Home Supplements That Start With D Deer Placenta: Top Benefits, Proven Results, Dosage, and Side Effects

Deer Placenta: Top Benefits, Proven Results, Dosage, and Side Effects

August 28, 2025 Modified date: August 28, 2025

Deer placenta supplements are promoted for skin rejuvenation, energy, and “youthful vitality.” They are typically made by freeze-drying or extracting placental tissue—most often from red deer—and formulating it as capsules, powders, or topical products. Placenta naturally contains proteins, amino acids, and growth-factor–like compounds, which gives a plausible biological rationale for skin support. However, rigorous human data on deer placenta itself are scarce; most clinical research to date involves porcine (pig) or human placental extracts and often focuses on skin hydration or wound healing. This guide explains what deer placenta is, what evidence exists (and does not), how to think about quality and dosing, who should avoid it, and where safer or better-supported alternatives may fit—so you can make an informed, practical decision rather than relying on hype.

Essential Insights for Deer Placenta Users

May improve skin hydration and elasticity based on small trials of porcine placenta; direct human evidence for deer placenta is very limited.
Safety caveat: animal-derived supplements pose theoretical infectious and allergenic risks; choose documented, disease-free sourcing and avoid during pregnancy or lactation.
Research-tested oral dose elsewhere: 200 mg/day of porcine placenta extract for 4 weeks; no validated human dose for deer placenta.
Avoid if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have hormone-sensitive conditions, or are subject to anti-doping rules (growth-factor content may be problematic).

What is deer placenta?
Benefits and what is known
How to choose and use it
Dosage and timing guidance
Safety, side effects, and who should avoid
Evidence snapshot and research gaps

What is deer placenta?

Deer placenta is a dietary supplement derived from the placenta of cervids (commonly red deer). Manufacturers typically use freeze-drying (lyophilization) to preserve proteins and amino acids, or they prepare water/alcohol extracts that concentrate small peptides and growth-factor–like molecules. Finished products appear as capsules, tablets, powders, or topical serums; some brands blend deer placenta with collagen, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, coenzyme Q10, or botanical extracts to align with “beauty-from-within” claims.

Placenta is a nutrient-rich, transient organ that supports fetal development. In mammals, it contains diverse components—structural proteins, amino acids, glycosaminoglycans, minerals, and signaling molecules (e.g., epidermal growth factor [EGF], fibroblast growth factor [FGF], insulin-like growth factor [IGF] families, transforming growth factor beta [TGF-β]). Laboratory work comparing deer, goat, and porcine placentas has reported detectable levels of growth-factor–like proteins and cell-supportive activity in vitro. Such findings underpin claims that placental extracts could stimulate dermal fibroblast function, collagen synthesis, or skin repair processes. Still, these are mechanistic signals rather than clinical outcomes.

Sourcing matters. Most reputable deer placenta supplements emphasize traceability and veterinary oversight. Some producers specify country of origin (for example, New Zealand red deer) because authorities there maintain a public position on chronic wasting disease (CWD) in cervids and note that New Zealand remains free of CWD. Clear documentation of origin and health status is one practical quality marker to look for when considering any cervid-derived product.

Finally, it is important to distinguish deer placenta from other “placental” products. The best human studies of oral placenta for skin involve porcine placenta extracts, not deer. Human placental extracts are used medically in some countries but are regulated as drugs, not supplements. This difference in evidence and regulation should temper expectations when assessing deer placenta capsules marketed online.

Benefits and what is known

Marketing highlights three main benefits: skin support (hydration, elasticity, fine lines), recovery and vitality (energy, exercise performance, sleep), and female wellness (menopausal comfort, hormonal balance). Here’s what current evidence actually suggests:

Skin hydration and elasticity

The strongest modern data for orally ingested placental material come from a small, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which healthy women took 200 mg/day of porcine placenta extract for 4 weeks during winter. The supplement group showed improvements in select skin parameters compared with placebo. While encouraging, this study is limited by short duration, small sample size, and the use of porcine—not deer—placenta.
In preclinical and formulation research, deer, goat, and porcine placental extracts have shown growth-factor–like activity in skin cells and have been formulated into microneedle patches with favorable delivery characteristics and acceptable short-term skin safety in volunteers. Again, these data are mechanistic and product-specific (topical delivery), not proof that oral deer placenta capsules rejuvenate skin.

Wound healing and skin regeneration

Laboratory and animal studies report that placental components can promote fibroblast proliferation, cell migration, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix production—processes relevant to wound healing. Limited human data exist for topical placental extracts in wound care. None of this demonstrates equivalence for oral deer placenta supplements.

Vitality, mood, or exercise recovery

Claims about energy, stamina, or sleep are not supported by robust deer placenta trials. Some animal and exploratory human work with other placental sources hint at immune or anti-fatigue effects, but these findings are preliminary and do not establish consistent benefits for deer placenta users.

Female wellness and hormones

Placental tissue naturally contains hormone-related molecules. However, commercial extracts are processed, and the actual amount of bioactive hormones in finished supplements is typically low and highly variable. There are no high-quality deer placenta trials validating hormone balance or menopausal symptom relief. If menopausal skin or comfort is your goal, better-studied options (dermatologic topicals, collagen peptides, ceramides, or evidence-based menopausal therapies) have clearer support.

Bottom line: There is a biologically plausible mechanism for skin support, small but positive clinical signals for porcine placenta at 200 mg/day over 4 weeks, and preclinical activity for deer placenta in skin models. Direct, adequately powered human trials of oral deer placenta are still missing. Treat claims accordingly.

How to choose and use it

If you decide to try deer placenta after weighing the uncertainties, use a quality-first approach and set measured expectations.

What to look for on labels

Species and source: Prefer products that specify “red deer (Cervus elaphus)” and clearly state the country of origin and farm/veterinary oversight. Documentation of sourcing from countries free of chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a practical safeguard.
Manufacturing method: Freeze-dried (lyophilized) or water-extracted processes and lot-specific testing for heavy metals and microbial contaminants. A certificate of analysis (COA) from an accredited lab is ideal.
Standardization: Few products standardize to a verified marker. When present (e.g., total peptides or protein content), it helps track consistency between lots.
Additives and blends: Many formulas add collagen, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, zinc, or botanicals. Remember that any skin benefit may come from these co-ingredients rather than deer placenta itself.

How to integrate it (if you proceed)

Goals and timeframe: For skin, any nutraceutical trial should be at least 4–8 weeks to fairly assess hydration/elasticity changes through seasonal variability. Take before-and-after photos under the same lighting, and monitor a few simple metrics (skin dryness score, perceived firmness).
Stacking with topicals: Pair internal trials with proven topical strategies (broad-spectrum sunscreen daily; a retinoid at night if tolerated; moisturizer with ceramides or glycerin). This improves outcomes while controlling expectations about what any one capsule can do.
Lifestyle context: Sleep, UV exposure, smoking status, and protein intake strongly influence skin quality. If these are off track, supplements are unlikely to compensate.

Special considerations for athletes

Some deer placenta materials and marketing emphasize “growth factors.” Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and several growth factors are prohibited in sport at all times. While a typical over-the-counter supplement is unlikely to contain pharmacologic amounts, athletes under anti-doping rules should avoid any product that purports to deliver growth factors.

When to skip it entirely

Pregnant or breastfeeding people; those with hormone-sensitive conditions; anyone with a history of severe allergies to animal proteins; and individuals without reliable product sourcing or COA access.

Dosage and timing guidance

There is no validated, evidence-based oral dose for deer placenta in humans. Most retail deer placenta capsules cluster between a few hundred milligrams and 1 g/day of freeze-dried material, but those numbers come from marketing rather than clinical trials. What we can state with confidence:

Research-tested comparator: A randomized, double-blind trial of porcine placenta extract in healthy adult women used 200 mg/day for 4 weeks during a dry winter period and reported improvements in several skin measures versus placebo. That dose was specific to a porcine extract with defined processing and quality controls; it cannot be assumed equivalent to deer placenta from different manufacturers.
Topical/formulation data: Experimental microneedle patches have delivered placental extracts (including deer) directly into skin with acceptable short-term safety in supervised settings. These results do not translate to oral dosing guidance.

If you still choose to self-experiment with deer placenta:

Start low for 2 weeks (e.g., one capsule providing 250–300 mg/day of deer placenta material if that is the labeled amount); 2) Increase only if tolerated and if you plan a finite trial window (4–8 weeks), recognizing that any perceived benefit could be due to co-ingredients; 3) Avoid stacking with other animal-derived glandulars; 4) Stop if you experience rash, itching, digestive upset, or hormonal symptoms (breast tenderness, irregular bleeding).

Timing tips

Take with food if you notice nausea on an empty stomach.
For skin-focused trials, consistency (daily intake, same skincare regimen, sun protection) matters more than time of day.
Reassess at the 4–8 week mark. If you see no change, discontinue rather than escalating dose.

Important: Because deer placenta lacks a standardized, clinically tested oral dose, any use is exploratory. People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to conceive, managing hormone-sensitive conditions, or governed by anti-doping rules should not use deer placenta supplements.

Safety, side effects, and who should avoid

Allergic reactions and intolerance

Deer placenta is an animal-derived protein source. The most immediate risks are allergy (rash, hives, itching), urticaria, or gastrointestinal upset. Individuals with known allergies to animal proteins should avoid it.

Hormone-related concerns

Raw placental tissue contains hormone-related molecules. Commercial extracts are processed and typically contain low, variable amounts, but data are sparse. People with hormone-sensitive conditions (e.g., certain cancers, endometriosis, uterine fibroids) or those on hormone therapies should avoid deer placenta unless a clinician specifically advises otherwise.

Infectious risks (theoretical but important)

Cervids can develop chronic wasting disease (CWD), a prion disorder. Research has detected prion seeding activity in fetal tissues from CWD-positive white-tailed deer, underscoring a theoretical risk if placental material were sourced from affected populations. Although there are no confirmed human cases from supplements and some countries (e.g., New Zealand) report CWD-free status, prudent sourcing and documentation are essential. Avoid products without clear origin, farm health status, and processing controls.

Anti-doping issues

Growth factors such as IGF-1 are prohibited in sport at all times under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List. While typical supplements are unlikely to contain pharmacologic growth-factor doses, athletes under testing should avoid any product marketed for growth-factor content to prevent inadvertent rule violations and reduce analytical uncertainty.

Drug interactions

There are no well-characterized drug–supplement interactions for deer placenta. Still, those on anticoagulants, immunosuppressants, or hormone therapies should avoid use due to theoretical risks and the lack of robust safety data.

Who should not use deer placenta

Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals (insufficient safety data).
Those with hormone-sensitive conditions or a history of estrogen-responsive cancers.
People with severe food allergies, especially to animal proteins.
Children and adolescents.
Competitive athletes subject to anti-doping rules.
Anyone unable to verify safe, disease-free sourcing and quality testing.

Stop and seek medical advice if you notice unusual bleeding, menstrual irregularities, persistent skin rashes, breathing difficulty, or signs of an allergic reaction.

Evidence snapshot and research gaps

What we have

A small, placebo-controlled human trial showing that 200 mg/day of porcine placenta extract for 4 weeks improved specific skin parameters in middle-aged women during winter dryness. This suggests that certain processed placental extracts can affect skin hydration/elasticity over a short window.
Laboratory and early translational work comparing deer, goat, and porcine placentas demonstrates growth-factor–like proteins and favorable effects on dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes. A microneedle delivery format showed acceptable short-term skin safety in volunteers. These findings support biological plausibility, particularly for topical or transdermal delivery.

What we lack

Direct, adequately powered randomized trials of oral deer placenta measuring clinically relevant outcomes (objective skin hydration, elasticity, wrinkles) over longer periods (8–12+ weeks) with transparent standardization and safety monitoring.
Dose-ranging studies for deer placenta defining minimal effective dose, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetics.
Rigorous safety work addressing allergenicity, endocrine effects, and long-term use—especially in diverse populations or those on common medications.

Risk context and sourcing

Theoretical prion risk from cervid tissues highlights the need for transparent sourcing, veterinary oversight, and country-of-origin documentation. Government sources indicate some regions are CWD-free; products sourced there, processed under strict controls, and supported by batch testing are preferable when compared with undocumented imports or multi-ingredient blends with unclear provenance.

Practical takeaway

If your primary goal is skin quality, start with interventions that carry stronger evidence and safety profiles: daily sunscreen; a retinoid; moisturizers with ceramides, glycerin, or urea; and, internally, collagen peptides or ceramides that have multiple RCTs behind them. Deer placenta remains a niche option with mechanistic promise but insufficient human evidence; any benefits you experience could stem from co-ingredients or placebo. Treat it as an experiment, not a guaranteed solution.

References

Disclaimer

This article is for general information and education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk with a qualified health professional about your specific health needs, medications, and supplements before starting, stopping, or changing any regimen—especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, managing a medical condition, or subject to anti-doping rules. If you experience adverse effects, stop use and seek medical care.

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