Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid
At a glance
- Best for
- investigational use in cholestatic liver disease and ALS; not a routine supplement
- Typical dose
- 500–1500 mg/day, divided with meals
- Time to effect
- Weeks to months
- Main caution
- Contraindicated in complete biliary obstruction; loose stools are common
What is it
Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is the taurine-conjugated form of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a naturally occurring hydrophilic bile acid found in small amounts in human bile and historically isolated from bear bile in traditional East Asian medicine. Chemically (C26H45NO6S), it behaves as a chemical chaperone that stabilises protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum, reducing ER stress and the unfolded protein response, while also exerting anti-apoptotic effects via inhibition of the mitochondrial permeability transition and Bax translocation. In the liver, TUDCA expands the hydrophilic bile-acid pool and competitively displaces cytotoxic hydrophobic bile acids (such as deoxycholic and chenodeoxycholic acid) from hepatocyte membranes, which underlies its hepatoprotective and choleretic activity.
Is it worth it for you?
Worth considering if…
- You are exploring it under medical care for cholestatic liver disease or ALS
- You separate it from bile-acid sequestrants and antacids
- You tolerate possible loose stools
Probably skip if…
- You have complete biliary obstruction or acute cholecystitis
- You expect proven neuroprotective or anti-aging benefits
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding without supervision
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Evidence | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) | Limited Evidence | Slowed functional decline in a combination trial | people with ALS, under specialist care | Months |
Evidence for 1 use
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Disease adjunctTUDCA acts as a chemical chaperone that reduces ER stress and apoptosis, and a randomized trial of sodium phenylbutyrate plus TUDCA slowed functional decline in ALS, though a later larger phase 3 trial of that combination did not confirm benefit. Because the positive data come from a combination product, the independent effect of TUDCA is uncertain. It remains investigational and specialist-directed.
Bottom line: TUDCA, in a phenylbutyrate combination, showed promise in ALS but later trials were not confirmatory.
Evidence is mixed
An earlier combination trial slowed ALS decline, but a larger phase 3 trial of the same combination failed to confirm benefit, and TUDCA's solo effect is unclear.
How to take it
- Typical dose
- 500–1500 mg/day
- Higher studied dose
- Up to ~1750 mg/day in clinical trials for ALS and cholestatic disease
- Timing
- Divided into 2–3 doses with meals
- With food
- Take with meals
- Split dosing
- 2–3 divided doses across the day
- How long to try
- Weeks to months, under medical guidance
What to track
- liver enzymes and bilirubin where relevant
- stool consistency
- the targeted clinical endpoint
Safety
Common side effects
loose stools or diarrhea (dose-related)
Who should avoid it
- people with complete biliary obstruction
- those with acute cholecystitis or radiopaque gallstones without supervision
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Supplemental TUDCA is not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding outside medical supervision.
Interactions
bind TUDCA in the gut and reduce absorption; separate by several hours
impair TUDCA absorption
Choosing a product
Look for
- stated TUDCA content and purity
- third-party tested
- free of undeclared UDCA
Be skeptical of
- liver detox cure claims
- guaranteed neuroprotection
- anti-aging or longevity hype
References by claim
Track Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid with Pilora
Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.
Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.