WADA Lifts Ban on Deer Antler Spray

This week comes a victory for athletes of all kinds: the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) lifted its ban on deer antler velvet and growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Stating that "IGF-1 can be found naturally in animal products," WADA revised it's previous ban to merely a warning to athletes that they use deer antler velvet and IGF-1 "at their own risk." (1) Of course, we realize WADA should revise that further to say, "use at your own benefit." With controversy this year surrounding professional athletes like Ray Lewis and Vijay Singh for their use of deer antler products, this change in WADA's policy is well-timed. WADA is the authority on prohibited supplements for many professional sports leagues, and numerous athletes have been unfairly ridiculed and even penalized for their use of this all-natural product. With athletes pushing themselves to their physical limits daily, one has to wonder why an all natural supplement that will assist them in recovery and re-strengthening would ever be prohibited.