Elk Velvet Antler for Dogs and Cats

Elk Velvet Antler for dogs and cats is an all-natural, whole food joint supplement that contains the nutrients most respected for joint health and pain reduction. Elk velvet antler is a natural, whole food source of glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, collagen, growth factors, essential fatty acids, and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, zinc and selenium. All of these important nutrients not only provide the pain relief many pet parents are looking for but also are vital for overall physical growth and maintenance of joints, tissues, synovial fluids and bones (1).

Our premium elk velvet antler is sourced from family elk farms located in neighboring Canada and can't be compared to cheaper imported products from China for reasons ranging from quality to the inhumane care of the elk. Our 100% elk velvet antler is also far superior to other products that are combined with herbs or other fillers to keep the cost lower.

About Lidocaine

Our producer DOES NOT use lidocaine which is a local anesthetic used in medicine. Instead, a humane electronic anesthesia machine is used to numb any discomfort. Other producers may use this drug, ours doesn't, and that is why purchasing your supplements from a conscientious company like ours is so important. See the FAQs page for more information.

What is Elk Velvet Antler?

Male elk grow antlers which are naturally shed each year in early spring. The next set of antler begins to grow immediately and is covered with soft, furry velvet. For use as a supplement the antler is humanely harvested while it is still growing and in the velvet stage, hence the name Elk Velvet Antler. It is NOT the outside velvet covering that is used in the product, but the inner cartilaginous matrix. "Velvet" is the name given to antlers while they are growing and still in a cartilaginous state. During this stage the antler is rich with a cornucopia of beneficial, natural nutrients for dogs and cats.

What are Some of the Nutrients Found in Elk Velvet Antler?

Active ingredients found in velvet antler that can benefit your dog or cat include a variety of minerals, trace elements, protein, fatty acids, glycosaminoglycans, growth hormones, and growth factors.

Minerals/Trace Elements

• Calcium (Ca): provides structure for bones and teeth, and is essential for nerve impulse conduction, muscle contraction and blood clotting.

• Copper (Cu): necessary for red blood cell development, bones, and nerves.

• Iron (Fe): essential for blood cells transporting oxygen throughout the body.

• Manganese (Mn): needed for development of bones and connective tissue, and for normal functioning of the nervous system.

• Magnesium (Mg): needed in metabolic reactions and storing and releasing energy in cells.

• Phosphorus(P): provides structure for bones and teeth, and is a component of nearly all metabolic reactions.

• Potassium (K): needed for nerve and muscle function.

• Selenium (Se):. powerful antioxidant.

• Sulfur (S): is a component of various amino acids and insulin.

• Zinc (Zn): part of the enzymes involved in digestion and respiration, and is necessary for normal wound healing and skin health.

Proteins/ Collagen/Lipids
Proteins (including all essential amino acids): are the structural materials in cells, and aid in growth and repair of tissues.
Collagen: a major structural component of bones, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.
Lipids (all essential fatty acids including omega 3 and 6): build cell parts and boost energy for cellular activities

Growth Factors
Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-l) and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) have an effect on growth and maintenance of bones, promoting protein and fat metabolism, stimulating cartilage growth, and thickening' and lengthening bones in children. They also have growth promoting and healing actions on the skin.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)
Hyaluronic acid: is the cement material of connective tissue and a component of synovial fluid that cushions the joint.
Chondroitin sulfate: extremely potent anti-inflammatory agent.
Glucosamine sulfate: an amino sugar that occurs naturally in the body. Its glue-like qualities help to hold tissues together. It is also a major component of synovial fluid, which lubricates and serves as a shock absorber for the joints.
Erythropoeitin: a hormone produced in the kidneys and released into the bloodstream in response to low oxygen levels, thus helping to increase oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
Prostaglandins: chemical messenger produced in ~ all tissues, causing a broad range of positive effects on many of the body's defense systems.
Phospholipids: effective structural materials in cell membranes. They help to facilitate the passage of fat in and out of cells and blood.

What Benefits Can I Expect for my Pet?

Easing the Symptoms of Arthritis and Other Inflammatory Disorders

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disorder resulting in chronic inflammation of the joints, tissue around the joints, and other organs in the body. The cause of this painful disease is unknown, though there are several theories. These include:

• The immune system not working properly.

• Genetic makeup passed down from parents.

• An unexplained immune system response to a virus, bacteria, or mycoplasma (microscopic organisms without rigid cell walls).

• The body’s response to environmental factors.

As the disease progresses, the cartilage, joints, ligaments and tendons begin to breakdown, causing further loss of joint function. Further advancement can affect one’s daily activities such as work, social functioning, and eventually even person independence.

While rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory type of disease, osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease. Actual breakdown of the cartilage that covers the ends of bones occurs. Osteoarthritis also causes bones to become brittle which, of course, increases the risk of the bones cracking or breaking.

Some common causes of osteoarthritis are:

• Joint injury

• Lack of important joint nutrients in the diet

• A defect in the protein that makes up cartilage

• Wear and tear of aging

Many of the nutrients found in velvet antler are important for arthritis sufferers. Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, collagen, essential fatty acids, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, zinc, selenium and growth factors are all vital for growth and maintenance of joints, tissues, synovial fluids and bones.

Modern research studies continue as both animals and people suffering with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis claim relief from painful and swollen joints.

Inhibiting the Aging Process

A number of changes continually occur in the body as part of the aging process. The skin, ligaments, and tendons begin to loose elasticity. Even larger arteries lose elasticity, causing increased blood pressure, decreased heart rate, and decreased blood flow through the heart. The body may also become less able to adapt to environmental changes such as cold weather. The immune system weakens with age, leaving the body less able to heal and repair itself. Some animals and people experience memory loss and decreased ability to solve problems. As one grows older, a decrease in the body’s ability to digest food properly often leads to nutritional deficiencies and diseases related to these deficiencies. Available research suggests that components, such as growth hormones and growth factors (and possibly some yet to be discovered components) available in velvet antler, may be key in slowing the aging process.

One of the growth hormones in velvet antler is IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor). A study conducted at Oxford University in England lead researchers to believe that the IGF-1 contained in velvet antler has medicinal value for both animals and people. IGF-1 was shown to promote muscular development, prevent muscular atrophy (breakdown), and slow the deteriorating effects of aging.

Help for the Immune System

The body has its won internal healing and protection mechanism called the immune system. It fights off invaders caused by disease, stress, poor nutrition, meager living habits, and drugs. Some common signs of a weakened immune system are fatigue, listlessness, continuous infections, and slow healing.

Having and maintaining a strong immune system is essential to good health. Eating sensibly, getting proper rest, and exercising are all very important factors in staying healthy. Think of the immune system as your own little internal army. Tiny soldiers are fighting off any invaders that dare to enter their territory. The stronger the soldiers are in that army, the better the chances are of stopping invaders before they can cause any damage. This is why constantly nurturing and supporting the immune system is so important in staying healthy.

Researchers in New Zealand investigated velvet antler’s effect on animal and human white blood cells because of its long history of being taken for immune system support. Studies demonstrated that aqueous extracts of velvet antler were highly potent in causing an increase in white blood cell count. This, of course, is a good thing as white blood cells are one of the immune system’s first lines of defense when invaders come attacking.

Increasing Energy and Stamina

Athletes, whether canine or human, who are in competitive programs, often seek effective nutritional supplementation. One such supplement may be velvet antler because of its excellent amino acid composition, mineral content and growth factors. Fourteen different essential and nonessential amino acids are available in velvet antler.

Velvet antler has been shown to have performance enhancing effects in both humans and animals based on the results of numerous studies. For example, research was done in Russia in which anabolic agents known to improve performance and muscular strength in athletes were analyzed. When studies using velvet antler were done, it showed that kayakers, weightlifters, bodybuilders and power lifters all increased both muscular and nerve strength.

How Does Elk Velvet Antler Compare to Other Joint Products?

It makes a far superior alternative to the majority of other joint products on the market. First and foremost the glucosamine found in joint supplements is typically manufactured in China under questionable manufacturing processes. In addition, nutrients such as chondroitin, msm, hyaluronic acid, collagen etc., have very low absorption rates in the body when taken in manufactured capsules and tablets. When these nutrients are obtained in a whole food fashion, as they are with elk velvet antler, they work synergistically together and their bioavailability is much greater

In our years of experience with elk velvet antler, we have found it to be equally effective when compared to NSAIDs in reducing discomfort with the added benefit of helping to heal and repair the joint due to its growth factors and myriad of natural ingredients.  All of this without the potential for gastrointestinal ulcerations and liver damage that are very common side effects of NSAIDs and ones we have seen consistently with our clients that have used them.

References

Ewashkiw, C., & Allen, M. Velvet antler - a gift from nature. Retrieved from http://www.elkantlers.com/velvetantler%20Gift%20of%20Nature.htm