It is the fad that is taking the sports nation by storm-a revolutionary way to heal from injuries, it is deer antler spray.
That is right, deer antler spray.
"Made from the soft fuzz that grows annually on male deer antlers, the unproven performance enhancer is often used by athletes who believe it helps heal cartilage and tendon injuries more quickly and boosts strength and endurance," according to National Geographic.
It is basically a growth hormone that is believed to be "very effective in healing some cartilage and tendon injuries, notes Leon Popovitz, an orthopedic surgeon and founder of New York Bone & Joint in Manhattan, according to National Geographic.
Popovitz continued his explanation by stating how the deer antler "affects how the body repairs itself. First, the hormone aids in building up a matrix or base-essentially a building block of protein-that's needed for cells to grow.
Then, the substance increases the number of new cells that accumulate on that base, which get busy healing the injury," according to National Geographic.
As of right now, this spry isn't approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) an d is also banned by the National Football League.
This issue came up a few days ago when a pharmaceutical company, called, Sports With Alternatives To Steroids (S.W.A.T.S) revealed that they have provided Baltimore Ravens' linebacker, Ray Lewis, the deer antler spray to aid in his torn-triceps injury.
Sports Illustrated reported that Lewis "ad gone to S.W.A.T.S., which uses unconventional supplements to treat players and boost their performance, after his triceps injury in October and had perhaps used the deer-antler spray."
They further report that S.W.A.T.S owner, Mitch Ross provided the products, but wanted Lewis to give S.W.A.T.S. credit when he returned. That didn't happen when someone asked Lewis about the report a few questions into his media-day availability."
Lewis has denied the claim stating during his Super-Bowl-Week press conference on Tuesday, "Two years ago that was the same report, I wouldn't give that report or him any of my press," Lewis said during his news conference, which was broadcast on the NFL Network. "He's not worthy of that. Next question," according to WFAN.
Where it gets trick is that Sports Illustrated reported that Ross recorded his conversation with Lewis.
"Ross prescribed a deluxe program, including holographic stickers on the right elbow; copious quantities of the powder additive; sleeping in front of a beam-ray light programmed with frequencies for tissue regeneration and pain relief; drinking negatively charged water; a 10-per-day regimen of the deer-antler pills that will "rebuild your brain via your small intestines" (and which Lewis said he hadn't been taking, then swallowed four during the conversation); and spritzes of deer-antler velvet extract (the Ultimate Spray) every two hours.
"Spray on my elbow every two hours?" Lewis asked.
"No," Ross said, "under your tongue."
Toward the end of the talk, Lewis asked Ross to "just pile me up and just send me everything you got, because I got to get back on this this week."
The amazing part in all of this is an injury like the one Lewis sustained earlier in the season, which required major surgery, usually means a lengthy time away from the game to rehab, rest and recuperates, but Lewis was able to come back for the Ravens' playoff run, ultimately, playing a significant role in the team making it to the Super Bowl (being play Sunday, February 3, on CBS).
Does this all sound fishy to anyone?
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
