Does elk velvet antler relieve arthritic pain?

Research study seeks participants

A research study on the use of elk velvet antler in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is currently seeking participants in Calgary who suffer from this ailment.

Elk velvet antler is an ancient Chinese remedy that is reputed to have a wide variety of positive physiological effects.
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. About 100 patients from Edmonton have already entered the trial, and the researchers are now seeking participants from the Calgary area.

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

“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
• are still experiencing some symptoms, despite taking standard therapy
• did not develop their RA in childhood
• live in the Calgary area

Potential participants interested in finding out more about the study can call 1-866-492-6427 or 1-403-220-7863.

Elk velvet 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.