TUDCA 101
Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid (TUDCA) is a bile acid that is naturally found in the human body. It is primarily produced in the liver and acts as a regulator of bile acid production, preventing the buildup of toxic bile acids in the liver. Supplementing with TUDCA has been shown to have a number of benefits, particularly in the field of enhanced bodybuilding.
This is because many of the compounds used by enhanced bodybuilders, such as oral AAS, SARMs and Pro-Hormones, can be harsh on the liver and cause serious damage over time. TUDCA is one of the most potent supplements enhanced bodybuilders can use to mitigate and reverse this damage.
In this Inner Sanctum post, we will explore the mechanism of action of TUDCA, its benefits and side-effects, and how to use it properly.
HOW DOES TUDCA WORK?
TUDCA plays many different roles in the human body, but the way it protects the liver is really simple. TUDCA essentially removes toxins from the liver and decreases the expression of inflammatory cytokines, allowing the liver to regenerate itself.
BENEFITS OF TUDCA
In addition to its liver-protective properties, TUDCA has also been shown to have a number of other beneficial effects for bodybuilders.
One of these is its ability to increase insulin sensitivity. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the metabolism of nutrients in the body. By increasing insulin sensitivity, TUDCA can help bodybuilders to better utilize the nutrients in their diet and improve their muscle growth, reduce the accumulation of fat and improve overall health.
It has also been shown to reduce systemic inflammation and improve digestion, two benefits that any individual (but especially enhanced bodybuilders) can benefit greatly from.
In a medical context, TUDCA is primarily used to treat cholestatic liver diseases such as primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. It can also be used to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and as a neuroprotectant in certain neurological conditions.
THE SIDE-EFFECTS OF TUDCA
TUDCA is generally considered safe when used appropriately, but like any supplement, it can cause side effects in some people.
The most common side effects of TUDCA are mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, bloating, and diarrhea. Rare side-effects include skin rashes, excessive sweating and fatigue.
HOW TO USE TUDCA
Many people (me included) believe that using TUDCA during a cycle can actually be detrimental to one’s final results.
TUDCA has been shown to decrease the absorption of both fat-soluble medications/supplements and medications that are metabolized in the liver (which would include most oral AAS, SARMs and Pro-Hormones, as well as common oral ancillaries).
No formal studies have been conducted to prove that TUDCA can decrease the absorption of oral AAS and other PEDs, but many users report that their cycles get less effective when they use it.
For this reason, I would only suggest taking TUDCA at 500mg/day in-between blasts of hepatotoxic PEDs, and never in conjunction with said PEDs or even PCT drugs (which are also metabolized in the liver).
Take N-Acetyl Cysteine or pin Glutathione while using hepatotoxic compounds instead.
