Deer Antler Velvet Study for Bone Health

by Jason J. Duke - Owner/Artisan

Fresh Content: April 10, 2022 09:57

This journal entry is referenced in a main article

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Close Up of Velvet on Deer Antler

In 2015, a study was done with genetically similar human-like lab rats to determine if supplementation with deer antler velvet is good for maintaining and promoting bone health.

In general terms, the lab rats showed increases in bone activity, bone mineral content, and bone density after sixteen weeks.

How Does Deer Antler Velvet Help Build Strong Bones?

The researchers attributed bone health benefits to glandular support of the parathyroid. Specifically, with increases in alkaline phosphatase for activating osteoblasts associated with bone matrix metabolism.

Active bone matrix can thereby uptake nutrients and process supporting constituents that are helpful in bone tissue maintenance and development.

Some important constituents in deer antler velvet referenced from this study:

  • All Essential Amino Acids
  • Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus
  • Hyaluronic Acid
  • Four types (I, II, III, and X) of Collagens
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs)
  • Glycosaminoglycans
    • Chondroitin Sulfate

Enough Deer Antler Velvet and Time Helps Build Strong Bones

Both male and female lab rats were supplemented with 10% deer antler velvet in their feed for sixteen weeks.

Ten percent deer antler velvet for the average human diet  of 2500 calories is equivalent to about ~50 grams. The recommended human daily serving of deer antler velvet is ~.5-1.5%, which is ~2.5-7.5 grams comparatively.

Deer Antler Velvet Boosts an Already Optimal Diet and Supplement Program for Lab Rats

But get this, the deer antler velvet still worked well even when the lab rats were fed a diet that contained every essential vitamin and mineral necessary for lab rat optimal health.

And;

Lab Rats are Genetically Similar to Humans 

Lab rats and humans are very similar in genetics, organs, and both have vertebrates (which are spinal columns).

Therefore, deer antler velvet will work the same in humans in maintaining and promoting bone health.