All members of the deer family grow and shed antlers every year.

Velvet antlers have been used in Asia for centuries to maintain good health and wellness.

  The traditional way Asians prepare velvet antlers is to slice, air dry and then boil in soup, teas, and stews.

  8-9 Wellness freeze-dries premium velvet antlers to retain maximum nutrients.

  8-9 Wellness is made from 100% Pure Premium Whole Elk Velvet Antler.

  8-9 Wellness takes nutrients found in traditional sliced velvet antler and makes them available in convenient capsule form.

What else do Researchers say about Velvet Antler?

Understanding What Happens in the Body Through the Study of Velvet Antler

Because of unique properties and growth of velvet antler, it is a useful model for helping scientists to understand how the body works, particularly in relation to bone growth and development.  For example, antler physiology offers an exciting model to help understand mechanisms of bone growth and development.  This insight may help in treatment of osteoporosis.

Biologic Effects of Velvet Antler

It has been demonstrated that velvet antler, or some of its specific active ingredients, have led to such things as stimulation of bone development and bone density in rats.  Immune stimulation, anti-fatigue, and increased resistance to stress has been researched using rats.  Laboratory studies, using cells in test tubes, have shown researchers that velvet antler improved cell growth and demonstrated antitumor and antiviral properties.  Another interesting example of research done on the biologic effects of velvet antler is a study looking at gene manipulation of human cartilage cells.  It is hoped that these manipulated cells can be reinserted into joints to help repair the particular lesion - the gene in this case has been developed using antler.

Therapeutic Effects in Animals and Humans

Anecdotal information suggests that velvet antler has beneficial effects not only for human beings, but also for animals such as dogs, horses, etc.  Studies have been conducted or are underway in animals investigating effectiveness of velvet antler on such issues as arthritis, muscular injuries, and poor hair coat and skin conditions.

Work has been completed in Russia, measuring therapeutic effects of pantogematogen (pan-to-gem-at-o-gen), a velvet antler extract, in persons with gastric and duodenal ulcers, musculocirculatory problems, and hypertension.  Researchers concluded that the extract had an adaptogenic effect, meaning that it activated anti-stress mechanisms.  Numerous other research studies are available.  Some of specific interest follows.

A research study from the University of Alberta shows that chondroitin sulfate accounts for almost 90% of total glycosaminoglycans in velvet antler.  Chondroitin sulfate is widely used by arthritis suffers with substantial benefits.  Interestingly enough, IGF-1 in velvet antler encourages absorption of chondroitin sulfate.  Glucosamine sulfate is also available in velvet antler and popular among arthritis sufferers.  Likewise, it is better absorbed in the presence of IGF-1.

The University of Alberta has discovered that velvet antler has a potent growth-promoting effect.  A procedure was conducted to extract glycosaminoglycan-rich antler (GAGRA) from fresh antlers.  When GAGRA was fed to growing rats, bone development was stimulated.  There was an increase in length, thickness and mineral content of the upper leg bone.

A study conducted in Korea evaluated the effects of velvet antler on blood cholesterol levels in rats.  It was discovered that cholesterol levels were significantly reduced in rats supplemented with a diet containing velvet antler.

A research study performed on rats showed that oral administration of velvet antler extract reduces blood glucose levels in diabetic rats.  The study also showed that velvet antler normalizes metabolic processes of gangliosides in the brain.  This information is very interesting, as gangliosides are important fatty substances found in the brain and other nervous system tissues.  Unfortunately, ganglioside metabolism is often altered in people with diabetes, having negative effects that can lead to several human genetic diseases.

New Clinical Research Results of Osteoarthrosis in Dogs

Clinical research results done by the researchers at University of Montreal concluded Elk Velvet Antler was effective in alleviating the condition in arthritic dogs, their performances in daily life activities and their vitality was significantly improved.  (Canadian Veterinary Journal, Volume 45, February 2004, page 133).