TUDCA benefits

TUDCA supplements have been shown to offer numerous health benefits for the liver and gastrointestinal system, but surprisingly, there are dozens of other benefits of TUDCA that go well beyond the digestive system.

Preclinical studies have shown that TUDCA is neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and has many more health-promoting properties.

1. Reduces bile sludge (cholestasis)

TUDCA has been found in clinical trials to have strong effects as bile acids, improving cholestasis by reducing bile sludge. Symptoms of cholestasis may include dark-colored urine, light-colored feces, and severe itching.

2. Improves digestion

TUDCA helps enhance bile flow, which promotes healthy digestion and absorption of dietary fats. Studies show that not only does TUDCA increase bile flow, but it also improves the chemical composition of bile so that it contains more compounds that help aid in digestion. 

Acid reflux can damage the stomach lining over time because of its high acidity level. TUDCA improves the damage to the stomach lining caused by bile reflux. I also recommend drinking ACV on a daily basis when on a keto diet. To learn more about the benefits of apple cider vinegar and fasting read does apple cider vinegar break a fast.

3. Promotes gut health

TUDCA supports a healthy gut lining, preventing and/or improving leaky gut syndrome. Leaky gut is a common digestive malady involving an injury to the lining of your gut. When the injury is long-term, it can result in intestinal permeability. This means substances that are supposed to stay inside the digestive tract escape or leak out.

Common factors that cause leaky gut include stress and poor diet. Environmental pollutants, such as pesticides, are thought to be a significant culprit in the cause of leaky gut syndrome.

4. Supports a healthy cardiovascular system

TUDCA helps break down and remove excess cholesterol from the body. TUDCA changes the metabolism of liver cholesterol. A small human study found that taking 1,000 to 1,500 mg of TUDCA per day for six months can lower total cholesterol levels.

TUDCA also promotes healthy blood vessels. Studies show that it recruits vasculogenic progenitor cells, which can accelerate the repair and formation of blood vessels. 

5. Stabilizes mitochondria 

TUDCA helps support mitochondrial health. The mitochondria are the parts of human cells that generate energy. The mitochondria provide energy to the cell. When the mitochondria cannot perform properly, cell death occurs.

Normal/programmed cell death is an important bodily process; it removes cells when they are damaged or otherwise unneeded.

Some disease processes can lead to untimely cell death. The mitochondrion is a part of the cell particularly involved in the death of cells called apoptosis. Both tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) disrupt the mitochondrial pathway of cell death.

6. Reduces inflammation

Studies on nerve inflammation discovered that TUDCA has an anti-inflammatory effect on glial cells. Glial cells promote the development of new neurons. They are found in the central nervous system (brain and spinal column).

Glial cells are smaller in size and larger in number than neurons (nerve cells). These tiny cells are instrumental during nerve cell recovery from injury (such as stroke). 

7. Boosts fat-soluble nutrient absorption

Bile salts enable the body to break down and better absorb fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K. TUDCA increases bile production, improving the body’s ability to absorb fat-soluble vitamins.

8. Protects the liver

Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) are bile acid supplements that can help promote liver health, even for those with liver disease. Liver sclerosis is a complication of late-stage liver disease caused by alcohol abuse, hepatitis, or fatty liver disease (from obesity or diabetes).

An increase in liver enzymes (including ALT, AST, and ALP) indicates an alteration in liver function. TUDCA was found to dramatically lower serum liver enzymes.

Bile salts are like detergent; when it backs up, it’s a strong irritant that can result in bloating, swelling, and pain in the abdomen. 

9. Supports insulin sensitivity

Insulin sensitivity occurs when the body’s cells are unable to respond properly to insulin. As a result, the cells have trouble taking up blood glucose. 

A small four-week study involving people with insulin resistance showed that daily TUDCA can improve insulin sensitivity by 30%.

10. Improves retinal health and vision

The retina is an important part of your vision—it’s the layer at the very back of the eyeball that converts light into electrical signals and sends them to your brain to interpret what you see.

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin; it’s absorbed along with dietary fats and stored in the liver and the body's fatty tissue. Vitamin A has long been known for its ability to promote eye health. People would have night blindness without vitamin A.

TUDCA improves visual acuity because it promotes the proper breakdown and absorption of vitamin A.

11. Protects the nervous system

TUDCA has shown promise for its neuroprotective benefits, working to protect the nervous system and significantly improving nerve function after a stroke.

Compelling scientific evidence has shown that TUDCA helps reduce the amyloid plaques, which are a hallmark sign of Alzheimer's disease. Even after the onset of Alzheimer’s, TUDCA can reduce amyloid production in the brain.

TUDCA is thought to be a potential future therapy for neurologic conditions such as Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.

12. Acts as an antioxidant

TUDCA acts as a powerful antioxidant that can combat toxins that build up in the body from smoking and exposure to other toxins and pollutants.