Deer Velvet Product Safety Sheet
December 2003
This advertisement is approved in accordance with the TAPS Guidelines and Procedures: JD8659.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Although deer velvet may have many benefits for consumers, different people can be affected in different ways. There is a small chance that some consumers of deer velvet could experience adverse effects, some of which may be serious.
For this reason Deer Industry New Zealand has produced this Sheet which contains a summary of the possible adverse effects of deer velvet on which Deer Industry New Zealand believes it has reasonable information. This Sheet is intended to help consumers decide whether taking deer velvet is appropriate for them.
Deer velvet is available from many manufacturers in a number of different formulations. Therefore, this Sheet is not intended to apply to specific deer velvet products as the properties and effects of each deer velvet product may vary. Consumers should contact the manufacturers of any deer velvet product they intend to take for information on any risks associated with that particular product.
Before consumers use any form of deer velvet it is recommended that they consult their health professional. In particular, as with all dietary supplements, consumers should consult their health professional if they are:
- Taking any prescription medicines; or
- Receiving other medical treatment; or
- Pregnant or breastfeeding; or
- Under the age of 18
Consumers must not rely on anything contained in or referred to in this Sheet in substitution for advice from their health professional.
POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECTS
- Many substances and foods in common use today are known to cause allergic responses, which in very rare cases can be severe and immediate. Deer velvet is no different in this respect and a small minority of persons will be allergic to deer velvet products. Therefore, deer velvet may be inappropriate for those with allergies. There are anecdotal accounts (meaning personal accounts which are not scientifically verified) of some people having an allergic response to deer velvet. However, Deer Industry New Zealand is not aware of any instances when a severe allergic response has occurred following consumption of deer velvet.
- There is anecdotal evidence that, for some consumers, taking deer velvet:
- May cause bleeding noses
- May cause a temporary increase in body temperature. Therefore, for example, it may be inappropriate for consumers to take deer velvet if they have a high temperature
- May cause headaches
- May cause diarrhoea
If a consumer experiences any of these problems, consumption of deer velvet should be reduced or stopped and if problems persist, medical advice sought.
- An experiment with rats raised the possibility that deer velvet may increase the size, but not the number, of pre-existing tumours in the large intestine of rats. However, it is important to note that:
- doubts have been raised concerning interpretation of the results due to the trial design and deficiencies in some of the measurements that were made; and
- this experiment measured the effects of deer velvet on chemically induced tumours in the large intestine of rats. A naturally occurring tumour may not respond in the same way; and
- this experiment used a very high dose of deer velvet, as was appropriate for an experiment of this nature, but the dose significantly exceeded that which a human would reasonably be expected to consume in normal daily use. The rats received deer velvet for a significant proportion (approximately 25 percent) of their lifespan. The response may be different for different dose rates and different periods of use
DINZ is not aware of any information that is available about the effects of deer velvet on other types of cancer. Further, in published scientific literature that Deer Industry New Zealand is aware of, and from this experiment there is no indication that deer velvet causes cancer.
The significance of the results of the experiment for human health is not known. However, consumers should exercise caution in their use of deer velvet if they have cancer or are at increased risk of developing cancer compared to the general population.
Traditional Medicine
Deer Industry New Zealand is aware that practitioners of traditional oriental medicine may not recommend the use of deer velvet in certain circumstances. This Sheet does not provide information on such traditional medicinal practices. Please refer to a practitioner of traditional medicine if you are interested in this type of information.
Further Information
If you would like further information on deer velvet, and the most up to date version of this Sheet, please refer to www.velvet.org.nz or contact:
Deer Industry New Zealand
PO Box 10702
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Tel: +64 4 382 8626
Fax: +64 4 382 9143
Email: info@velvet.org.nz
While the information in this Sheet is correct to the best of Deer Industry New Zealand’s knowledge, Deer Industry New Zealand takes no responsibility for verifying this information or confirming its accuracy.
The information in this Sheet should not be regarded as advice from Deer Industry New Zealand that deer velvet will give relief or protection from particular conditions or benefit any person.
This Sheet is intended for information purposes only. Without limitation this Sheet (or any part of this Sheet) must not be incorporated, in any material without the prior written approval of Deer Industry New Zealand.