Antlers and Arthritis

How are antlers and arthritis related? Antlers and arthritis are related in two different ways. First, arthritis can be caused by Lyme disease which is carried by deer ticks. Deer may be carrying both the ticks with the disease and the cure. What do deer and arthritis have in common. More than you would think!

First, deer often carry deer ticks, which in turn can carry Lyme disease. In Stage 3, Tertiary Lyme disease, on of the symptoms is arthritis.

Secondly, it has been substantiated by the FDA that, velvet deer antler (deer antler velvet) can help arthritis because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

Tertiary Lyme disease occurs months to years after the initial infection with Lyme disease. Besides arthritis, tertiary lyme disease caused by deer ticks can also cause joint inflammation in the knees and other large joints, mood changes,memory loss, numbness and tingling,and sleep disorders

A blood test can be done to check for antibodies to the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. The most common one used is the ELISA for Lyme disease test. Then a Western blot test is done to confirm ELISA results. To keep deer out of your yard and landscape to reduce the threat to your family and pets, we suggest a complete deer control strategy. Complete information on repellents, electronic devices to repel deer, deer resistant plants, and more can be found at http://www.deer-departed.com. Deer-proofing is a great first start for protecting you and your family, not to mention your plants.

We also suggest an all natural treatment for your lawn and areas surrounding your home.At velvet antler (deer antler velvet) is a significant anti-inflammatory agent for the symptoms of osteo-arthritis and possibly other types of acute chronic inflammation as well.

Further research is being done to see if the same claims can be made for rheumatoid arthritis . Biochemical testing for collagen in antler is expected to further verify that antler velvet "supports joint structure and function" resulting from common symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Collagen constitutes 32% of deer velvet which works together with the connective tissues of the human body.

For people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, a disease that causes joint swelling and immobility, elk velvet could offer much relief.

Kathy Oberle, a U of C Faculty of Nursing professor, together with colleagues from the University of Alberta, conducted a successful pilot study two years ago and received national funding for the next phase of the research – a randomized controlled clinical trial examining velvet antler and arthritis.

"We are excited about the possibility that this might help people control their rheumatoid arthritis symptoms without side effects," says Oberle. "It’s on the market now, and many people who take it say it has positive effects. However it has never been subjected to the kind of rigorous scientific testing that health care providers expect. We want to be able to advise patients based on research, not hearsay, so we need people to take part in this controlled trial".

The study will test over 200 arthritis patients and give them either elk velvet or placebo pills along with their usual medications. Therefore the researchers are looking for participants who have diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis Elk velvet antler is harvested annually from elk livestock on farms. Male elk grow and shed their antlers every year. It is in the early stages of growth, while elk antlers are still velvety in appearance, that the antlers are thought to be most therapeutic. At this time antler tissue is extremely vascular and can grow to more than 40 pounds in just over two months.

Whether or not you are considering buying the deer velvet antler or elk velvet antler to try as an anti-inflammatory for arthritis, be sure that you buy quality products.