Home
Scan
Ask
Protocols
Profile
HomeIngredientsTUDCA
Reviewed by the Scan Dose Research Team and Clinical Advisory Board

TUDCA

STRONG EVIDENCESupplementLast updated April 2026

SCAN DOSE SUMMARY

TUDCA is a bile acid with potent hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and endoplasmic reticulum stress-reducing properties. Our research shows strong evidence for cholestatic liver disease and growing evidence for general liver protection, including steroid-users and high-dose supplement consumers. It's become the go-to liver support supplement in the bodybuilding community for good reason — the mechanism is legitimate.

EVIDENCE GRADES

Cholestatic liver diseaseStrong — established medical use (PMID: 10446019)
A
Liver protection (general)Moderate — improves bile flow and liver enzymes
B
ER stress reductionStrong mechanistic + moderate clinical evidence
B
Neuroprotection (ALS, Alzheimer's)Preliminary — clinical trials ongoing
C+
Insulin sensitivityLimited human data
C
Retinal degenerationAnimal data promising
C

OPTIMAL DOSAGE

  • Liver protection: 250-500mg/day
  • Cholestatic liver disease: 500-1,500mg/day (clinical doses)
  • General ER stress support: 250-500mg/day
  • Take with or without food — well absorbed either way
Scan a supplement containing TUDCA

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Cholestyramine / bile acid sequestrantsModerate

Directly binds TUDCA, reducing absorption and efficacy

Aluminum-containing antacidsMinor

May reduce TUDCA absorption

CyclosporineModerate

TUDCA may alter cyclosporine absorption and enterohepatic cycling

SAFETY PROFILE

Drug Interactions

Side Effects

  • Mild diarrhea at high doses (bile acid mechanism)
  • Generally very well tolerated
  • One of the safest liver-support supplements available

Pregnancy & Lactation

  • UDCA (parent compound) is used clinically for intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. TUDCA specifically lacks pregnancy data.

WADA Status

Not Prohibited

HOW SCAN DOSE SCORES THIS

Legitimate liver protection mechanism — score well for users on hepatotoxic supplements or medications
Products should specify TUDCA (not generic "bile acid" or UDCA)
Bodybuilder/athlete context: valid liver protection during oral steroid or high-dose supplement cycles
Bile acid sequestrant users: timing separation alert
"Liver detox" marketing: TUDCA has actual mechanism (unlike many "detox" products) — but reframe as "hepatoprotection" not "detox"

CLINICAL REFERENCES

1.

Beuers U. Drug insight: mechanisms and sites of action of ursodeoxycholic acid in cholestasis.

PMID: 10446019

2.

Ozcan U et al. Chemical chaperones reduce ER stress and restore glucose homeostasis.

PMID: 20427694

3.

Elia AE et al. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

PMID: 23906616

RELATED RESEARCH

Acacia Fiber
Activated Charcoal
Agave Inulin
Agmatine SulfateReduced neuropathic pain by 46.1%
Scan Your TUDCA SupplementBrowse all ingredients

Reviewed by the Scan Dose Research Team and Clinical Advisory Board | Last updated: April 2026

Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.

Discover More

Explore
Browse All 538 IngredientsBrowse All 20 Conditions