elk velvet research

Frederick Obey, in the North American Elk Magazine, summarized the results of modern research on velvet antler. This research has been conducted in seven general areas:

Hormonal Effects

Velvet antler has been shown to boost testosterone levels. (This hormone promotes male characteristics.) It has also been shown to boost estrogen levels. (This hormone promotes female characteristics.) The estrogen hormone most affected by velvet antler is estradiol. Estradiol is a precursor to testosterone.

Blood Building Effects

Tests with preparations of velvet antler have shown it to increase production of both red blood cells and white blood cells. These facts are linked with velvet antler's ability to increases oxygen uptake to the brain, liver and kidneys.

Protection Against Stress

Velvet antler helps the body to maintain homeostasis against heat, cold and electric shock. This has been linked to velvet antler's ability to decrease mast cell degranulation.

Stimulation of Growth

Velvet antler is an extremely rich, fast growing tissue that contains many growth factors. Elk can grow up to 50 pounds of new bone in approximately two months. Due to its fast rate of growth, deer antler is being looked at as a model for studies on osteoporosis, arteriosclerosis, as a possible graft for healing fractures and a model for cancer studies.

Aging Retardation

Recent studies in Japan show that velvet reduced signs normally associated with senility. This is probably due to its hormonal effects.

Recovery from Traumatic Injury

Antler, as an extremely fast growing tissue, is comprised of many cell types. These include: fibroblasts, chondroblasts, chondrocytes and others. All of these are required for healthy growing bones and tissue. Velvet antler is high in calcium and Phosphates which aid in the healing of bones. Research has shown that velvet antler helps to heal neural (nerve) tissue. This mechanism can be explained by velvet antler's ability to enhance glycosis to nerve tissue. Velvet antler's relationship to recovery from traumatic injury could possibly explain its effectiveness against arthritis.

Reduction of Blood Pressure

Blood pressure reduction is due to velvet antler's ability to increase dilation of the peripheral blood vessels.

Please contact us or visit our links page for more information or articles about elk velvet.