Tudca Supplement: Benefits, Side Effects, Interactions, And Dose
As athletes, we often prioritize our outward appearance, focusing on building strong, lean muscles. However, taking care of our inner health is equally, if not more, crucial. What we consume has a profound impact on our overall health and athletic performance.
When considering inner health, most people think of:
- Eating nutritious foods
- Staying hydrated
- Getting adequate sleep
- Maintaining gut health
- Reducing inflammation
- Managing stress
- Avoiding junk food, processed products, and sugar
While these are all essential for good health, sometimes they aren't sufficient, especially concerning organ health. Specifically, liver health often requires more targeted support.
In this article, we'll delve into the supplement Tudca and its beneficial effects on not just the liver but the entire body. We'll cover what Tudca is, its benefits, usage guidelines, dosage, potential side effects, and interactions with other supplements or medications.
But first, let's tackle the fundamental question about Tudca:
What Does Tudca Stand For?
Tudca stands for tauroursodeoxycholic acid.
What Is Tudca?
Tudca is a beneficial bile acid (salt) that is water-soluble and naturally occurs in the body.
How Does Tudca Work?
Tauroursodeoxycholic acid primarily prevents harmful bile acids from accumulating in the liver, which can lead to cholestasis. During cholestasis, these harmful bile salts damage liver cells and membranes, signaling cell death. Tudca competes with these harmful bile salts, indirectly protecting liver cells from dying. Essentially, Tudca is the liver's best ally and protector.
How the Supplement Tudca Is Made
While tauroursodeoxycholic acid is naturally produced in the body, it can also be synthesized from the taurine conjugate form of Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA), another beneficial bile salt.
What Does Tudca Taste Like?
As a powdered supplement, Tudca has a bitter and salty taste. Fortunately, most Tudca supplements are available in capsule form, making them easier to consume.
Tudca Benefits
Now, let's explore the benefits of tauroursodeoxycholic acid. Here’s a quick overview, with detailed research findings to follow:
- Protects the liver
- Treats cholestasis effectively
- Rehabilitates damaged liver
- Reduces stress on cell’s endoplasmic reticulum
- May reduce insulin sensitivity and diabetes
- Acts as a neuroprotective agent
- May lower cholesterol
- Potential benefits for Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s, and stroke
Research on Tudca
Tudca Decreases Liver Enzymes Associated with Cholestasis
A 1996 study by Crosignani et al. found that subjects taking 500, 1000, or 1500mg of Tudca daily for six months significantly reduced harmful liver enzymes associated with cholestasis.
Tudca Improves Liver and Muscle Insulin Sensitivity
Kars et al. (2010) reported that 20 subjects taking 1750mg of Tudca daily for four weeks improved muscle and liver insulin sensitivity by approximately 30%, a result comparable to current anti-diabetic drugs.
Tudca Decreases Cholesterol
A 2001 study showed that subjects supplementing with 1000 or 1500mg of Tudca daily for six months significantly lowered their total cholesterol levels.
Tudca May Have Protective Effects Against Huntington’s Disease, Alzheimer’s, and Strokes
Several studies indicate that daily Tudca supplementation offers neuroprotective benefits against various conditions. For instance, one study demonstrated that Tudca protects against a toxin inducing Huntington’s Disease. Another study found that Tudca might help prevent beta-amyloid-induced cell death in the brain, potentially aiding in Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, two studies showed Tudca's neuroprotective actions against stroke and other neurological injuries.
The Best Way to Dose Tudca
For protective benefits, use a dose of 15-20mg per kilogram of body weight. For liver regeneration, 10-13mg daily is recommended. To improve muscle and liver insulin sensitivity, a dose of 1750mg daily is suggested. These dosages can be taken at once or divided throughout the day.
When to Take Tudca
Tudca can be taken at any time but is best consumed with food to aid absorption.
How Long Does It Take Tudca to Work?
Tudca doesn’t offer immediate benefits; it must be taken daily for positive effects. Most studies show benefits after one to six months of consistent use. The takeaway? Use Tudca for at least 30 days, with the most significant benefits seen with long-term use.
How Much Tudca to Take on a Cycle of Tren and Dbol
Athletes and bodybuilders who use steroids like tren or dbol are some of the most frequent users of Tudca, as these steroids can severely impact the liver. While I don’t endorse steroid use for various reasons, if you are on a steroid cycle, take 500-1000mg of Tudca three hours away from your steroid dose.
Tudca Before Drinking
If you’re preparing for a night of drinking and worried about your liver, Tudca may help. One study showed that taking Tudca after drinking might mitigate alcohol's adverse effects on the liver. However, never take Tudca before drinking, as this could cause liver damage.
Negative Side Effects of Taking Tudca
Tudca appears to have no adverse side effects. Multiple studies have shown that 500mg of Tudca daily for a year is not associated with any negative side effects.
Interactions
No known unfavorable interactions with other supplements or drugs exist at this time.
Conclusion
While maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and managing stress are all vital for inner health, supplements like Tudca can offer additional support, particularly for liver health. As research continues to uncover its benefits, Tudca stands out as a valuable supplement for athletes and anyone looking to improve their overall health.
