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OUR ORAL CYTOKINE FORMULA IS A TRUE GAME CHANGER

OUR ORAL CYTOKINE FORMULA IS A TRUE GAME CHANGER
18 Jan 2023

We constantly push the envelope to develop methods to improve our results clinically. Our new cytokine formula may be such a game-changer. Our unique formula makes use of a Velvet Deer Antler. But the formula is much different from those formulas out there both in strength and the formula itself. It is a propriety mix.

The above illustration represents the growing portion of the antler. Deer Antler Velvet has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years but has recently gained popularity in Western medicine. Deer antlers can enhance immune system function, improve athletic performance, increase muscle recovery, enhance sexual function, improve disease recovery, enhance cardiovascular function, and a host of other conditions.

Deer Antler Velvet covers the growing bone and cartilage that develops into deer antlers. The increasing antler contains several necessary cells, including fibroblasts, chondroblasts, chondrocytes, and osteocytes. The tips of the antlers begin as undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells, which are transformed into cartilage. Later, the cartilage is turned into bone because of testosterone. Deer antler velvet is an antler that is still in its cartilaginous stage.

One of the problems with Velvet Deer Antler is the purity and concentration of the product. Our antler product is sourced from a very reliable source. Typically, there is a concentration of 1500 mg of velvet extract per bottle. Honestly, that will have some effects, but it is not what we are looking for. So instead, we have sourced 4500 mg of Velvet Deer Antler per bottle. This concentration would not be legal for any professional athlete; thus, we would not use it on them. Typically, these higher concentrations will help balance hormones and promote tissue repair. In addition, we have added certain supplements to this very potent formula. These supplements will increase stem cell efficiency and output from the bone marrow. This combination is unique to our practice and network and is proprietary.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN COMPONENTS OF VELVET ANTLERS?

 

The above diagram gives some idea of the many benefits of deer extract. An important concept that is a common theme of many research papers is that the combination of all components of velvet antler provides a synergistic effect that is greater than the total effect that would be achieved by the separate use of each of its constituents. That means if velvet antler is broken down into components used separately, their combined effect is significantly less than the effect realized when the nutrients are provided in the naturally combined form of velvet antler. In summary, the impact of the complete product is more significant than the summed effect of all components.

Let us look at precisely what is found in the antler products. Most of the antler product consists of protein. The active ingredients include collagen, lipids, glycosaminoglycans, minerals, and various growth factors. We will look at the significant subgroups of components. The first component to look at is the glycosaminoglycans.

GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS

Glycosaminoglycans are complex carbohydrates. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) have widespread functions within the body. GAGs play a critical role in Regenerative Medicine. They play a crucial role in the cell signaling process, including regulation of cell growth, proliferation, promotion of cell adhesion, anticoagulation, and wound repair. They are an integral component of what is called the extracellular matrix. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is the non-cellular component present within all tissues and organs and provides essential physical scaffolding for the cellular constituents and initiates crucial biochemical and biomechanical cues required for tissue morphogenesis, differentiation, and homeostasis.

Research has shown GAGs exist in velvet antlers in several forms, including:

  • Chondroitin Sulphate – a carbohydrate that helps protect and rebuild degenerating cartilage and is regarded as a potent anti-inflammatory agent
  • Glycosphingolipids – are compounds involved with the growth and metabolism of cells and with memory and learning
  • Glucosamine Sulphate – is a component of Chondroitin Sulphate and is a major component of cartilage and synovial fluid
  • Hyaluronic acid – a substance that binds cartilage cells together and lubricates joints. It also acts as a signaling molecule in many biological processes. 
  • Phospholipids – the primary structural lipid of most cell membranes

Here is a good illustration of the Extra Cellular Matrix. It is the substance between the cells.

Antlers grow by endochondral ossification, the same way that long bones do. A major non-collagenous protein, proteoglycan, a protein substituted with glycosaminoglycan chains, occurs in the cartilaginous tissue of antlers. While its use in the antler is not understood, it has been shown that proteoglycan in cartilage, also called aggrecan, regulates the differentiation of chondrocytes and may control calcium concentration in the growth plates where endochondral ossification occurs. This may have important implications when we are treating joints with regenerative medicine.

More importantly, the following two illustration shows the ramifications of the Extra Cellular Matrix and the repair of various tissues. We can see why enhancing the Extra Cellular Matrix is so vital in Regenerative Medicine. We can see that these represent the pillars of regenerative cell therapy. There are few, if any, other products that have these effects on the extracellular matrix. This is undoubtedly a huge benefit of the Velvet Deer Antler product.

The Glycosaminoglycans have a hand in all of the above repair processes. However, most products only address the cellular portions of repair, while the antler products are more comprehensive.

The following illustration shows how Glycosaminoglycans are involved in the new field of tissue engineering. In the case of tissue engineering, we call the synthetic ECM a scaffold.

GROWTH FACTORS: THE CLONES OF WHAT STEM CELLS PRODUCE

When we look at velvet antler growth factors, we see a list of who’s who in the growth factor universe. Growth factors, generally considered a subset of cytokines, refer to the diffusible signaling proteins that stimulate cell growth, differentiation, survival, inflammation, and tissue repair. The major growth factors which are found in deer antlers include Insulin-Like growth factors (IGF-1), Bone morphogenetic growth factors (BMPs), Transforming growth factor family (TGF), Fibroblast growth factor (FGF), Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Epidermal growth factor (EGF), Interleukins, and a variety of other factors. When looking at the various growth factors, we realize that this appears to be like what is found in a Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) product; for that matter, stem cells release. The following shows some of the significant growth factors found in the antler product.

This allows the individual amino acids to be instantly absorbed and used by the body without digestion. All of o Of all the growth factors, the most consequential might be IGF-1. IGF-1 is a banned substance in the world of professional sports. The precursor of IGF-1 is Human Growth Hormone (HGH). IGF-1 is the active form of HGH. It is considered performance-enhancing. This is typically not an issue in the smaller doses, but in the higher doses we are using, this is a problem. Across the board, we will not give this formula to any athlete in high school, college, or professional sports arena. Putting this aside, why do we like IGF-1? We can see some of the benefits below.

Perhaps more importantly, we must look at IGF-1 based on cell biology. IGF-1 has been shown to enhance the migratory response of stem cells. We must realize that the IGF-1 supplied by deer antlers is a natural form. It seems safer than taking synthetic anabolic agents, which can have disastrous consequences for one’s health. The following diagram is somewhat complicated, but we see the importance of IGF-1. It will interact with the stem cell and cause the cell to go on to repair tissue or differentiate into that tissue.

IGF-1 and the other growth factors can also result in several other health benefits. These extra health benefits may include preserving a person’s muscle mass, improving the functioning of the immune system, increasing bone density, thus helping to strengthen Osteoporosis, a proper treatment for fibromyalgia conditions, and lastly, may aid in weight loss. The bottom line is that these growth factors are all critical in treating damaged tissue. This tissue could be a tendon, a joint, or a muscle. Remember, with the antler, we complement the growth factors supplied by the stem cells and the Platelet Rich Plasma. Also, by taking these supplements daily, we continue the repair process. The one minor caveat that we follow is that in patients with a history of certain cancers, we will typically recommend a lower dose of the antler product. We should also remember that antler products contain small amounts of the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen. In the proper quantities, these are also important for regeneration.

Another related factor found in the antler is Prostaglandins. They are substances with varying physiologic effects, acting as a vasodepressor, smooth muscle contraction or relaxation, inflammation, and uterine stimulation. As components of deer antler velvet, prostaglandins may assist in the capacity of the extract to reduce the swelling associated with arthritis and injury. They also have physiological responses in lipid metabolism, as seen in the cholesterol-lowering effects of deer antler velvet on laboratory animals.

AMINO ACIDS

Velvet antler contains many different types of amino acids. Amino acids, often referred to as the building blocks of proteins, are compounds that play many critical roles in your body. Amino acids are organic compounds composed of nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen and are a variable side chain group. Your body needs 20 different amino acids to grow and function properly. Though all 20 are essential for your health, only nine amino acids are considered critical. These are histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. Unlike nonessential amino acids, essential amino acids can’t be made by your body and must be obtained through your diet. Another type of amino acid is a Free-form amino acid. This refers to single amino acid already in a pre-digested form and ready to be used by your body. Some nutritional products, especially amino acid blends, contain whole proteins and large peptides (chains of amino acids), which the body must first break down into smaller peptides and individual amino acids before use. For faster utilization and better bioavailability, look for free-form amino acids. We can see that all the various type of amino acids works synergistically. They all have their purpose.

WHAT SUPPLEMENTS ARE ADDED TO THE FORMULA TO ENHANCE THE EFFECTS?

In addition to the Velvet Deer Antler, which provides all the compounds above. There are a host of other compounds which enhance the efficacy of the product. These include a natural matrix of herbs bounded by research and science to help one’s stem cells become more active and body supportive. The following compounds highlight these ingredients.

FUCOIDAN – found in the cell walls of certain seaweed species that have been used medicinally for various health purposes. Okinawa inhabitants have a diet rich in Wakame seaweed, which contains the highest concentrations of Fucoidan. Okinawa is also known for its high concentration of centenarians (people at least a century old), which researchers believe is linked to their fucoidan-rich diet. The anti-aging effects are associated with Fucoidan's remarkable ability to facilitate tissue regeneration and immune function and improve cell-to-cell communication. Fucoidan is known for its anti-aging products and is believed to combat cancer, metabolic syndrome, and other degenerative disorders. With stem cell therapy, there is always the risk that adult stem cells could unintentionally migrate to other areas of the body. However, the daily use of fucoidan has been proven to increase the mobilization of stem cells to the appropriate area/ site of injury. Not only can fucoidan point the stem cells in the proper direction, but it has also been shown to improve their survival during differentiation.

PTEROSTILBENE is a stilbene molecule and demethylated derivative of resveratrol (more bioavailable than resveratrol)  found in antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries, cranberries, and grapes. These all help to slow down the aging process. It is an antioxidant that helps fight free radical damage. In addition, it stimulates a series of pathways in the body called Sirtuin gene pathways. The sirtuin genes have effects on a variety of other pathways in the body. Ultimately, the Sirtuins regulate the mitochondria and subsequent ATP production. Research has shown that Pterostilbene protects against memory loss, high cholesterol, high blood pressure levels, and even certain types of cancer.

CARNOSINE is an essential nonessential amino acid that helps support brain, heart, and eye health. It offers antioxidant protection from free radicals and oxidative stress, boosts endurance, aids recovery, and offers electrolyte support.

BLACK RASPBERRY EXTRACT is one of the least known, yet most vital, antioxidants that ensures chromosomes retain their health and rebuild themselves to optimum health. RHODIOLA – an adaptogenic herb that can elevate your mood and mental stamina, reduce the stress hormone cortisol, and fight depression due to its protective effects on key mood neurotransmitters. Rhodiola Rosea extracts have recently demonstrated their anti-aging, anti-inflammation, immuno-stimulating, DNA repair, and anti-cancer effects in different model systems. An adaptogenic herb helps the body adapt to and resist physical, chemical, and environmental stress.

ASTRAGIN – a 100% natural compound that is patented and promotes a healthy gut lining reducing inflammation in the intestinal lining and increasing absorption of nutrients.

AstraGin can increase the assimilation of critical amino acids, which increase nitric oxide levels in the human body, making it the perfect performance enhancer when taken pre-workout.  Higher levels of nitric oxide result in enhanced blood flow to the muscle, which leads to better pumps, muscular contraction, and improved nutrient transportation. AstraGin also aids in glucose absorption, so having this pre-workout ensures sufficient energy levels while you train.

THE FINAL QUESTION IS HOW DOES THE ANTLER PRODUCT GET TO WHERE IT IS NEEDED?

One could have the absolute best formula on paper, but will it work? When evaluating medications and supplements, an essential aspect is the product's pharmacokinetics. This concerns the science of how the drug moves around in the body. Unfortunately, on paper, many compounds seem very promising but, in real life, could be a lot better. The main reason is that the body cannot absorb them.

The mode of absorption of the antler product is what is referred to as sublingual. This means it is absorbed under the tongue. This is many times a very effective mode of absorption. It bypasses the gut and goes directly into the bloodstream, where it is needed. The components are not broken down. Also, tiny particles called exosomes in the saliva can be considered a rising star in drug delivery. Saliva is a rich source of exosomes. Thus, we have a very efficient method of delivering the velvet components safely and reliably.

If we were to design a complete supplement to utilize in Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell therapy, Velvet Deer Antler would be at the top of our list. It has most of the ingredients needed for success. Furthermore, there is a very efficient way to deliver the goods to the cell where they are required. Deer antler will not be the only modality we will use, but it certainly has an important place on our mantle. We are constantly working to push the envelope, and I suspect more advances will come.

-Dr. Purita