WHAT IS DEER VELVET?
Deer velvet is the whole cartilaginous antler in a pre-calcified growth stage. It gets the name ‘velvet’ from its soft, velvet-like covering of hair. Deer velvet is also sometimes called 'pilose' (aka 'covered with long soft hairs') antler.
Unlike horns, which are keratinized tissue (essentially hard bone), antlers are living organs. Deer velvet is one of the fastest known types of tissue growth in mammals and the only known mammalian tissue that completely regrows every year.
Every spring a soft cartilaginous core that resembles bone marrow rapidly develops from each of the pedicles on the stag’s skull. When the antlers are growing, they are full of nerves and blood vessels and are covered with a hairy skin covering tissue commonly called “velvet.” During the early summer, deer antlers are soft to the touch or spongy.
During the growth phase, deer velvet is full of biologically active beneficial substances. Then cartilage is gradually replaced by bone by a process of calcification.
By late summer, when testosterone levels are at their peak, the growth is complete, the antler calcifies completely and becomes ‘hard antler’. The blood vessels at the junction between the pedicle and the antler close off, and the skin, nerves and connective tissue dry, shrivel and flake off. Eventually the pedicle-antler junction weakens and the antlers are cast off naturally.
Deer velvet growth stages (active pedicle cross-section)
DO YOU KNOW?
- Hard antler and highly-calcified antler are not considered as deer velvet because they are not bio-active and do not deliver the efficacy of deer velvet. And therefore they are substantially lower in price.
- The more calcified an antler is the higher is the ‘ash’ content shown in a lab test. The authorities in Jilin Province, China and Hong Kong have strict standards on the maximum % of ash content in deer velvet - ≤45% and ≤37% respectively.
- Calcification of deer velvet starts from the base of the antler. Therefore the prices of the lower sections of deer velvet is substantially lower. Dishonest manufacturers use only the low-price middle and base sections of the antler to make capsules. This is why companies don't disclose their 'ash content' test reports to consumers.
- NutritiveZ™ deer velvet supplements are made with top quality Altrive® deer farm deer velvet antler which has an ash content ≤32% & naturally >57% Amino acids! We show you the actual test report from an independent ISO17025 lab.(See report).
A COMMON ROOT CAUSE OF A WIDE RANGE OF HEALTH ISSUES
Everyone ages. Our brain neurons start to decrease at the age of 24. Our body is constantly performing complex biochemical reactions. Some of these processes are damaging to our body.- Hormones – Changes to hormones as we age alter body functions and organs.
- Free radicals – Our cells can be damaged by these unstable oxygen molecules.
- Protein cross-linking – Tissues harden as a result of fused protein molecules.
- Heat shock proteins – As we age these proteins decline and our cells are not as well protected from stress
- Our immune system declines.
- Body fat increases.
- Cognitive function reduces.
- Muscle tone declines.
- Bones lose density.
- Hearing and sight decline.
Consumption of alcohol & tobacco, lack of sleep & physical exercise and poor diet also speed up the aging process.
Our body systems and organs change as we age.- Our heart muscle thickens.
- Arteries stiffen.
- Lung capacity reduces.
- Our kidney and bladder become less efficient.
- DNA repair – The systems involved in DNA repair are not as effective as we age.
All these factors combine to reduce our physical abilities and make us more susceptible to diseases.
Deer velvet is a powerful natural dietary supplement that addresses the root cause of a
wide variety of health issues.
NZ DEER VELVET'S COMPOSITION
Deer velvet is a natural superfood containing the most concentrated source of highly diversified nutritional substances found among all plants and animals on earth.
The chemical composition of New Zealand red deer velvet is extremely complex, containing :- >30 types of amino acid (high in essential amino acids).
- 20 growth factors (including IGF-I , IGF-II), signaling molecules and their receptors.
- 20 glcosylaminoglycans.
- 4 types of collagen.
- lipids.
- vitamins.
- minerals and trace elements.
DO YOU KNOW?
- The amount of amino acids is a crucial indicator of the quality and efficacy of deer velvet. High amino acids level means the velvet is highly bio-active and high in efficacy.
- NutritiveZ™ warrants the velvet in our products contains at least 57% of amino acids, including 17% essential amino acids that are critical to our health but cannot be produced by the human body.
AMINO ACIDS
Amino acids are the basic building blocks of the body. Amino acids are necessary to build structural proteins such as collagen, enzymes, clotting mechanisms, antibodies, transport molecules, muscles and hormones.
They regulate almost all of the metabolic processes in the human body, essential for a healthy body. The right amino acid mix like a repair treatment from within.
In 2005, the Society for Applied Amino Acid Research in Treatment and Practice announced that research over recent years has shown that amino acids are useful against diabetes, osteoporosis, heart trouble, metabolic disorders, erectile dysfunction, anti-aging and also menopausal complaints, to name but a few.
Amino acid supplements are frequently administered for the prevention and treatment of certain illnesses. The interrelationships and interactions of various amino acids are extremely complex. Consumers should not decide on their own to take dietary supplements containing isolated types of amino acids. You should consult a knowledgeable practitioner and get advice based on your specific body conditions/concerns.
Deer velvet is a rich resource of over 30 types of amino acids, including 9 types of essential amino acids that are critical to our health but cannot be produced by the human body. It is the combination of contents in deer velvet as a whole (i.e. amino acids and other substances) that contributes significantly to its efficacy. Consuming deer velvet as provided by nature is safe and superior to using isolated elements, whether synthetic or natural.
The main amino acids in deer velvet and their respective areas of efficacy :| AMINO ACIDS | orthopaedics & traumatology | muscle (growth, strength & repair) |
immune system | anti-aging | male & female reproductive systems | chronic fatigue & stress |
| alanine | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| arginine | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| aspartic | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| cysteine | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| glycine | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| glutamine | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| histidine# | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| hydroxyproline | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| isoleucine# | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| leucine# | ✔ | |||||
| lysine# | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| methionine# | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| ornithine | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| phenylalanine# | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| proline | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| serine | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| threonine# | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| tryptophan# | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| valine# | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
GROWTH FACTORS
Bio-active deer velvet antler contains a wide variety of over 20 growth factors, including Insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I, IGF-2), transforming growth factors (TGFα, TGFβ), bone morphogenic proteins (BMP-2, BMP-4 and BMP-14).
Growth factors are naturally occurring peptide-hormone-like substances capable of stimulating cellular growth, proliferation, healing and cellular differentiation. They typically act as signaling molecules between cells.
IGF-1 is responsible for cellular differentiation, transformation, and apoptosis suppression, It helps transfer glucose through the cell membranes to supply the raw materials that cells need for growth and repair. It moves cells from the resting phase to the active phase of its cycle and it increases the cell’s ability to complete DNA synthesis.
IGF-1 plays an important role in the increase of the number and size of cells, cell regeneration and repair. It is vital to the maintenance of the brain, heart, muscles, cartilage, bone, nerves, skin as well as the hormonal, immune and nervous systems.
As we age, cell reproduction slows down. Unless they are prompted by the growth factors, they will go into a resting phase.
Insulin-like growth factor IGF, 3D Model
COLLAGEN
Collagen is a major constituent of deer velvet. 4 types of collagen (I, II, III and X) have been identified in velvet.
They are related to different parts of the human body.- Collagen I skin, tendons, internal organs, bones
- Collagen II cartilage
- Collagen III skin, tendons, internal organs, bones
- Collagen X presumptive mineralization zones of hyaline cartilage
Collagen is the main component of the body’s connective tissue. It is a group of naturally-occurring proteins, existing primarily in the flesh and connective tissue of all vertebrates These network-forming collagens act as the support & anchorage for cells and tissues and serve as molecular filters.
It is believed that consumption of the collagen in velvet supports orthopaedic health and provides tolerance to cartilage-derived antigens & relief of arthritis symptoms.
GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS
Glycosaminoglycans are long chains of sugar molecules such as glucosamine. GAGs form an important component of connective tissues.
Types of glucosamine include :- glucosamine sulphate - builds, maintains and repairs joint structures including bone, cartilage, ligaments, joint fluids and tendons.
- chondroitin sulphate - helps protect and rebuild degenerating cartilage, gives cartilage elasticity, an anti-inflammatory agent.
- Hyaluronic acid - a substance that binds cartilage cells together and lubricates joints.
Deficiency of glycosaminoglycans can cause arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatic diseases, urinary tract & bladder inflammation, gastrointestinal issues, as well as anxiety and neurological disorders.
MINERALS
CALCIUM - helps build and maintain a strong skeletal structure; necessary to regulate heart rhythms, aid in muscle function, regulate blood pressure &alt; blood clotting; assists nerve signaling functions and nerve impulses.
PHOSPHORUS – supports the functioning of skeletal structure and vital organs (brain, heart, kidneys and liver); helps balancing hormones naturally; helps metabolism running smoothly and boosts energy levels; helps move and contract muscles effectively.
POTASSIUM - essential for electrolyte balance; essential to formation of muscle tissue; assists muscle and nerve function ; supports kidney to eliminate poisons and waste.
SODIUM - allows the body to maintain normal fluid balance and electrolytes; assists in muscle & nerve action; eliminates body waste; helps maintain health of lymph system.
MAGNESIUM - helps cells restore and release energy for regular muscle and nerve function; assists in holding calcium in our bones and teeth; necessary for muscle action and nervous system; helps convert blood sugar to energy.
TRACE MINERALS – Iron, Zinc, Copper, Sulphur, Manganese, Selenium, Cobalt.
DO YOU KNOW?
- Deer velvet as provided by nature is a safe and potent supplement only if the integrity of the bio-active nutrients is not hampered during processing.
- Almost all deer velvet in the market are treated by using traditional methods - i.e. boiling, deep frying & baking. The high temperature substantially affects the molecular structure of active nutrients, leading to nutrient loss.
- Calcification of deer velvet is highest at the base & bottom part of the velvet antler. Therefore the prices of the lower sections of deer velvet are substantially lower. Dishonest manufacturers use only the low-price middle and base sections of the antler to make capsules. This is why those companies do not disclose their 'ash content' nor the 'amino acid' test reports to consumers.
- NutritiveZ™ uses modern 100% heat-free technologies to preserve the integrity of the bio-active nutrients in order to deliver highly potent products.(Read more).
