{"id":381,"date":"2013-01-30T20:10:20","date_gmt":"2013-01-31T03:10:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/?p=381"},"modified":"2020-09-22T06:13:25","modified_gmt":"2020-09-22T13:13:25","slug":"does-deer-antler-velvet-work-and-build-muscle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bornfitness.com\/does-deer-antler-velvet-work-and-build-muscle\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Deer Antler Velvet Work and Build Muscle?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The notification hit my computer:<\/p>\n

Born… can you please give us clarification on deer-antler spray? Why are athletes using it?<\/i><\/p>\n

Immediately, I knew that Ray Lewis was to blame. And even worse? I was about to deflate all the media hype.<\/p>\n

The message was from Neema Yazdani. Some of you might recognize Neema\u2019s name from my most recent book, The Men\u2019s Health Big Book: Getting Abs<\/a>. Neema was a test subject that epitomized the great results you could receive with the program. As a guy that had tried just about everything during the last 12 years, Neema dropped body fat and added muscle with a simpler approach included in the book.<\/p>\n

But the desire for an edge still burns within. Neema is always looking for ways to become better. And I can\u2019t blame him. He is just like any other warm-blooded human. We want results\u2014and we want them fast.<\/p>\n

So when news of Ray Lewis using deer antler spray (also known as deer antler velvet) found it’s way onto the internet, the media started clamoring and men everywhere started salivating about the potential over-the-counter super supplement.<\/p>\n

While consumers wanted more information on the product. Let’s not forget the supplement industry is a multi-billionaire dollar business. And if Ray used the product then it must be legit, right? That\u2019s what the immediate response in\u00a0supplement sales would have you believe, as ESPN business reporter Darren Rovel reported that purchases skyrocketed within 24 hours of the report.<\/p>\n

Take away the question of him using the product (he has denied it, and the timing of the report is a little odd, given that the source claims he began taking the product months ago), and let\u2019s just focus on the bottom line: does deer antler spray actually work to build muscle and speed recovery?<\/p>\n

The answer is that deer antler velvet is just another fat burner. Another cell volumizer. Another body-toning shoe. It\u2019s fitness marketing at it\u2019s finest\u2014playing off a goal you desire (gaining more muscle and size) and drawing unsubstantiated and wildly exaggerated claims. There\u2019s nothing miraculous about deer antler spray. And after a closer look at the product, there\u2019s really\u2014well\u2014nothing to it at all.<\/p>\n

The Truth About Deer Antler Velvet<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Deer antler velvet is supposed to help you build muscle. It allegedly elevates levels of IGF-1, an important hormone that helps you pack on mass. As \u201cside effects\u201d you also should see improvements in strength and endurance. And some products even claim it speeds recovery, which is why it was linked to Ray Lewis who earlier suffered an apparent season-ending injury, and yet has played and performed at a high level in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

The truth? While research is limited, there\u2019s nothing to suggest that deer antler velvet (or deer antler spray in the supplement form) actually does what it claims. In fact, there are two published studies (in real<\/i> scientific journals, you can see them here<\/a> and here<\/a>) that suggest deer antler velvet does not<\/b> (I repeat, does not) <\/b>even elicit a hormonal response. What\u2019s more, it also did not increase <\/b>muscular strength or aerobic power.<\/p>\n

Ok, so what’s two studies? I fully expect many readers will claim studies suck. Or that some things occur \u201cin the trenches\u201d and will always be ahead of scientific research. And you know what? That\u2019s a valid argument. A lot of great information will never get published.<\/p>\n

If people see results with deer antler velvet it\u2019s probably the result of another valid argument: The placebo effect. If you believe something works, it sure can seem to have a powerful impact. Nothing is stronger than your mind. And with deer antler velvet, that\u2019s most likely what’s happening.<\/p>\n

Just in case you don\u2019t want to take my word, I decided to dig a little deeper. After all, I don\u2019t care about winning arguments. All I care about is helping you find better ways to improve your health and fitness, and make sure you don\u2019t blow your money. So before you dismiss my evidence, you\u2019ll want to read this.<\/p>\n

Deer Antler Velvet: A Big Hoax?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Most deer antler spray bottles contain about 3,000 to 5,000 nanograms of IGF-1 from antler velvet. That\u2019s not my guess\u2014it comes straight from the manufacturer. You know, those same people that are selling you on the miraculous benefits.<\/p>\n

Now, you\u2019ll probably read a lot about the power of IGF-1 in many reports about Ray Lewis. And while it\u2019s true that IGF-1 is illegal in man-made form, let\u2019s not mistake illegal products (because they are synthetic) with guaranteed amazing results. IGF-1 can have a significant impact on your body, but it\u2019s not that easy to get the levels you need from deer antler. In fact, given what\u2019s in a typical bottle, it is damn near impossible.<\/p>\n

Published research<\/a> has shown that IGF-1 can <\/i>produce similar results to growth hormone. The catch? If you do the math from the study, a 150-pound man (that\u2019s a pretty small guy, so a bigger man would need more) would have to take more than 25 million<\/em> nanograms just to experience the growth hormone-like effects of more muscle, less fat, and faster recovery.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m no math major, but take a quick look at the numbers. An entire bottle<\/i> of deer antler velvet contains only 3,000 to 5,000 nanograms of IGF-1. To receive growth hormone benefits you need to take 25 million nanograms<\/em>. PER DAY.<\/p>\n

Assuming that deer antler velvet is the next biggest thing in muscle building and athletics isn\u2019t just a massive leap of faith, it\u2019s something that can\u2019t be supported by science in any way, shape, or form<\/strong>. So why is it illegal? Because it\u2019s still a synthetic, man-made growth hormone precursor. Those are illegal, according to most professional sports.<\/p>\n

You want to see great results? The formula hasn\u2019t changed. Train hard, recover harder (sleep, nutrition, massage), eat well, smile, and enjoy life. And yes, find reputable information and sources.<\/p>\n

If you want to take supplements, don\u2019t expect any miracles. They can help, but they are still just supplementing<\/em> what you do with diet and exercise. If you want to know what supplements I take, the list is below.<\/p>\n