The liver is a vital organ with many functions, but it primarily supports digestion, metabolism, and detoxification. It processes nutrients from the food you eat, helps regulate blood sugar, and removes toxins.
The liver produces bile that helps digest fats and absorb fat-soluble vitamins. Once this bile hits the intestines, due to bacterial transformation, secondary bile acids are formed, including TUDCA. Let’s explore what TUDCA is and its effects on your body for liver support, digestive health, and detoxification.
What Is TUDCA?
TUDCA (Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid) is a bile salt that’s a naturally occurring water-soluble compound produced in the intestines. It’s a secondary bile acid, meaning it’s formed in the intestines through the bacterial transformation of primary bile acids like cholic acid, which are produced in the liver.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at this process:
- Primary Bile Acids: The liver synthesizes key bile acids like cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid
- Bile Release: Primary bile acids are fused with taurine or glycine and secreted into bile
- Intestinal Conversion: Once bile reaches the intestines, bacteria convert primary bile acids into secondary ones, including UDCA (Ursodeoxycholic Acid)
- TUDCA Formation: TUDCA is then formed when a taurine molecule is attached to UDCA
What Are TUDCA Used For?
TUDCA’s main benefit is its support for cellular health. It helps reduce cellular stress and decreases inflammatory pathways. Due to these effects, it has been studied and recognized for its benefits in addressing metabolic conditions, liver health, bile flow, and gut health.
1) Metabolic Conditions
It is hypothesized that TUDCA increases energy burn at a cellular level - which could influence insulin regulation. While the data is still not confirmed, one animal study induced an artificially high level of blood sugar into test subjects, and when treated with TUDCA, the subjects showed a 43% reduction in blood serum glucose levels.
2) Liver Health & Detoxification
TUDCA helps the liver by supporting a healthy inflammatory response and by lowering elevated liver enzyme levels. TUDCA supports the liver by enhancing the detoxification process and as mentioned, reducing inflammation.
3) Bile Flow
TUDCA improves bile flow by reducing the buildup of toxic bile acids. Some studies have found that TUDCA increased bile flow by 250%. TUDCA has also been shown to alter the composition of bile, making it contain higher amounts of compounds that help digestion in a positive way.
4) Helps Breakdown Fats
It improves the bile composition produced by the liver, making it more efficient at breaking down fats. This helps improve the body’s ability to digest and absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins.
5) Gut Health
Research suggests that TUDCA can help protect the intestines from leaky gut syndrome by supporting messenger proteins. It was also suggested that TUDCA supports gut health by enhancing gut microbiota through the influx of primary bile acids into the gut. However, more evidence is needed to verify these findings.
How To Take TUDCA Supplements
TUDCA can be found in supplements and it’s often paired with choline for comprehensive liver support. While dosing varies, the typical dose is 2 250mg capsules per day; however, it’s important to follow dosing directions on the label of the supplement you choose or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.
Shopping For TUDCA In Canada
National Nutrition, Canada’s best health food store, carries TUDCA supplements in-store and online. With expert advice and fast, reliable shipping, we work hard to provide you with prices that can’t be beat.
Potential Side Effects of TUDCA
While generally considered safe, those with bile duct obstruction or liver cirrhosis should consult a healthcare professional before using. Although rare, TUDCA may cause gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, and mild abdominal discomfort. If you experience any of these symptoms stop taking it immediately.
