What is tauroursodeoxycholic acid?
Tauroursodeoxycholic acid, more commonly known as TUDCA, is found in the bile that our liver excretes and stores in the gallbladder, for obvious reasons. It is the taurine-conjugated form of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). TUDCA is found in very small amounts in human bile, but it makes up about 50 percent of bear bile. In fact, TUDCA has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 100 years, and the ingredient was actually extracted from bear bile before chemical alternatives were discovered.
Bile aids in digestion; helps the body break down fats into fatty acids, making them easier for our digestive tract to absorb. Bile is made up of 4 main components; cholesterol, bilirubin, bile acids (also known as bile salts), and of course water. When supplemented, TUDCA comes in salt form and will be listed as TUDCA (sodium tauroursodeoxycholate) on the Nutrition Facts table.
Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid Benefits
The primary benefit of TUDCA is improved liver health and function. Studies cite impressive results of reductions in liver enzymes after TUDCA supplementation. Elevated liver enzymes indicate poor liver health and function, while low liver enzymes indicate healthy and functioning liver. Supplementation with TUDCA showed significant reductions in key liver enzymes, representing improved liver health.
These improvements in liver health are what make TUDCA so powerful for users of anabolics, especially oral anabolics. These substances can have a big impact on our liver health and function, and cycle support supplements are always recommended in addition to regular blood work to monitor health. TUDCA is considered one of the best liver health supplements available today.
Apoptosis is cell death that occurs as a normal part of the growth and development of organisms. The main part of the cell involved in apoptosis is the mitochondria. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of our cells, responsible for providing energy to cells. Mitochondria also release and activate certain molecules that play a role in initiating apoptosis. When something disturbs the mitochondrial membrane, the mitochondria release a molecule called cytochrome c. Cytochrome c then calls enzymes called caspases, which then initiate a cascade of reactions leading to apoptosis.
TUDCA prevents apoptosis by protecting mitochondria from cellular components that would normally cause this disturbance. It does this by preventing a molecule called Bax from being transported to the mitochondria. This cascade of reactions is initiated when Bax is transferred from the cytosol to the mitochondria, where it disrupts the mitochondrial membrane. By blocking Bax with TUDCA, it will prevent the synthesis of cell membranes and then prevent the release of cytochrome c, which prevents mitochondria from activating caspases. TUDCA prevents cell death by protecting the cell's mitochondrial membrane.
TUDCA prevents cell death by protecting the cell's mitochondrial membranes from harmful elements. This process and body response is why research is looking at the benefits of TUDCA supplementation for people with neurological disorders such as Parkinson's, Huntington's, Alzheimer's and ALS patients. The results of these studies and earlier recommendations are very exciting. TUDCA can have some very beneficial effects on some major diseases.
Studies have also shown improved insulin sensitivity in both muscle and liver, and positive effects on thyroid health. A study using animals and very high doses of TUDCA showed that neuroprotection improves age-related memory loss.
If you need any TUDCA products, please feel free to contact us: chriswang@sheerherb.com.
