Evidence supporting the use of: Elk antler
For the body system: Male Reproductive System
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Elk antler, often processed into "deer velvet," has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and some other Asian medicinal systems. It is reputed to support male vitality, sexual performance, and overall reproductive health. The rationale in traditional medicine is that velvet antler is a rich source of hormones, growth factors, and minerals, which are believed to enhance "yang" energy and reproductive capability in men.
Despite centuries of traditional use, modern scientific evidence supporting elk antler's efficacy for the male reproductive system is limited and generally of low quality. Some animal studies and small human trials have examined velvet antler's potential to improve testosterone levels, sperm quality, or sexual function, but results are mixed and often inconclusive. Most studies are either not well-controlled, have small sample sizes, or are conducted in animals rather than humans. The purported biological actives—such as IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1)—are present in velvet antler, but it is unclear if oral supplementation delivers bioactive levels or has significant physiological effects in humans.
In conclusion, elk antler is used primarily on the basis of tradition, with insufficient robust scientific validation for supporting the male reproductive system.
Other ingredients that support Male Reproductive System
AbutaAlchornea
Allium tuberosum
amino acids
Angelica
animal protein
anise
anti-aromatase
antler
ashwagandha
aspartic acid
avocado
ba ji tian
barrenwort
bee products
Beef liver
beta-sitosterol
black galingale
black ginger
black seed
Borassus aethiopum
boron
Brazil nut
broccoli
Bulbine natalensis
Butea monosperma
Butea superba
Caesalpinia crista
caterpillar mushroom
catuaba
Chinese fleeceflower
Chinese mountain ant
Chinese pond turtle
Chlorophytum
cistanche
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cnidium
cordyceps
cowage seed
Crinum latifolium
cruciferous
Cucurbita
Curculigo orchioides
Cyanotis arachnoides
Cyanotis vaga
Cynomorium
d-alpha tocopherol
D-Aspartic Acid
damiana
date
deer velvet
DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dodder
egg
elk antler
equol (proprietary)
Euryale seed
Eurycoma Longifolia
eurycomanone
Fadogia agrestis
fatty acids
fenugreek
fish
fo-ti
folate
folic acid
furostanols
garden cress
ginseng
Ginsenosides
gokhru
herbal blend (proprietary)
horny goat weed
Hygrophila
icariin
Indian sarsparilla
Jatropha macrantha
Kigelia africana
Kokilaksha
L-arginine
L-citrulline
Leptadenia
lingzhi
lipids
Loranthus
lycopene
maca
macaenes
macamides
magnesium
maral root
Massularia acuminata
Melatonin
Montanoa tomentosa
Muira puama
Nettle
Nigella seed
Nymphaea caerulea
Orchis latifolia
Osthole
parsley
Pedalium
pomegranate
protein
Protodioscin
pumpkin
pygeum
Rehmannia
rehmannia glutinosa
Rhaponticum
royal jelly
Safed musli
saffron
saw palmetto
selenium
Selenocysteine
Selenomethionine
Semecarpus anacardium
sesame
Shataverins
Shilajit
smilax
suma
Tiger Nut
Tongkat ali
trace minerals
Tribuloside
tribulus
Tribulus Terrestris
Trichilia catigua
velvet bean
vitamin B
vitamin D
vitamin E
Walnut
wheat germ
Withanolides
Yohimbe
Yohimbine
Zinc
Other body systems supported by elk antler
BloodBrain
Circulatory System
Glandular System
Immune System
Joints
Kidneys
Liver
Male Reproductive System
Muscles
Reproductive System
Skeletal System (Bones)
Urinary System
