Evidence supporting the use of: Antler
For the body system: Skeletal System (Bones)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Antler, particularly deer antler velvet, has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries as a tonic believed to support bone health and strengthen the skeletal system. Historical records from ancient Chinese texts, such as the "Shennong Bencao Jing," cite antler as a remedy for conditions associated with weakness of the bones, joints, and tendons, as well as to promote growth and healing after injuries or fractures. The rationale for this traditional use stems from the observation that antlers are rapidly growing bone and cartilage, leading to the belief that they contain substances beneficial for human bone health.
Modern scientific validation for these claims remains limited. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest that extracts from antler velvet may have positive effects on bone metabolism, potentially promoting osteoblast activity and inhibiting bone resorption. However, robust clinical trials in humans are lacking, and there is insufficient evidence to conclusively support the use of antler as an effective treatment for bone disorders or to enhance skeletal health. Most of the purported benefits remain rooted in traditional use rather than scientific consensus. Therefore, while antler is traditionally used to support the skeletal system, the strength of evidence is modest, meriting a rating of 2.
Other ingredients that support Skeletal System (Bones)
AchyranthesAlfalfa
Algae
Algas calcareas
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
animal protein
antler
arugula
baicalein
beef
bone marrow
bone protein
boneset
boron
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
bovine
bovine cartilage / glycosaminoglycan
bovine protein
broccoli
Buckwheat
calcium
cartilage
Chinese mountain ant
Chinese pond turtle
Chinese salvia root
Chinese silkvine
chondroitin
chuchuhuasi
Cissus quadrangularis
citrate malate
cod liver oil
collagen
collard
comfrey
Corallina officinalis
cruciferous
daidzein
deer velvet
devil's claw
Dipsacus
dolomite
Drynaria
egg
elk antler
estrogen
eucommia
Eucommia ulmoides
fibroblast growth factor
fish
fish protein
Foxtail millet
fructoborate
genistein
genistin
Glycosaminoglycans
green-lipped mussel
herbal blend (proprietary)
HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
horse gram
horsetail
hydroxyproline
icariin
Indian frankincense
ipriflavone
isoflavones
Kaempferol
Ledebouriella
Legume protein
Lithothamnion
magnesium
manganese
Microcrystalline hydroxyapatite concentrate (MCHC)
Milk
Milk Protein
Mineral blend
Molasses
Osthole
Peptides
phosphorus
Phytoestrogens
Polygonatum
protein
proteoglycans
prune
Rehmannia
rehmannia glutinosa
seaweed
sesame
Shilajit
silicon
Sinomenium acutum
solomon's seal
Soy
soy isoflavones
Soy Protein
Spatholobus
spinach
strontium
Taxillus chinensis
Taxillus sutchuenensis
trace minerals
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin K
