Tudca Benefits Explained: What It Is & How It Can Help

What Is TUDCA?

Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) may sound complex, but it is a naturally occurring compound found in our bodies that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. It is a derivative of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a bile acid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. 

Bile acids play a key role in digestion, particularly in the breakdown of fats. However, despite TUDCA's long history with traditional medicine, modern medicine has recently uncovered its potential to improve various aspects of health, from liver function to overall inflammation management.¹

What Does TUDCA Do?

At its core, TUDCA helps reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. It achieves this by inhibiting the release of certain inflammatory proteins called cytokines, which are involved in the body's immune response.¹ These cytokines are usually produced in response to infection or injury, but when released in excess, they can contribute to chronic inflammation, leading to a wide range of health problems.

By keeping inflammation in check, TUDCA may help protect against several serious health issues. These include liver disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders (such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's), and obesity.¹

TUDCA’s Health Benefits

Liver Health

When it comes to supporting liver health, TUDCA may have the edge over UDCA. According to research published in the Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, TUDCA is absorbed more effectively, therefore leading to stronger benefits.²

Here’s how the numbers play out:

• Liver Enzymes: ALT, AST, and ALP—important markers of liver stress—dropped significantly with TUDCA, by about 43%, 46%, and 38%. In comparison, the UDCA group only saw reductions of about 25%, 31%, and 9%.² Lower enzyme levels mean your liver is under less stress and functioning better overall. 
• Albumin Levels: Albumin, a key protein made by the liver that supports fluid balance and overall health, increased by 17% in the TUDCA group, compared to just 10% in the UDCA group.² A higher albumin level signals a healthier, more efficient liver.

The takeaway? TUDCA appears to be a stronger option for improving liver function and keeping things running smoothly. 

Heart Health

Reducing inflammation offers another advantage—it supports better heart function. TUDCA may promote heart health by several important mechanisms:

• Reducing Cellular Stress: TUDCA reduces stress on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a key part of heart cells. This helps restore electrolyte balance, preventing dysfunction and improving overall heart performance.³
• Protecting Mitochondria: By safeguarding mitochondria (the powerhouses of cells), TUDCA prevents damage that can weaken the heart and may even reduce tissue injury caused by heart attacks.³
• Preventing Harmful Buildups: TUDCA may also fight cardiovascular risks by reducing harmful LDL cholesterol deposits in blood vessels as well as preventing calcium buildup on heart valves and slowing the thickening of blood vessel walls.³

With its ability to reduce cellular stress, protect mitochondria, and prevent harmful buildups, TUDCA may offer a promising option for keeping your heart healthy and strong.

Obesity & Glucose Metabolism

Preliminary studies in mice suggest that TUDCA might play a role in promoting healthy weight and better blood sugar control. Research published in Food Research International found that TUDCA reduced overall body fat, improved the body’s ability to manage glucose, and increased insulin sensitivity in mice fed a high-fat diet. It appears to work by improving how insulin is produced and used in the body, helping muscles and fat tissues respond better to insulin while lowering specific liver enzymes linked to blood sugar regulation.⁴

While these findings are promising, further research in humans is needed to confirm these benefits.

Synergistic Supplements To Take With Tudca

Combining TUDCA with other supplements might help enhance its benefits. This "synergistic effect" means that stacking TUDCA with complementary supplements could potentially amplify its positive impact on your health.

• Choline: Combining TUDCA with Choline Bitartrate, a key nutrient involved in fat metabolism, supports liver function by helping to reduce fat buildup in the liver. This synergistic combination improves liver health by enhancing bile production and supporting fat metabolism, both of which are critical for detoxification and overall liver function.⁵
• Creatine and CoQ10: Creatine supports brain health by providing energy to brain cells, helping maintain their function and resilience, especially under stress. CoQ10 acts as a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce oxidative stress while improving energy production and helping prevent cell damage. A recent study found that while each supplement has individual benefits, combining them with TUDCA showed a stronger protective effect against brain cell damage and inflammation.⁶ The findings suggest that TUDCA, CoQ10, and creatine together could be a promising approach for future research into helping protect against Parkinson’s disease.⁶

Takeaway

TUDCA is a powerful supplement with benefits ranging from improved liver and heart health to potential neuroprotection and weight management. Its ability to reduce inflammation, enhance cell function, and work synergistically with other supplements makes it a versatile addition to many dietary supplement regimens.

References:

1. Kusaczuk M. Tauroursodeoxycholate-Bile Acid with Chaperoning Activity: Molecular and Cellular Effects and Therapeutic Perspectives. Cells. 2019 Nov 20;8(12):1471. doi: 10.3390/cells8121471. PMID: 31757001; PMCID: PMC6952947.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31757001/
2. Pan XL, Zhao L, Li L, Li AH, Ye J, Yang L, Xu KS, Hou XH. Efficacy and safety of tauroursodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of liver cirrhosis: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. J Huazhong Univ Sci Technolog Med Sci. 2013 Apr;33(2):189-194. doi: 10.1007/s11596-013-1095-x. Epub 2013 Apr 17. PMID: 23592128. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23592128/
3. Miki T, Miura T, Hotta H, Tanno M, Yano T, Sato T, Terashima Y, Takada A, Ishikawa S, Shimamoto K. Endoplasmic reticulum stress in diabetic hearts abolishes erythropoietin-induced myocardial protection by impairment of phospho-glycogen synthase kinase-3beta-mediated suppression of mitochondrial permeability transition. Diabetes. 2009 Dec;58(12):2863-72. doi: 10.2337/db09-0158. Epub 2009 Sep 15. PMID: 19755525; PMCID: PMC2780889. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2780889/
4. Dos Reis Araujo T, Roberta Rodrigues Muniz M, Lourençoni Alves B, Monali Barreto Dos Santos L, Fernandes Bonfim M, Alves da Silva Junior J, Franciesco Vettorazzi J, Cesar Zoppi C, Magalhães Carneiro E. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid improves glucose tolerance and reduces adiposity in normal protein and malnourished mice fed a high-fat diet. Food Res Int. 2022 Jun;156:111331. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111331. Epub 2022 May 6. PMID: 35651081. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35651081/
5. Yu D, Shu XO, Xiang YB, Li H, Yang G, Gao YT, Zheng W, Zhang X. Higher dietary choline intake is associated with lower risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver in normal-weight Chinese women. J Nutr. 2014 Dec;144(12):2034-40. doi: 10.3945/jn.114.197533. Epub 2014 Oct 15. PMID: 25320186; PMCID: PMC4230213. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25320186/
6. Shtilbans A, Reintsch WE, Piscopo VEC, Krahn AI, Durcan TM. Combination of tauroursodeoxycholic acid, co-enzyme Q10 and creatine demonstrates additive neuroprotective effects in in-vitro models of Parkinson's disease. Front Neurosci. 2024 Dec 23;18:1492028. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1492028. PMID: 39764390; PMCID: PMC11701167. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39764390/