Containing IGF-1, which is a growth hormone, Deer Antler Supplements help provide the body what it needs to regenerate and boost performance as well as speed up recovery, as science has proven that an increase of IGF-1 can help to improve the body’s endurance and strength.
Medical experts have long confirmed that deer antler velvet contains some incredibly beneficial natural elements that are effective to support new muscle manufacture and enhance the overall stamina, especially for athletes and bodybuilders.
This has made bodybuilding and workout supplements containing deer antler to become increasingly popular, as 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 notably risky to supplement.
Even though it is naturally produced by the pituitary gland, the substance can create many serious and unwanted side effects when injected into the body.
Deer antler velvet extract is a non-synthetic, animal-derived supplement that contains IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor), a natural protein which the body produces to spur growth and repair bone and muscle.
This has made it have far fewer side effects than HGH, but can, however, produce many of the physical benefits that people seek from an HGH supplementation.
Human Growth Hormone vs. IGF-1
Human Growth Hormone: |
IGF-1 (in the form of deer antler velvet extract): |
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IGF-1 is typically employed over a shorter period of time to produce rapid gains in muscle, with its effects being noticeable after a couple of weeks.
HGH, on the other hand, takes a longer time to build up and produce effects; up to two months or more.
The active ingredient in deer antler velvet extract, IGF-1, promotes cell division at a very rapid rate, thus, 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 rapid unnatural muscle growth.
Deer Antler Spray and Legality
Both steroids and IGF-1 are banned for use in most professional sports and in the Olympics.
They are both considered to be performance enhancing drugs and give an unfair advantage in competition to athletes who use them.
Interestedly, a ban on deer antler velvet extract was lifted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), a ruling that came on the heels of a Sports Illustrated article revealing that celebrated Baltimore Cardinals player Ray Lewis was an avid user of the product, using it to make a speedy recovery from an injury.
WADA’s subsequent inquiries under pressure from the NFL found out and concluded that deer antler spray was safe to use, and thus, approved for use by athletes.
People that Need To Supplement with IGF-1
Originally prescribed as a kidney tonic in Chinese medicine, the IGF-1 extract is now used for a variety of reasons, and pro athletes make up only a tiny segment of deer antler velvet extract users.
It is important to note that not all of deer extract benefits are related to muscle and sport.
Other benefits include:
- Lowers blood pressure
- Encourages mental development in children
- Sexual health/increased libido/impotence relief
- Cures acne
- Cleanses blood
- Lowers cholesterol
- Reduces Asthma symptoms
- Prevents muscle wasting from degenerative disease
Conclusion
In a health and fitness context, deer extract products can increase stamina, facilitate the conversion of tissue into lean muscle, and promote the burning of fats; the same functions for which the body naturally creates the substance for, even without any supplementation.
And while IGF’s value is undisputed, there is some debate over the efficacy of deer antler velvet spray as a delivery mechanism for IGF-1, and studies are limited and inconclusive.
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