What is Deer Antler Velvet? A Supplement Every Athlete Should Know

Athletes and bodybuilders are always on the lookout for the next big supplement to take their training to a higher level. Sure, deer antler velvet might sound like a smooth and creamy dessert or even a seductive fragrance, but it seems to be gaining some traction in the world of sports nutrition.

Even big NFL stars such as Ray Lewis have been using deer antler velvet as part of their sports nutrition. So why are athletes taking deer antler velvet extract?

If you’re an athlete trying to get ahead of your game, or even just a casual gym-goer looking to reach new personal goals, then deer antler velvet might be the supplement you’ve been waiting for.

In this article, we’ll take a look at everything you need to know about deer antler velvet and how it could be a welcome addition to your stack of workout supplements.

What is Deer Antler Velvet?

Deer antler velvet is used in traditional Chinese medicine to promote fertility, youthfulness, and healthy blood pressure. ‘Why deer antlers?’ I hear you ask! Well, deer antlers are one of the fastest-growing bones in the animal kingdom.

The extract gets its name because it comes from immature deer antlers that have soft, velvet-like hair. At the point in time when the extract is taken, the antlers are primarily cartilage. This contains fat, protein, minerals, and hormones.

How Is Deer Antler Velvet Extract Made?

Deer antler velvet extract can come from young deers and elks. The young animals receive an anesthetic so that it’s possible to remove the antlers painlessly. The extract is removed from the bone of the antler and then dried. Once it is dried it is ground into a fine powder and then turned into a supplement.

Deer Antler Velvet Benefits

Deer antler velvet has a wide array of benefits, both as a modern-day supplement and in traditional medicine. People believe that it can strengthen bones, boost immunity, increase libido and even treat specific ailments such as toothache.

In this section, we’ll take a closer look at some of the benefits of deer antler velvet that make it a growing ingredient in sports nutrition today.

Increased Injury Healing and Recovery

One of the most appealing qualities of deer antler velvet extract to athletes is that it can help individuals recover from injuries. Deer antler velvet extract contains Growth Factor (IGF-1) which is known for its ability to promote cell repair and wound healing.

Increasing the amount of IGF-1 in the body can help injuries heal faster as well as help you to recover from tough workouts. Remember, every time you have a tough workout in the gym you create small tears in your muscle fibers. Deer antler velvet can decrease the time it takes these tears to heal, meaning you can be back in the gym at 100% in no time.

Boosts All Round Athletic Performance

Deer antler velvet is a great all-around natural supplement to help boost your overall athletic performance. It can increase your energy levels and stamina. It can help your muscles to repair and rebuild stronger. Deer antler velvet can also help improve your cardiovascular fitness and circulation.

Helps to Build Lean Muscle

As we mentioned earlier, deer antler velvet extract can help your muscle fibers repair after each workout. When you’re training hard and lifting heavy, the muscle fibers need to be fully repaired for you to be operating at maximum strength. The quicker your muscles recover from the last grueling workout, the quicker you can push them to their limits again.

By increasing the amount of the growth hormone IGF-1 you increase the body’s ability to pack on muscle mass. IGF-1 is a growth hormone that promotes lean muscle development.

Healthier Bones and Cartilage

Some of the compounds in deer antler velvet can help to strengthen bones. This can be useful to individuals suffering from osteoporosis as well as anyone taking part in high-impact sports.

Any movement that you carry out in the gym or on the track will put a strain on your cartilage. If you don’t take the necessary steps to maintain healthy cartilage your joints will suffer and you’ll struggle with certain movements. Deer antler velvet can reduce cartilage damage and help keep your cartilage healthy.

Increases Libido

While it might not directly apply to the gym, deer antler velvet extract could help you in the bedroom! Deer antler velvet is thought to help support testosterone levels as well as help improve circulation and stamina.

The supplement could help those who suffer from erectile dysfunction, although the few studies that have been conducted have been inconclusive.

Nootropic Properties of Deer Antler Velvet

Deer antler velvet can have positive effects on the brain. It is thought that the extract can improve concentration and focus. Not only will this help you stay on track in the gym, but it will carry over into other aspects of your life.

A clear brain is better suited to handling stress. It sounds obvious, but being able to deal with stress is paramount to your overall well-being. Letting stress get on top of you can harm your immune system, and your sleep and make you more prone to injury.

Anti-Aging Properties

Deer antler velvet extract is full of antioxidants and other compounds that possess anti-inflammatory properties. These can help your cells to repair themselves and stave off the effects of aging.

When you put all of these deer antler velvet benefits together you can begin to see why it should be the next addition to your sports nutrition supplements.

Take Deer Antler Velvet as Part of Your Sports Nutrition Regimen

Deer antler velvet can benefit you in several ways that will help you boost your athleticism. If you’re looking for a supplement that can increase your recovery, help keep injuries at bay and help you build more lean and explosive muscle, then deer antler velvet is worth adding to your supplement stack.

If you found this article useful then be sure to check out the rest of our blog.