TUDCA Supplements: Benefits, Side Effects, and How to Use

TUDCA, or Tauroursodeoxycholic acid, is a bile acid that has recently gained attention for its possible health benefits. Research is showing that TUDCA might help with liver support and protecting cells. It is often used for specific health issues and should be taken with medical advice as part of a personalized health plan, especially for long-term or ongoing conditions. This article gives an overview of TUDCA, including its uses, effects, and supporting evidence.

What are TUDCA supplements?

TUDCA is a water-soluble derivative of a bile acid called ursodeoxycholic acid (also known as UDCA), which is found naturally in very small amounts within the human body. When bile salts reach the intestines, they can be metabolized into ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA); TUDCA is produced when taurine binds to this UDCA.

TUDCA is most commonly used as a supplement in support of liver function and gallbladder health, as it is proposed to promote bile flow and protect our liver cells from damage. TUDCA supplementation is proposed to be mostly beneficial in distinct situations, including conditions that involve the buildup of bile acid or liver stress, such as fatty liver disease or liver inflammation.

Types of TUDCA supplements

There are a wide array of different types of TUDCA supplements readily available.

Capsules or tablets make up the most commonly available supplement, with precise dosing in a convenient-to-use format. Somewhat less common, liquid TUDCA can be used by individuals who may have difficulty swallowing. However, precise dosing can be more challenging with liquid supplements, making it harder to maintain consistency.

TUDCA blends are supplements that include additional ingredients like taurine, milk thistle, or phosphatidylcholine. These ingredients are added to support liver health and enhance the potential benefits by targeting different pathways.

Other formulations include TUDCA with antioxidants, such as vitamin C, particularly beneficial if you are taking the TUDCA supplement for its proposed cellular health benefits; and TUDCA combined with probiotics provides another formulation, which has the added potential benefit of improving gut health.

Different TUDCA supplement formulations may offer various benefits, so choose one based on your specific health goals. For the best results, select a reputable brand with a product free from unnecessary additives and with evidence of third-party testing.

Reviewing the potential benefits of TUDCA supplements

TUDCA is being studied in various fields, with additional proposed benefits including its potential neuroprotective properties and the enhancement of cellular health. Although it shows promise for overall health, its broader applications remain under investigation — more extensive, long-term, human studies and randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm any additional benefits.

• Liver health. TUDCA is most commonly acknowledged for its liver-protective qualities and is investigated for its potential to help treat certain liver diseases such as cirrhosis or hepatitis due to its ability to promote bile flow and reduce liver enzyme levels.
• Cellular protection. TUDCA is thought to have cell-protective properties, reducing oxidative stress and preventing cell death, and comes under continual investigation for its proposed therapeutic benefits in relation to a number of diseases in which cell death or damage is a predisposing factor.
• Neuroprotection. Some studies suggest TUDCA may help protect neurons, benefits of which are proposed to be suitable in some neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.
• Metabolic health. TUDCA may have beneficial effects on the metabolic system, including improved insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, potentially helpful when managing conditions such as diabetes.
• Eye health. Research has explored TUDCA’s role in preventing retinal degeneration and protecting vision, with promising results and ongoing investigation.

Side effects of TUDCA supplements

TUDCA supplements are generally considered safe, with side effects limited mainly to nausea, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea.

According to a retrospective population-based cohort study, TUDCA was well-tolerated; a small number of patients discontinued treatment due to mild side effects, primarily gastrointestinal.

A Cochrane meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials in liver-transplanted patients reported that bile acids including TUDCA were safe and well-tolerated.

However, introducing a new supplement into your regime always comes with an element of risk, and the long-term safety and potential side effects of TUDCA remain under investigation.

The effectiveness of TUDCA supplements: do they work?

TUDCA supplements are generally regarded as effective by users, particularly for their use in promoting liver health. However, their use is not recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for general liver health in otherwise healthy individuals.

Preliminary research shows that TUDCA helps reduce liver enzymes and improve bile flow, making it potentially useful for conditions like cholestasis and fatty liver disease, but the lack of large-scale, long-term clinical trials limits official endorsement.

The best available research evidence concludes its effects on both liver function and cellular health; however, such uses are generally examined within controlled medical environments, and for patients with pre-existing medical conditions. More research is needed to determine the efficacy of TUDCA for broader proposed health benefits including eye health and neuroprotective effects.

Alternatives of TUDCA supplements

There are alternative products, such as natural remedies, which could be used as an alternative to TUDCA supplements; however, this depends entirely on the specific reason for use.

Generally speaking, UDCA is the closest alternative to TUDCA. Still, TUDCA is better absorbed by the intestine and liver due to being fully ionized and water-soluble, and there is research that suggests that TUDCA may be more effective in certain situations, such as liver support and cellular health.

If you are looking for liver protection, milk thistle is a popular herbal remedy known for its potential liver-support properties, while vitamins B, C, D, and E have all been shown to help the liver in different ways. If you want to stimulate bile production and improve digestion, artichoke extract may provide some benefit. If you are looking to support your metabolic health, berberine may help regulate blood sugar and support fat metabolism.

How to choose the best TUDCA supplements?

Before picking a TUDCA supplement, you should consider these key criteria to make sure you're getting the right product for your personal needs.

• Ingredient quality. Look for supplements that contain high-quality TUDCA without unnecessary additives or fillers.
• Third-party testing. Make sure the product has undergone third-party testing. This independent verification helps ensure the supplement’s quality.
• Provider reputation. Look for brands that are known for their commitment to quality, production safety, and customer satisfaction.
• Customer reviews. Pay attention to user feedback on brand websites for customer experience insights.
• Ingredient transparency. Look for brands with products that list all their ingredients on the product label, including additives or fillers.
• Price. Consider your financial constraints, dosage and delivery cost.

📝Healthnews editor's top picks

Discover the best TUDCA supplements on the market reviewed by the Healthnews research team.

Double Wood — overall best TUDCA brand

• Gluten-free
• Minimal additives
• GMP-certified
• Free U.S. shipping

Try Double Wood now

We believe the product's GMP-certified, third-party-tested formulation with minimal additives makes it a great choice for those with dietary sensitivities. The 500 mg dose per serving provides an option that may provide liver support, though the price per serving is on the higher side.

BulkSupplements — best budget-friendly TUDCA supplement

• Offers more servings per container
• ISO-certified
• Sugar and dairy-free
• 30-day return policy

Try Bulk Supplements now

In our opinion, BulkSupplements offers a budget-friendly option without compromising on quality, thanks to its ISO certification and third-party testing. This minimal formula, free of common allergens and unnecessary additives, could be a solid choice for individuals with dietary restrictions. However, free shipping is limited to certain regions, which might be a drawback for some buyers.

Nature's Craft — the best TUDCA supplement that is gelatin-free

• Gelatin-free capsules
• 100% money-back guarantee
• Free shipping on orders above $30

Try Nature's Craft now

We believe Nature's Crafts could be a great choice for vegetarians. Its allergen disclosure is a responsible touch, ensuring users are well-informed about potential sensitivities. The product's price and the 100% money-back guarantee add to its appeal, although the presence of common allergens might limit its suitability to users.

Diving into the latest research on TUDCA supplements

The most commonly researched area regarding TUDCA use is that of liver support, with several preliminary research studies confirming its promising effects in a range of liver conditions and diseases, including liver cirrhosis, primary biliary cholangitis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. These studies have identified that TUDCA may lower serum liver enzymes — markers of liver inflammation.

According to one animal study, TUDCA supplementation can reduce the absorption and production of lipids in the small intestine, which helps prevent the formation of gallstones.

Maintaining mitochondrial integrity (cell health) is vital for energy production. An in vitro (lab-based) study published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications demonstrated that TUDCA can protect mitochondrial health by preventing damage to the mitochondrial membrane caused by a specific protein that is linked to Alzheimer's disease. Further research in this area expands on the potential neuroprotective role of TUDCA to a synaptic level.

TUDCA is discussed as a potential therapeutic agent for a range of conditions and diseases in which cell death is a predominant characteristic, such as obesity, stroke, acute myocardial infarction, and spinal cord injury.

One pilot study found that TUDCA might be a useful addition to the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The ongoing TUDCA-ALS study, a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized phase III trial, aims to confirm if TUDCA can be an effective add-on therapy for ALS.

Alternative and more recently identified uses include eye health, with an additional animal study confirming that TUDCA may be used as a novel therapeutic agent for preventing vision loss in diseases that are characterized by photoreceptor detachment.

However, while these studies show potential for TUDCA’s application in a variety of health conditions and contexts, much of the research is still in the early stages, particularly those involving neuroprotection and eye health. Many of the findings, especially those from animal studies or in vitro research, need to be confirmed through larger, well-designed, human clinical trials.