical treatment of numerous less serious diseases and ailments. The effects of deer velvet on health depend on which animal the velvet comes from (deer, caribou, moose, reindeer) and how the animal was fed. Although very few scientific studies have been conducted with deer velvet, deer velvet is used in Chinese traditional medicine to treat infertility, joint inflammation and high blood pressure. In addition, deer velvet is used in traditional medicine to improve mental alertness and memory, enhance immune function, accelerate wound healing and recovery, slow down aging, promote the balance of iron levels, improve libido in both sexes and restore joint health. Soviet scientists in the 1980s studied the effects of deer velvet on the performance of Russian athletes and the results were astonishing. Deer velvet helped to increase strength and muscle mass and accelerated recovery after training. The increased strength helped Russian athletes set new strength records at the Olympics and beat their American challengers.

Glucosamine, chondroitin, & collagen

Deer velvet is a natural source of glucosamine, chondroitin and collagen. The body uses glucosamine to produce glycosaminoglycans, which are found in joint cartilage tissue.

What are glycosaminoglycans?

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), also known as mucopolysaccharides, are an important component of connective tissue. Chondroitin sulphate and heparin are two well-known examples of glycosaminoglycans. Scientific studies have investigated the use of glucosamine sulfate (the stable form of glucosamine with a mineral salt) in the treatment of osteoarthritis (1) and both chondroitin and collagen have shown promise in the treatment of arthritis. The presence of these compounds may explain the effects of deer velvet on joint tissue (2, 3).

IGF-1 (Somatomedin C)

Deer velvet also contains male and female hormones, which include the hormone insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) - a hormone produced in the liver in response to stimulation by growth hormones (HGH).

What are growth hormones (HGH) and how are they related to IGF-1?

HGH (growth hormone) stands for Human Growth Hormone (also known as somatotropin), which is an amino acid produced by the brain. Growth hormones play an important role in human development through their effect on skeletal growth. Growth hormone levels are high during childhood and peak during puberty. During puberty, growth hormone levels determine body and bone size. After puberty, growth hormone levels begin to decline and at the age of 61 are only 20% of what they were at the age of 21. Growth hormones are produced continuously throughout the human life cycle and regulate the body's metabolism. Growth hormones are transported to the liver where they are partially converted into IGF-1 (see below). An increase in these hormones can also lead to increased levels of circulating free testosterone. Hirsch Bast is used to stimulate libido and sex drive, among other things, and increasing the levels of these hormones could explain these effects.

What are IGF-1, somatomedin C, and NSILA?

IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1) was also known as "Nonsuppressible Insulin-Like Activity" (NSILA) in the 1970s and as "Somatomedin C" in the 1980s. IGF-1 is a protein hormone that has a similar structure to insulin. IGF-1 plays an important role in childhood growth and also has anabolic effects in adulthood. IGF-1 is produced in the liver as a result of stiumulation by growth hormones (HGH, see above) and stimulates/regulates cell growth and cell division in bones, joint cartilage and nerve cells, among other things.

Who needs it? What are the symptoms of a deficiency?

Deer velvet is not an essential nutrient and there is no defined daily requirement. Symptoms of a deficiency therefore do not exist. However, healthy adults can benefit from supplementing with deer bast for the reasons mentioned above.

How much should I take? Are there any side effects?

There are no known side effects and it is not known whether Hirsch Bast interacts with other medications or active ingredients. However, some people may have an allergic reaction to Hirsch Bast.

References

  1. Houpt J.B., McMillan R., Wein C., Paget-Dellio S.D. Effect of Glucosamine Hydrochloride in the Treatment of Pain of Osteoarthritis of the Knee. J Rheumatol 1999; 26:2423-30.
  2. Ghosh P., Smith M., and Wells C. Second Line Agenda Osteoarthritis. In Dixon, J.S. and Furst, D.E., EDA Second Line Agents in the Treatment of Rheumatic Disease, Marcel Dekker, New York, p. 383, 1992.
  3. Roden L. Effect of Hexosamines on the Synthesis of Chondoitin Sulfuric Acid in vitro. Ark Keml 1956; 10:3.