Nutritional Support For Joint Structure and Function


The first health care claim of deer velvet antler to be substantiated by scientific evidence, in compliance with US Food and Drug Administration dietary supplement regulations, was announced by the North American Elk Breeders Association (NAEBA) recently. Executive Director Ben Coplan said the determination, made by two consulting firms hired by NAEBA, Nutrinfo of Watertown, Massachusetts and Tradeworks Group, Inc. of Brattleboro, Vermont, is a significant breakthrough for the nation's 1,400 breeders of farm-raised elk.

According to Coplan, the Nutrinfo report states there is a reasonable basis to claim that velvet antler helps relieve the symptoms of arthritis. However, a disease claim may not be used for a dietary supplement in the US; therefore, the acceptable statement for product labels and advertisements of a dietary supplement would be "provides nutritional support for joint structure and function."

"This determination, by two of the leading dietary supplement firms in the world, is "just what the doctor ordered" for the members of our growing agricultural industry," Coplan said.

Many studies have shown most of the carbohydrate in antler is proteoglycan, which is a combination of protein and carbohydrate. The carbohydrate portion is primarily glycosaminoglycan, of which chondroitin sulfate is by far the predominant constituent. One study cited by the Nutrinfo report evaluated the clinical efficacy of chondroitin sulfate in knee osteoarthritis. Treatment with 3 X 400 mg doses per day for 90 days provided significant relief from symptoms as reported by patients. "We intend to research and substantiate other health benefit claims for velvet antler," Coplan said.

"We want to carefully research the potential benefits of velvet antler supplements for supporting the immune system, anti-aging, muscle strength and endurance, and sexual vitality."

Deer velvet antler has been highly regarded in traditional oriental medicine for two thousand years. It is consumed regularly by people of Japan, Taiwan, Korea and Hong Kong as a highly prized medicinal drug to treat blood loss, weakness, and chronic joint pain. Scientific studies in Canada and New Zealand are now verifying the health benefits of this important supplement.

"The scientific-backed health benefit claim will greatly expand marketing opportunities for velvet antler dietary supplements in the United States," Coplan stated.

The FDA in the United States regulates claims for dietary supplements through a process, which is different than for medicinal drugs; it does not "approve" dietary supplements, but allows producers to substantiate structure/function claims through critical review of scientific studies.

In North America, farmers and ranchers raise approximately 110,000 elk, the largest of the deer family. Historically, the velvet antler harvested by North American farmers has been exported to Asian countries. As the natural foods and dietary supplement market has expanded in the U.S., farmers have turned their attention to the domestic market. Association headquarters is in Platte City, Mo.Copies of the scientific report on velvet antler are available from the NAEBA office.From: North American Elk Breeders Association






Premature Ejaculation

Premature ejaculation (PE) is the most common sexual dysfunction in men younger than 40 years. Most professionals who treat premature ejaculation define this condition as the occurrence of ejaculation prior to the wishes of both sexual partners. This broad definition thus avoids specifying a precise duration for sexual relations and reaching a climax, which is variable and depends on many factors specific to the individuals engaging in intimate relations. An occasional instance of premature ejaculation might not be cause for concern, but, if the problem occurs with more than 50% of attempted sexual relations, a dysfunctional pattern usually exists for which treatment may be appropriate.

To clarify, a male may reach climax after 8 minutes of sexual intercourse, but this is not premature ejaculation if his partner regularly climaxes in 5 minutes and both are satisfied with the timing. Another male might delay his ejaculation for a maximum of 20 minutes, yet he may consider this premature if his partner, even with foreplay, requires 35 minutes of stimulation before reaching climax. If intercourse is the method of sexual stimulation for the second example and the male climaxes after 20 minutes of intercourse and then loses his erection, satisfying his partner (at least with intercourse), who needs 35 minutes to climax, is impossible.

Because many females are unable to reach climax at all with vaginal intercourse (no matter how prolonged), this situation may actually represent delayed orgasm for the female partner rather than premature ejaculation for the male; the problem can be either or both, depending on the point of view. This highlights the importance of obtaining a thorough sexual history from the patient (and preferably from the couple).

The human sexual response can be divided into 3 phases: desire (libido), excitement (arousal), and orgasm. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) classifies sexual disorders into 4 categories: (1) primary, (2) general medical condition–related, (3) substance-induced, and (4) not otherwise specified. Each of the 4 DSM-IV categories has disorders in all 3 sexual phases.

Premature ejaculation may be primary or secondary. Primary applies to individuals who have had the condition since they became capable of functioning sexually (ie, postpuberty). Secondary indicates that the condition began in an individual who previously experienced an acceptable level of ejaculatory control, and, for unknown reasons, he began experiencing premature ejaculation later in life. With secondary premature ejaculation, the problem does not relate to a general medical disorder, and it is usually not related to substance inducement, although, rarely, hyperexcitability might relate to a psychotropic drug and resolves when the drug is withdrawn. Premature ejaculation fits best into the category of not otherwise specified because no one really knows what causes it, although psychological factors are suggested in most cases.