The terms reindeer antler powder and deer velvet are often used as though they describe the same thing. They do not.
Although both materials come from members of the deer family, they differ significantly in their origin, stage of antler growth, method of collection and composition.
Cigapan is made from naturally shed, fully ossified reindeer antler, not from deer velvet.
Here is what makes the two materials different.
Reindeer and Deer Are Not the Same Animal
The reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) is adapted to Arctic and sub-Arctic environments, including the northern regions of Siberia.
Unlike most other members of the deer family, both male and female reindeer can grow antlers.
Deer velvet, on the other hand, most commonly comes from species such as:
- red deer (Cervus elaphus)
- sika deer (Cervus nippon)
Deer velvet production is commonly associated with deer farming in countries such as New Zealand, China and Russia.
Both deer and reindeer grow and shed antlers as part of a natural annual cycle.
The important difference is when the antler is collected.
What Is Deer Velvet?
Deer velvet is the name given to a young antler that is still actively growing.
At this stage, the antler is covered with a soft, hairy skin known as velvet. Inside, the developing antler contains cartilage-like tissue and is supplied with blood vessels and nerves.
For deer velvet production, the antler is removed during this growth phase, typically several weeks after growth begins.
The procedure is generally carried out using sedation or local anaesthesia. The collected material is then processed, dried and ground.
Because it is collected during active growth, deer velvet contains significant amounts of protein and other biological components associated with developing tissue.
It may also contain substances such as IGF-1, which is one reason deer velvet preparations have received attention in the context of anti-doping regulations in sport.
What Is Naturally Shed Reindeer Antler?
Naturally shed reindeer antler represents a very different stage of the antler cycle.
As the growing season ends, the antler becomes fully ossified and mineralised.
The velvet skin disappears, the blood supply to the antler ends and the structure becomes hard, similar to bone.
Eventually, the reindeer naturally sheds the antler.
The antlers used for Cigapan are collected after this natural shedding process.
This means the animal does not need to be captured, sedated or subjected to an antler-removal procedure.
Naturally Shed Reindeer Antler vs Deer Velvet
| Characteristic | Naturally Shed Reindeer Antler | Deer Velvet |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Rangifer tarandus | Commonly Cervus elaphus or Cervus nippon |
| Stage of growth | Fully developed and ossified | Actively growing |
| Tissue type | Hard, mineralised antler | Soft developing tissue |
| Collection method | Collected after natural shedding | Removed during antler growth |
| Contact with animal | No intervention required | Requires a procedure |
| Structure | Mineralised bone-like structure | Cartilage-like tissue, blood vessels and velvet skin |
| Typical composition | Minerals and natural collagen matrix | Proteins and components associated with growing tissue |
| Typical source | Natural reindeer habitats | Mainly deer farms |
Why the Mineral Composition Is Different
Fully ossified reindeer antler is naturally mineralised.
Laboratory analysis of the reindeer antler powder used for Cigapan found approximately:
- 174 mg of calcium per gram
- 85.3 mg of phosphorus per gram
The material also retains the natural collagen matrix characteristic of mineralised antler tissue.
This composition reflects the fact that the antler has already completed its growth cycle before being naturally shed.
What Makes Cigapan Different?
Cigapan is produced exclusively from naturally shed, fully ossified reindeer antler from the Arctic regions of Siberia.
It does not contain deer velvet.
It is therefore important not to confuse Cigapan with products commonly marketed as deer velvet supplements, velvet antler or deer antler velvet.
Each Cigapan capsule contains:
400 mg of reindeer antler powder
in a plant-based HPMC capsule.
No anti-caking agents are added.
The raw material is independently tested for heavy metals and microbiological safety.
A Natural Source of Calcium
At an intake of 2 capsules per day, Cigapan provides:
139.2 mg of calcium
which corresponds to approximately:
17% of the daily Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) for calcium.
Calcium is needed for the maintenance of normal bones and teeth.
Naturally Collected, Without Antler Removal
One of the main distinctions between Cigapan and deer velvet products is the way the raw material is obtained.
Reindeer naturally shed their antlers as part of their biological cycle.
The material used for Cigapan is collected only after the antler has been naturally shed.
No antler needs to be removed from a living animal.
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