Do IGF-1 Supplements Affect Hair Growth?

Do IGF-1 Supplements Affect Hair Growth?

The scientists point to the IGF-1 found in deer antler velvet as the possible reason for this effect. They conclude that IGF-1 “may play a role in regulating the hair cycle and follicle cell proliferation” (2014, Jing-jie Li et al.).

Until recently, solutions for hair growth in men were prohibitively expensive and often involved painful procedures like hair grafts. However, in the past few years, many new treatments have been explored and tested, showing significant results. This new research has lead to new hair growth products and beard growth products entering the market.

This influx of new products has been very encouraging for men who suffer from male-pattern baldness or a patchy beard. One of the most exciting supplements, thought to increase new hair growth, is deer antler velvet, or IGF-1.

But Do IGF-1 Supplements Really Affect Hair Growth?

Yes, IGF-1 deer antler supplements can help reduce hair loss and stimulate desired hair growth. Studies* have consistently found that IGF-1 can stimulate hair growth, making it a much more cost-effective and accessible solution for people who are suffering from hair loss or patchy facial hair.

Most deer antler spray users already know about the countless benefits that deer antler spray/IGF-1 can offer, whether it’s helping reduce the adverse effects of aging to helping promote lean muscle growth. However, there has been a substantial amount of research released in the last several years discussing the possibilities of deer antler velvet extract as an aid to hair growth.

Deers shed their antlers each year to grow new ones (which is where deer antler velvet itself comes from). Deer antlers are actually the only mammalian appendage that are able to regenerate, which probably explains many of the health and growth promotion properties that deer antler velvet possesses.

This made scientists curious to investigate whether or not deer antler velvet could have an effect on hair regrowth. As it turns out, the results of their studies seem to suggest exactly that.

The first study, conducted by Changkeun Sung and published in the Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences in 2012, studied the impact of deer antler velvet on hair growth in rats. Deer antler velvet extract was applied to rats’ skin for 40 days. By day 16, hair growth had markedly increased in the rats given deer antler extract compared to a control group that did not receive it. The control group’s hair growth was both shorter and rarer. At the end of the study, the group of rats with the deer antler velvet extract application showed a final hair length of .66cm and the control group only had a length of .22cm. Inspection of the tissues showed that the mice given antler extract experienced a marked increase in the size, depth, and number of their hair follicles.

Researchers leading a study published in the Scientific World Journal in February 2014 observed that when deer antler velvet extract was given to male mice, the anagen phase of their hair growth cycle was extended. This finding is significant because the anagen phase is where the actual growth of hair is done. The researchers note, “In the same study, we coincidentally observed that deer antler extract seemed to have a stimulatory effect on hair regrowth” (2014, Jing-jie Li et al.).

The scientists point to the IGF-1 found in deer antler velvet as the possible reason for this effect. They conclude that IGF-1 “may play a role in regulating the hair cycle and follicle cell proliferation” (2014, Jing-jie Li et al.).

Mice and humans share about 92% of the same genes, which is why mice are often used in scientific and medical studies pertaining to humans. This means that the incredible responses the mice experienced with deer antler velvet extract could potentially produce similar reactions in humans.

It’s pretty amazing to see another area of wellness where deer antler velvet/IGF-1 may be able to make a huge difference. These findings suggest that deer antler velvet extract may be a valuable element to include in hair growth treatment and could help benefit the millions of men and women who suffer from hair loss.

Hair Loss - An Age-Old Problem

For many males, hair loss or baldness has always been seen as a sign of impending old age and a loss of vitality. For ages, there has been a stigma attached to going bald, and many attempts to find a cure have failed—despite the Greeks, Nords, and Romans giving it their best effort.

These days, it is not uncommon to see certain men embracing baldness. For instance, celebrities like Dwayne Johnson, Michael Jordan, and Jason Statham embrace their hair loss with shaved heads, which steers into the skid, so to speak. However, not everyone can pull off the look with the same charisma as a world-class athlete or movie star.

Most men still experience a loss of confidence when their hair starts receding or thinning and it's always nice to have options.

Don’t Forget the Beard

Not every man has hair issues on top of his head. With beards reaching previously unseen levels of popularity, it can be tough times for a man who wants to grow a thick, full beard, only to find blank spots or patchiness. Having a full beard has always been considered “manly,” but those who still have teenage-looking beards usually just end up shaving.

Fortunately for those men, IGF-1 doesn’t just work on the hair under your hat. The natural supplement can help with a full, bushy beard, as well. It’s tough to have a finely-manicured and manly beard when it grows in sporadically, so many men are putting IGF-1 to use on their facial hair as well.

What is IGF-1?

IGF-1 is a protein that can be found in humans, typically released by the liver. Although the natural release of IGF-1 can occur throughout a man’s life, it is most active during puberty. Fortunately, alternative sources for the hormone are now found in supplements.

IGF-1 supplements are made from deer antler velvet, which is ethically harvested in a safe and simple process that doesn’t harm the animal in any way. The bucks regenerate new antlers every year, and the fresh growth contains IGF-1. Its regenerative properties are exactly what makes the substance attractive to men with hair growth issues.

Why Do Men Go Bald?

As they grow older, most men will notice that their hair gets thinner. Receding hairlines are a fact of life for most and can start soon after your teenage years. However, this doesn’t mean you will go bald. Typically, that occurs due to a gene that makes your hair follicles more sensitive to a male hormone called DHT, which causes the follicles to grow progressively smaller and thinner hairs.

As a result, it takes longer for hair to grow, which then leads to the follicles shrinking to the point that hair stops growing altogether. Ironically, the increased levels of DHT often lead to thicker beards and facial hair.

Other causes of baldness include:

  • Stress
  • Iron deficiency
  • Certain drugs that increase the levels of stress hormones in your body
  • Lifestyle factors like poor quality sleep and excessive alcohol consumption

How Can IGF-1 Help with Hair Loss?

IGF-1 supplements have been primarily used by adults who wanted to improve their muscle mass. But it has also been found to have many other health benefits associated with aging, such as joint relief, improved sleep, and enhanced cognitive functions. Additionally, more recent studies have found that an increase in the level of IGF-1 can aid hair growth.

Men who suffer from male-pattern baldness have been shown to have an IGF-1 deficiency in the hair follicles of the scalp. In clinical studies* where mice are given deer antler velvet, they had increased hair growth over a control group. These studies have shown that alongside the many anti-aging properties of IGF-1, it can help tackle DHT head-on, while also:

  • Increasing blood flow to the hair root
  • Preventing further hair loss
  • Stimulating hair restoration

Deer antler velvet contains large quantities of naturally occurring IGF-1, so after many years of searching for a solution to male-pattern baldness, a solution is finally at hand.

Where Does the Deer Antler Velvet Come From?

With over 50 million people in the US suffering from some form of baldness, many beard growth products and hair growth products for men have entered the market. However, some of these products have been found to have some unwanted side effects. IGF-1 supplements, full of the naturally occurring deer antler velvet, are the perfect solution because they are not weighed down by those side effects.

The deer antlers are ethically sourced from New Zealand each spring when the deer cast off their old antlers to grow new ones. It was this yearly regeneration that inspired the initial research. Harvested deer antler velvet, full of IGF-1, can then be used to create the IGF-1 supplements such as sprays or pills. In addition to the hair growth benefits, regular usage can improve cognitive functions and the visible signs of aging*.

Where to Buy IGF-1 Supplements

If you suffer from hair loss or patchy facial hair, look no further than the ethically sourced IGF-1 supplements from Nutronics Labs. They are available in spray form in various formulations and can be used as part of your daily supplement regime.

You get our 30 day, 100% money-back guarantee and massive savings when you sign up for our Autoship program. Click below to see our selection of IGF-1 supplements.

View Our Natural Supplements

*Deer Antler Velvet Scientific Study

Sources: Jing-jie Li, Zheng Li, Li-juan Gu, Yun-bo Wang, Mi-ra Lee, and Chang-keun Sung, “Aqueous Extract of Red Deer Antler Promotes Hair Growth by Regulating the Hair Cycle and Cell Proliferation in Hair Follicles,” The Scientific World Journal, vol. 2014, Article ID 878162, 7 pages, 2014.

ZhiHong Yang, LiJuan Gu, DongLiang Zhang, Zheng Li, JingJie Li, MiRa Lee, ChunYan Wang, Zhen Wang, JeongHee Cho,Changkeun Sung, “Red Deer Antler Extract Accelerates Hair Growth by Stimulating Expression of Growth Factor I in Full-thickness Wound Healing Rat Model,” Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences (AJAS); 25(5): 708-716, 2012 (web).

 

Related Posts

How To Naturally Increase Glutathione Levels
How To Naturally Increase Glutathione Levels
Glutathione is an antioxidant that is naturally made in the liver and helps protect your body from oxidative stress. ...
Read More
Liposomal Glutathione Benefits | GSH Supplement
Liposomal Glutathione Benefits | GSH Supplement
Liposomal glutathione (GSH) may sound like a fantastical miracle supplement that just arrived on the market, but it m...
Read More
Nutronics Labs Is The Best Source For Deer Antler Velvet
Nutronics Labs Is The Best Source For Deer Antler Velvet
Not all deer antler velvet is made the same. At Nutronics Labs, we produce the highest quality deer antler velvet on ...
Read More

Older Post Newer Post

Wholesale Info

Dr. Bruce Fong, D.O., H.M.D.

Medical Director at Nutronics Labs


"We are pioneers in Integrative Medicine, blending the best conventional medicine with the best alternative therapies. Nutronics Labs Deer antler spray is a vital component of our holistic approach to healing patients."

sierra-integrative-logo

How It Works

  1. Find the product you'd like to purchase – Shop Now!
  2. Buy 1 get 1 Free
  3. Purchase your first bottle with Autoship (you'll get 50% off your order)
  4. Get Free shipping on orders of $49 or more
  5. You'll continue to save 50% every single month for as long as you stay on autoship!
  6. Cancel anytime!

Shop Now