TUDCAΒ is an acronym forΒ Tauroursodeoxycholic acid, which is a water-soluble bile acid.
TUDCA is mainly used for liver protection and overall cellular health. It's a bile acid that helps keep bile flowing properly and prevents toxic buildup in the liver. People often take it to reduce liver stress, especially if they have fatty liver disease, liver enzyme elevations, or are using substances that strain the liver, like certain medications or oral steroids.
Itβs also known for helping reduce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which can play a role in improving mitochondrial function and protecting cells from damage. Thereβs growing interest in TUDCA for its potential neuroprotective benefits too, with some early research looking at its role in neurodegenerative diseases.
In the fitness world, itβs commonly used during cycles of oral anabolic steroids to help protect liver function.
Bile FlowΒ β TUDCA helps remove whatβs jamming your liver bile duct from flowing. Some studies show that supplementing with TUDCA can help get bile moving up to 250% more! TUDCA increases bile release but it also improves the quality of the bile itself, directly benefiting your liver cells. There is a higher amount of the bile salts for the microbes in your intestines to create more of your own TUDCA.
Mitochondria In Your Liver TissueΒ β When your liver bile duct is blocked, your liver starts to die from the inside out on a cellular level. When your liver canβt dump its pollutants to be hauled away by your intestines, a masΒsive amount of free radicals are produced in your liver cells. The mitochondria of these liver cells are under attack from all the reactive oxygen species. It makes it impossible for them to do their job of folding proteins correctly. Liver cells are programmed to die once they canβt do their jobs effectively. TUDCA helps to mainΒtain the proper folding process, reduces free radicals, and stops your liver cells from programmed cell death.
Liver EnzymesΒ β When your liver is under high stress because of a blocked bile duct, your liver enzymes can elevate significantly. Another TUDCA benefit is lowering these liver enzymes. One study showed that even a modest TUDCA dose will lower your liver enzymes in as little as two months.
Liver Bile DuctΒ β Your liver releases ATP into bile when it is healthy. If your liver cells are dysfunctional, they canβt fill your bile with ATP, but TUDCA helps deliver ATP into the bile liquid. This is important because ATP in the bile gives your bile duct cells added protection and prevents them from becoming damaged or scarred as the liver dumps dangerous chemicals to be taken away by your stools
IntestinesΒ β If your liver bile duct isnβt working properly, your intestine function is going to be effected negaΒtively. Your blocked bile duct can lead to: intestinal inflammation, changed gene expression in the gut, leaky gut, altered gut microbiome, increased insulin resistance, damage and loss of microvilli. TUDCA has been researched and has been shown to help with all of these potential issues.