Someone asked: what is deer antler velvet, how does it work? I ask: does
it work at all?
An article in National Geographic News answers the question “What Is It?”
like this: “Deer antler velvet is essentially a growth hormone called
"insulin-like growth factor 1," or IGF-1.” [1] I could lean back now
quoting S. Suzuki’s study as he and his colleagues looked at inhibition of IGF-1
in rheumatoid arthritis.
S. Suzuki and colleagues published [2]: “Inhibition of the insulin-like
growth factor system is a potential therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.” The authors concluded: “These results
indicate that aberrant IGF-I and IGFBP-3 production plays a role in abnormal
osteoclastic activation and angiogenesis in RA. This work supports future
clinical exploration of anti-IGF-IR mAb in drug repositioning as a new
treatment for RA.”
So, the inhibition of IGF-1 could be a future treatment. So what about deer
antler velvet? Does it harm in rheumatoid arthritis?
WebMD lists other names [3]: Andouiller de Cerf, Antler Velvet, Bois de
Cerf, Bois de Cerf Rouge, Bois de Chevreuil, Bois de Velours, Bois de Wapiti,
Cervus elaphus, Cervus nippon, Cornu Cervi Parvum, Deer Antler, Deer Antler
Velvet, Elk Antler, Elk Antler Velvet etc. pp. And: “Deer velvet contains
multiple substances including the female sex hormones estrone and estradiol.”
M. Allen and colleagues published two studies (in 2002 and 2008) and I
will show you the results of the more recent study [4]: “A randomized clinical
trial of elk velvet antler in rheumatoid arthritis”. The authors examined the
effects of elk velvet antler on joint pain and swelling, patient/physician
global assessment of disease activity, functional ability, quality of life,
blood levels of C-reactive protein, and adverse events in 168 rheumatoid
arthritis patients experiencing residual symptoms after standard treatment. “There
were no significant differences between groups on any measures.” The authors
concluded: “Overall, elk velvet antler does not effectively manage residual
symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.”
A. Gilbey and colleagues published a meta-analysis [5]: “Health benefits
of deer and elk velvet antler supplements: a systematic review of randomised
controlled studies”. The authors found two studies concerning rheumatoid
arthritis, most probably the studies by M. Allen. They concluded: “Claims made
for velvet antler supplements do not appear to be based upon rigorous research
from human trials, although for osteoarthritis the findings may have some
promise.” May have some promise in osteoarthritis isn’t enough.
Let’s have a quick look at the risks of IGF-1 [6]: “Convincing
experimental data suggest that the GH/IGF-1 axis plays an important role in
cancer development and behaviour. Epidemiological studies have supported an
association with cancer, but not with tumour induction per se, although this is
a distinction that is important mechanistically but not clinically.”
Does Deer Antler Velvet work in rheumatoid arthritis? No! There hasn’t
been any evidence in a randomized controlled trial! Moreover IGF-1 is risky. I
wouldn’t counsel my patients to take any of the above mentioned deer antler
products.
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