Deer Antler Extract for Sports & Fitness
Why Use
Why Do Athletes Use It?*
Some athletes say that deer antler supplements naturally boost the body’s production of anabolic hormones, such as testosterone, which promote muscle growth. Some athletes claim the supplement can improve aerobic power and endurance and muscular strength.
What Do the Advocates Say?*
Some advocates say that deer antler extract contains bioactive substances that have anti-inflammatory and anti-fatigue actions in the body. Some advocates say that this supplement can dramatically increase stamina and energy, and improve joint health.
*Athletes and fitness advocates may claim benefits for this supplement based on their personal or professional experience. These are individual opinions and testimonials that may or may not be supported by controlled clinical studies or published scientific articles.
Dosage & Side Effects
How Much Is Usually Taken by Athletes?
Manufacturers recommend varying doses, based on the form of the supplement. For powder, capsule, and tablet supplements, manufacturers typically recommend 500 to 1,000 mg per day. For liquid supplements, manufacturers recommend three sprays daily.
Side Effects
At the time of this writing, there are no well-known or consistently documented side effects caused this supplement. Some health experts express concern, and some research supports, that this supplement may be contaminated with infectious particles called prions, which cause chronic wasting disease in deer and elk. Prions, which are not broken down by high heat or other forms of processing, have been implicated in causing mad cow disease in cattle, and new variant Cruetzfeldt-Jakob disease (nvCJD), a neurodegenerative disease, in humans.
Deer antler extract is purported to contain insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which is a banned substance for many professional athletic competitions.
Interactions with Supplements, Foods, & Other Compounds
At the time of writing, there were no well-known supplement or food interactions with this supplement.
Interactions with Medicines
As of the last update, we found no reported interactions between this supplement and medicines. It is possible that unknown interactions exist. If you take medication, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a new supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.
More Resources
Where to Find It
Deer antler extract is found in dietary supplements. It does not occur in a typical Western diet.
