TAMPA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / June 21, 2016 / With the new recent court filings and the WADA statement in the Vijay Singh case, deer antler expert and CEO Jim Powers of TEN Institute a leading manufacturer of deer antler extract products wants to set the record straight. Jim Powers states, "As a deer antler product manufacturer, we are very happy to see that WADA has reaffirmed that deer antler is not a banned substance. This should finally lie to rest the concerns of all athletes that want to experience the benefits of high quality real deer antler extract."
Three-time major winner Vijay Singh filed a memorandum with the New York State Supreme Court, accusing PGA Tour officials of subjecting him to "absurd" and "unfair" treatment by ignoring the use of deer antler spray by five other professional golfers and then lying to the public by "characterizing Singh as a cheater who caught a break."
Vijay Singh asked a New York court Tuesday May 31 2016 for partial summary judgment* on his allegations that the PGA Tour rashly suspended him for using purportedly illicit deer antler spray, arguing that the leading anti-doping authority had not banned the substance and that other golfers used it without punishment.
Back in 2013, the PGA Tour moved to suspend Hall of Fame golfer Vijay Singh for his use of deer antler spray supplements. Deer antler spray contains trace amounts of the growth hormone IGF-1, one of the substances on the organization's list of banned performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Shortly thereafter, the Tour repealed the suspension.
Singh sued the Tour for defamation, saying that the suspension attempt severely damaged his reputation and caused him to lose a lucrative sponsorship deal with Cleveland Golf, with which he had had a long-term endorsement contract. Settlement negotiations are in progress, but the case may move to trial if an agreement cannot be reached. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) maintains a comprehensive listing of which products are considered PEDs and which are considered safe. Since as early as 2013, deer antler spray has not been on the organization's banned substance list.
One deer antler extract manufacturer, the Trainers' Elite Network, or TEN Institute, goes so far as to have their deer antler spray products tested by an outside organization to determine if they contained any PEDs. The answer is a resounding "no." The reputable ChromaDex Laboratory in Boulder, CO conducted the tests and ensured that the products do not violate any WADA regulations and are safe for athletes to use without fear of repercussions from their respective leagues.
Deer antler extract is touted for its ability to naturally boost endurance and aid muscular development, but not to the extent that would qualify it as a PED. In addition, the substance is purported to boost metabolism and promote weight loss. It is also linked to an improved quality of sleep, cardiovascular function, and joint health.
Not all deer antler spray manufacturers test their products as rigorously as the TEN Institute, so professional athletes must take care in the products that they choose. In addition to the primary ingredient, many of these supplements may still contain other ingredients that are classified as PEDs.
*May 31, 2016 Vijay Singh v. PGA Tour Inc., case No. 651659/2013, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York
SOURCE: TEN Institute