TUDCA is quickly advancing as a front-runner among many supplements due to its tremendous potential benefits. These include liver health, brain health, cellular and mitochondria support, and more.
Before you get your hands on any of the best TUDCA supplements out there, it’s best to understand what these supplements can do for your body and learn about the risks related to their use.
In this article, we will discuss and explore the potential uses, benefits, and side effects of this extraordinary bile acid.
What is TUDCA?
This potential ingredient is tauroursodeoxycholic acid or TUDCA. It’s a bile acid derivative that naturally occurs in our body.
TUDCA has been therapeutically used in traditional Chinese medicine for millennia, and they use it mainly for biliary and hepatic disorders.
Our body only makes small amounts of this health-giving compound, but it’s essential to know that this bile salt influences many bodily functions.
For ages, traditional Chinese medical practitioners have had a lot of knowledge of the benefits of TUDCA. They prescribe TUDCA for various conditions, such as helping detoxify the liver and treating illnesses such as spasms, fever, and vision problems.
Having recently earned the scientific spotlight, it is the subject of many clinical studies that are being conducted by scientists, exploring its potential health benefits.
Another exciting thing to know about TUDCA is that bears produce large amounts of TUDCA in their bodies. Scientists believe that it may help them hibernate for so long in the winter.
What Is TUDCA Used For?
When taurine binds ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), this forms TUDCA.
TUDCA is great for treating cholestasis; it’s a condition wherein the bile fails to flow from the liver to the duodenum. It is also helpful for treating cholesterol gallstones as it can help to dissolve them into a smaller size that can be more easily passed [1].
Numerous laboratory studies conducted have found that it may be promising for neuroprotection and potentially for Alzheimer’s Disease therapy. That said, the evidence for this research is currently based on preclinical work.
Benefits of TUDCA
This bile acid is well-known for its potential benefits as a supplement for treating various diseases.
Before you shop around for the best TUDCA supplements on the market, let’s learn more about the possible health benefits of taking TUDCA.
1. Liver Disease
A randomized controlled trial shows that taking TUDCA improves liver function in patients who have liver cirrhosis, cholestasis, and HCV-related chronic hepatitis. These studies show that TUDCA significantly lowers the serum liver enzymes that are markers of liver inflammation. The effects of TUDCA on cholestasis are also promising and strong [2],[3],[4]. Cholestasis refers to a significant reduction or stagnation in the flow and secretion of bile.
2. Insulin Sensitivity
One randomized controlled trial included 20 obese men and women who had insulin resistance and took TUDCA treatment for about 1750mg/day for 4 weeks. This resulted in a 30% increase in insulin sensitivity in the muscle and liver. TUDCA might be an effective pharmacological approach to treating insulin resistance, but additional studies are needed [5].
Moreover, it’s also important to know that the specific cellular mechanisms responsible for the increased insulin sensitivity remain unclear. It is also not known whether TUDCA is protective in healthy adults who don’t have insulin resistance.
3. Decreases Cholesterol
A study that was conducted in 2001 found that people who were supplemented with either 1000mg or 1500mg of TUDCA daily for about six months experienced drastically lowered total cholesterol levels [6].
4. Neurodegenerative Disorders
A lot of studies have shown that supplementing with TUDCA daily may offer neuro-protective benefits for some specific conditions.
A particular study demonstrated that TUDCA provides an amazing protective effect against a toxin that induces Huntington’s Disease. This is a rare and inherited condition that involves the gradual degeneration of nerve cells in the brain.
Another study showed that TUDCA may help with Alzheimer’s by preventing beta-amyloid-induced cell death in the brain. Lastly, two studies demonstrated that TUDCA has neuroprotective effects against stroke and other neurological injuries [7],[8],[9]
Side Effects of TUDCA
This supplement is generally considered safe when taken within the recommended dosage. However, there are still some risks linked to consuming TUDCA.
The most common side effect of taking TUDCA is diarrhea. It has been reported that the daily consumption of TUDCA at 1,000 and 1,500mg may cause diarrhea [10].
Listed below are the other side effects that are known to occur:
- Gastrointestinal Issues
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Skin Issues
- Hair Thinning
There is limited research on TUDCA supplementation for pregnant and nursing women. Thus, it’s best for them to avoid it.
If you have underlying medical conditions, it’s best to speak to your doctor before taking TUDCA, as it may interact with other medications.
How to Take TUDCA
TUDCA is not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration but UDCA is approved for people with biliary cirrhosis. But thanks to research, there is somewhat of a guide to follow when deciding what dose of TUDCA to take.
For those who want to improve their liver/bile function, a 15-20mg/kg dose of TUDCA is recommended. People who may want to improve their muscle and liver sensitivity may opt for a daily dosage as high as 1,750 mg [12][13].
It’s important to note that there is no concrete medical evidence supporting the use of TUDCA supplements to cure, prevent, and treat diseases.
What Does TUDCA Taste Like?
When taking this supplement in powder form, you may notice a salty and bitter taste. Of course, you can buy most supplements in capsules.
When Should I Take TUDCA?
You can take it anytime. However, it’s generally recommended that you consume TUDCA supplements with food to promote better absorption of this supplement into your body. This may also reduce the risk of gastrointestinal-related side effects.
What Improvements May I Notice?
You may notice the following health improvements and benefits from taking TUDCA supplements:
- Improved food tolerance
- Improved energy
- Better skin complexion
- Improved liver function
- Reduced dark circles under the eyes
- Improved fat absorption and digestion
How Long Does TUDCA Take to Work?
TUDCA does not show any immediate or quick-acting benefits. That said, taking it daily may help you reap its benefits faster. For best results, you may take this supplement consistently for the long term after consulting your healthcare professional.
Is TUDCA Safe?
TUDCA is generally safe for many people. It usually causes mild to no side effects in most individuals.
Dosage of TUDCA
TUDCA is available as a dietary supplement usually in capsule form.
For lowering enzyme levels, 1500 mg was the most effective, but studies have found that 500 mg was the most cost-effective [14]. Another study suggested that taking 60 mg/kg/day is a tolerable dose for humans [15]. For healthy obese persons, taking 1,750 mg per day for four weeks has been tolerated by most [16].
If you’re a bodybuilder taking steroids or SARMS, use TUDCA during bulking cycles. Typically, liver enzyme tests are done to see how the drugs you’ve taken are affecting your liver. If not, always pay attention to your urine, the darker the color of your urine is, the more concerned you should be with liver rehab.
TUDCA vs. Milk Thistle
Milk thistle which is scientifically called Silybaum marianum is a flowering herb that is related to the ragweed and daisy family. This herb is native to Mediterranean countries. Both of them share significant benefits in protecting the liver and brain. There is an active compound in milk thistle that also works like TUDCA which is called Silymarins.
With that being said, both of them greatly benefit the liver and work in different ways. There is nothing wrong with taking them both.
Bottomline: TUDCA Benefits, Side Effects, and Uses
TUDCA is a derivative of the natural bile fluid produced by our liver. We only make it in small quantities.
Based on the studies that were conducted, TUDCA as a supplement could offer a lot of potential benefits for the liver, nervous system, and brain. However, more research is needed to study its effect on the human body.
Keep in mind that it’s best to consult your healthcare provider for accurate medical information and recommendations before taking any supplements, including TUDCA.
Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your own healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional.
Editorial References And Fact-Checking
- Lu, Q., Jiang, Z., Wang, Q., Hu, H., & Zhao, G. (2021). The effect of Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) and gut microbiota on murine gallbladder stone formation. Annals of hepatology, 23, 100289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aohep.2020.100289
- Pan, X. L., Zhao, L., Li, L., Li, A. H., Ye, J., Yang, L., Xu, K. S., & Hou, X. H. (2013). Efficacy and safety of tauroursodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of liver cirrhosis: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Medical sciences = Hua zhong ke ji da xue xue bao. Yi xue Ying De wen ban = Huazhong keji daxue xuebao. Yixue Yingdewen ban, 33(2), 189–194. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-013-1095-x
- Crosignani, A., Budillon, G., Cimino, L., Del Vecchio Blanco, C., Loguercio, C., Ideo, G., Raimondo, G., Stabilini, R., & Podda, M. (1998). Tauroursodeoxycholic acid for the treatment of HCV-related chronic hepatitis: a multicenter placebo-controlled study. Hepato-gastroenterology, 45(23), 1624–1629.
- Ma, H., Zeng, M., Han, Y., Yan, H., Tang, H., Sheng, J., Hu, H., Cheng, L., Xie, Q., Zhu, Y., Chen, G., Gao, Z., Xie, W., Wang, J., Wu, S., Wang, G., Miao, X., Fu, X., Duan, L., Xu, J., … Jia, J. (2016). A multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial comparing the efficacy and safety of TUDCA and UDCA in Chinese patients with primary biliary cholangitis. Medicine, 95(47), e5391. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000005391
- Kars, M., Yang, L., Gregor, M. F., Mohammed, B. S., Pietka, T. A., Finck, B. N., Patterson, B. W., Horton, J. D., Mittendorfer, B., Hotamisligil, G. S., & Klein, S. (2010). Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid may improve liver and muscle but not adipose tissue insulin sensitivity in obese men and women. Diabetes, 59(8), 1899–1905. https://doi.org/10.2337/db10-0308
- Crosignani, A., Battezzati, P. M., Setchell, K. D., Invernizzi, P., Covini, G., Zuin, M., & Podda, M. (1996). Tauroursodeoxycholic acid for treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis. A dose-response study. Digestive diseases and sciences, 41(4), 809–815. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02213140
- Keene, C. D., Rodrigues, C. M., Eich, T., Linehan-Stieers, C., Abt, A., Kren, B. T., Steer, C. J., & Low, W. C. (2001). A bile acid protects against motor and cognitive deficits and reduces striatal degeneration in the 3-nitropropionic acid model of Huntington’s disease. Experimental neurology, 171(2), 351–360. https://doi.org/10.1006/exnr.2001.7755
- Rodrigues, C. M., Solá, S., Silva, R., & Brites, D. (2000). Bilirubin and amyloid-beta peptide induce cytochrome c release through mitochondrial membrane permeabilization. Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.), 6(11), 936–946.
- Rodrigues, C. M., Sola, S., Nan, Z., Castro, R. E., Ribeiro, P. S., Low, W. C., & Steer, C. J. (2003). Tauroursodeoxycholic acid reduces apoptosis and protects against neurological injury after acute hemorrhagic stroke in rats. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 100(10), 6087–6092. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1031632100
- Setchell, K. D., Rodrigues, C. M., Podda, M., & Crosignani, A. (1996). Metabolism of orally administered tauroursodeoxycholic acid in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. Gut, 38(3), 439–446. https://doi.org/10.1136/gut.38.3.439
- Vandewynckel YP, Laukens D, Devisscher L, Paridaens A, Bogaerts E, Verhelst X, Van den Bussche A, Raevens S, Van Steenkiste C, Van Troys M, Ampe C, Descamps B, Vanhove C, Govaere O, Geerts A, Van Vlierberghe H. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid dampens oncogenic apoptosis induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress during hepatocarcinogen exposure. Oncotarget. 2015 Sep 29;6(29):28011-25. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.4377. PMID: 26293671; PMCID: PMC4695041.
- Kars, M., Yang, L., Gregor, M. F., Mohammed, B. S., Pietka, T. A., Finck, B. N., Patterson, B. W., Horton, J. D., Mittendorfer, B., Hotamisligil, G. S., & Klein, S. (2010). Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid may improve liver and muscle but not adipose tissue insulin sensitivity in obese men and women. Diabetes, 59(8), 1899–1905. https://doi.org/10.2337/db10-0308