2000 YEARS OF TRADITION PROVEN TO BE TRUE

New Zealand scientists have now proven what oriental medicine has known for more than 2000 years, that deer velvet is good for you.

Research results show that velvet stimulates the body's immune system, which wards off infections.

Research at AgResearch Invermay, near Dunedin, showed that treating human white blood cells with extracts of New Zealand antler velvet stimulated the immune system, as measured by increased production of white blood cells.

This response, immunopotentiation in scientific terms, is the body's defence mechanism. Increased numbers of white blood cells are produced to fight "intruder" bugs.

"The implications are potentially very big, although these are early days and there is still more work to be done," said New Zealand Game Industry Board Chief Executive Mr Rick Christie.

"In the medical area, including western style medicine, this means velvet could be used both for a preventative treatment in its own right and to support some remedial treatments by strengthening the body's own immune system.

"There are many conditions where boosting the body's immune system would make a huge difference to the success of other treatments.

"For example, research is presently being undertaken in Korea into velvet's effectiveness when used to build up the strength and resilience of patients undergoing cancer treatment.

"Indications so far are very positive and we hope to be able to announce results in the next few months.

"We're not saying that deer velvet is a cure for cancer, AIDS or any other complaint. But the science strongly indicates that deer velvet may be effective in supporting other treatments.

"From the industry's perspective, adding scientific support for traditional usage boosts the product's strength in the market.

"There is extensive anecdotal evidence of velvet's effectiveness, but now we're generating some rational scientific evidence to verify those claims. That's an important step for velvet in the international natural health market." Mr Christie said.

The New Zealand deer industry organisation, the New Zealand Game Industry Board (NZGIB), commissioned AgResearch scientists, in association with Otago University colleagues, to test velvet's effectiveness scientifically.

The industry is now developing industry quality and efficacy standards for velvet products, based on these scientific tests.

Traditionally, velvet is used in Asia as a nourishing tonic especially before winter to prevent illness. It is an essential part of the "promoting wellness " rather than "curing illness" philosophy, on which oriental medicine is based.

Treatment with New Zealand velvet extract, at varying levels of strength, consistently produced this response. There were some variations according to the time of harvesting and section of the antler used.