From the “Duh” Files: World Anti-Doping Agency Drops Deer Antler Velvet from Banned Supplements List
Yep, they’ve finally come to their senses: the World Anti-Doping Agency has realized that they were wrong about Deer Antler Velvet, and removed it from their list of banned supplements. For those people trying to sell deer antler velvet supplements (sprays, powders, etc), as a natural alternative to HGH (human growth hormone) therapy, it is a bitter, but necessary blow (Deer Antler Velvet contains IGF-1, which is related to HGH).
You see, if Deer Antler Velvet did anything other than offer a powerful placebo effect, you can bet your bottom dollar that it would still be on the list. The reason it has been removed is because the clinical data (see here, here, and here for examples) does not support the claims being made for it… regardless of the endorsements made by the NFL players who swear by it.
For those who feel vindicated by this reversal…
You shouldn’t.
The World Anti-Doping Agency has reversed its position on deer antler velvet because it has been convinced it does not provide athletes with an “unfair competitive edge.”
In other words, it doesn’t work.
See Dr. Jordan Moon’s article, “Doping with Deer Antlers“, if you are interested in learning more.
