Football Player's Velvet Antler Good for the Mascot Too
Recent publicity about velvet antler being used by NFL football players to enhance athletic performance focuses on only on the IGF-1 factor. But there are many more advantages that are attributed to the elk’s antlers, including benefits to their animal mascots, and our pets as well.
Sheffield, MA (PRWEB) January 23, 2011
Recent publicity about velvet antler being used by NFL football players to enhance athletic performance focuses on only on the IGF-1 factor. But there are many more advantages that are attributed to the elk’s antlers, including benefits to their animal mascots, and our pets as well. Pet owners and trainers have been gleaning velvet antler benefits for their animals for many years. It is the unsung supplement of choice for aging pets, agility animals, cats and dogs having joint problems and even puppies to set them on a good immune course for life. Tests and testimonials confirm this.
Traditional uses of velvet antler are many and various, but they tend to fall into the general categories of support for body strengthening, blood cell production, immune support and cardiovascular health and function. Benefits for dogs competing in Agility trials are numerous. According to a trainer from New Zealand, “I put my oldest dog Bree onto Agility Advanced formula, she had been out of competition for three months due to injury, once on the Agility Advanced formula she improved greatly and returned to the competition ring, at one of her first events back competing, she managed to win the first ever Jumpers A (top grade) Challenge Certificate given out in New Zealand, plus came second in Jumpers A2 and 3rd in both Intermediate and Senior."
Quicker normal Recovery from muscle damage due to exercise was reported in a human study done by the University of Otago. Dogs who regularly perform agility trials have shown that when velvet antler was administered, not only did their performance increase, but the animal recovered from muscle stress and injury much faster. Scientists in China and Russia have both shown by use of standardized forced swimming tests that velvet enhances the stamina of mice. A Korean in vitro study showed that velvet extract protected against free-radicals, an immune-supportive function. Health benefits that include reversing anemia were confirmed in studies on rabbits. This has been validated by numerous veterinarians and pet owners. In that same study it was shown that velvet antler also combats fatigue, a benefit for animals and their owners alike.
Veterinarians across the world are using it in their treatment of animals. According to Dr. Doron Zur, Animals Kapiti Ltd, New Zealand, “Eighty-five percent of my clients, whose dogs and cats used a supplement containing velvet antler and green lipped mussel, found that there was a marked improvement in the agility and mobility of their pets. There was also a noticeable improvement in the condition of the animal’s coats and skin.” Dr. Amiel Shlomi, Northern Israel commented that “I decided to use it on a dog that had not responded to any other (conventional) treatment. Within a few days only the dog had started running! After that Deer Velvet became very popular among my colleague vets in my practices, and we have now prescribed several hundred bottles of velvet antler tablets. Furthermore, I am now using a human deer velvet product myself."
Not all deer velvet is alike. As with most supplements, the source can vary and in the processing is important. You need to find a product that is highly bioavailable. And it’s important to consider the humane aspect of harvesting the antler. According to one manufacturer, NZVEL “In domestic situations reputable deer velvet antler removal is carried out by veterinarians and specially trained farmers using analgesic techniques, this ensures the deer feel no pain. Velvet antler is a complete renewable, environmentally friendly product that should be made without harming the deer. Ours is harvested from New Zealand farm raised domestic wapiti and red deer. They are raised under strict conditions that ensure the safety, comfort and dignity of these beautiful creatures.” For more information: http://www. nzvelvetagility. com
References:
-Gerrard et al. 2000. The effects of deer antler velvet extract on muscle strength and endurance in healthy male athletes. Report to VARNZ. University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
-Li et al. 2004, Comparative studies on the pharmacognostics and pharmacology of Chinese wapiti and New Zealand red deer velvet antlers. In: Advances in Antler Science and Product Technology, Haines SR, - Li C., Taieri Print, Mosgiel, NZ pp 121-128
- Lechamo et al. 2004; Advances in Antler Science and Product Technology, Haines SR, Li C., Taieri Print, Mosgiel, NZ pp 121-128
-Chen et al. 2003 Anti-lipid peroxidation of the water extract from cornu cervi pantotrichum. Journal of Chinese Medicinal Materials 25(10): 733-734
-Song SK, 1970. Influence of deer horn in erythropoietin activity and radioactive iron uptake in rabbits. Journal of Catholic Medical College 18:51-60
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