Anyone ever tried Deer Antler Extract or IGF-1

[nickerjones]

Apparently its the new rage in Pro sports... but is naturally occurring and supposedly not bad for you.

I saw this article on yahoo:http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/slan...eadlights-look


then searched for IGF-1 at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulin...rowth_factor_1

Really interested in the diabetic help here. It says it lowers your A1C and the amount of insulin that is needed.

[troutman]

I'll do some research on it, but it smells like snake-oil on first look. The "natural" tag is often added to boost the claims of dubious supplements.

Is the evidence for effectiveness anecdotal or science-based?

[Kybosh]

You know what else is naturally occurring? Strychnine.

The term "naturally occurring" means less than zero.

[nickerjones]

Yeah I feel ya .. I was just curious about it . Doing some research it looks like the chinese have been using it for years.

I guess athletes are using it because it aids in recovery and is undetectable by urine test.

[algernon]

When your done with that, I've got some tiger #### to sell you.

[troutman]

http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/...acle-cure.html

Recently I’ve noticed a number of signs on the highway stating “Elk Antler Velvet For Sale!” and with this mini-boom in elk antler velvet awareness, comes the kind of rumor and talk about the ‘miracle’ cure aspect of elk antler velvet. It’s mostly touted as a treatment for various kinds of arthritis, but as is common with so many such treatments, it has become a panacea for all kinds of ailments from male impotency to a cure for kidney troubles in dogs.

A quick scan of Pub Med reveals a University of Alberta study on the effects of elk antler velvet on rheumatoid arthritis sufferers in 2008, which states “Although some patients reported clinical improvements in their symptoms, there were no statistically significant differences between groups. Overall, elk velvet antler does not effectively manage residual symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.” Another study from 2004 from the University of Saskatchewan showed that wound healing in diabetic rats was improved with topical treatment with elk antler velvet (a water-soluble extract of it). Still, these are preliminary studies and as with many alternative medicines, the results are spotty.

[troutman]

http://www.deervelvetinformation.org/testamonials.htm

Evidence is all from testimonials . . . not reliable

[troutman]

http://www.skepdic.com/althelth.html

This is a good tool-kit:

Many questionable products touted as cure-alls or as cures for serious illnesses such as cancer or heart disease are promoted with scientific-sounding gobbledy#### and misrepresentation or falsification of scientific studies. Jodie Bernstein, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, offers the following list of signs of quackery:

** The product is advertised as a quick and effective cure-all for a wide range of ailments.
** The promoters use words like scientific breakthrough, miraculous cure, exclusive product, secret ingredient or ancient remedy.
** The text is written in "medicalese" - impressive-sounding terminology to disguise a lack of good science.
** The promoter claims the government, the medical profession or research scientists have conspired to suppress the product.
** The advertisement includes undocumented case histories claiming amazing results.
** The product is advertised as available from only one source.

The general rule is "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."


Many people believe that what is natural is necessarily better and safer than what is artificial (such as pharmaceuticals). Just because something is natural does not mean that it is good, safe, or healthy. There are many natural substances that are dangerous and harmful. There are also many natural products that are ineffective and of little or no value to one’s health and well-being.

[nickerjones]

Originally Posted by algernon

When your done with that, I've got some tiger #### to sell you.

How much? Deer Antler spray is expensive .

[HalifaxDrunk]

I don't understand how can something called Deer Antler Extract be naturally occurring? If you have to extract it then doesn't occur naturally.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by HalifaxDrunk

I don't understand how can something called Deer Antler Extract be naturally occurring? If you have to extract it then doesn't occur naturally.

Technically, everything is "natural". We have not been able to get our hands on anything "super-natural".

I think many people use the term "natural" to mean something that is not synthesized in a lab.

[Young-Sneezy]

you'll think it will make you look like this:



but really...you're probably going to end up with some strange results....likkkkkeee this!

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by troutman

Technically, everything is "natural". We have not been able to get our hands on anything "super-natural".

I think many people use the term "natural" to mean something that is not synthesized in a lab.

This drives me nuts. Synthetically produced compounds are the exact same (chemically and biologically) as the "natural" compounds. The method to synthesize said compound has no bearing on the end product assuming perfect purification. If natural and synthetic compounds don't have the same properties, they aren't the same compounds.

[TSXCman]

I have a family friend with an elk farm of about a dozen. He raises them for their 'velvet' that they shed from their new antler growth and sells it to the chinese. They love the stuff

[Thor]

Big placebo at it again

[DrJ]

Originally Posted by nickerjones

Really interested in the diabetic help here. It says it lowers your A1C and the amount of insulin that is needed.

"Administration of IGF-I to patients with type 2 diabetes results in a 3.4-fold improvement in insulin sensitivity [23]. Whether subjects are receiving insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents, mean glucose can be improved substantially in diabetics who receive IGF-I injections." Article retreived off of uptodate.com

[Northendzone]

is "quackery" really a word?

[TheSutterDynasty]

Originally Posted by nickerjones

Apparently its the new rage in Pro sports... but is naturally occurring and supposedly not bad for you.

I saw this article on yahoo:http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/slan...eadlights-look


then searched for IGF-1 at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulin...rowth_factor_1

Really interested in the diabetic help here. It says it lowers your A1C and the amount of insulin that is needed.

You could just exercise/lose weight/eat better.

[mikey_the_redneck]

I wouldn't even try it. It sounds like quackery.

Only studies and products funded by pharmaceutical companies are safe and reliable. They have your best interest in mind.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

You know what else is naturally occurring? Strychnine.

The term "naturally occurring" means less than zero.

My wife has a lunatic, err Homeopath, that she goes to for a couple things on occasion. Once I went and asked her to explain what was in this stuff she wanted my kids to take.

So she explained the process, and I said, well I really don't want my kids to be taking that because I don't see the benefit (it was some crap, reduced for effectiveness!, mixed in alcohol) . She countered with it is all natural, so no risk. I came back with, so is pot, but I assume you would be against me giving it to my kids. She didn't respond.