2756: Q&A - Liver Health & Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid - Does UDCA or TUDCA Help with Bile & the Liver?

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[00:00:27] It's another Q&A edition of Optimal Health Daily, and I'm Dr. Neal Malik.

[00:00:32] Hey there, happy Friday and welcome to another Q&A edition of Optimal Health Daily, where I answer your health questions related to fitness, diet and nutrition and lots more. You send in the questions and I answer them for you.

[00:00:45] Now before we get to today's question, once a month, usually during the first Q&A episode of the month, I mention a bit about my background and credentials so you can better understand where my perspectives come from.

[00:00:57] And given this is the first Q&A of the month, it's time.

[00:01:01] Now I've always been obsessed with Batman, but I wasn't always obsessed with nutrition, exercise, health and wellness.

[00:01:08] You know, all the things I talk about on this podcast.

[00:01:10] But being diagnosed with a chronic disease at the age of 19 definitely changed my life's purpose.

[00:01:16] It was then I decided to focus my attention on helping others, so that no one else had to experience a chronic disease diagnosis like I did.

[00:01:24] But to do that, I wanted to be sure I had some credibility.

[00:01:28] This is not meant to be a humble brag, but instead, gain your trust.

[00:01:32] I received both my master's and doctoral degrees in public health.

[00:01:36] And to make sure I covered all of my bases, I also became a registered dietitian nutritionist,

[00:01:41] a certified health education specialist, and a certified exercise physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine.

[00:01:48] Now I've been teaching in higher education for a long time now, and I'm currently faculty within the California State University system.

[00:01:55] I've also published peer-reviewed studies, presented at national and international conferences,

[00:02:01] and have been interviewed by over 70 different media outlets for my expertise on basically everything I talk about on this podcast.

[00:02:08] So all of this to say that when I provide my commentary after each episode,

[00:02:12] and I answer the questions you send in, like today, I hope you feel as though it's coming from a place of truth.

[00:02:19] My only intention is to help you feel your best.

[00:02:23] Okay, and with that, let's finally hear today's question as we optimize your life.

[00:02:33] Today's question came via email.

[00:02:35] Sam writes,

[00:02:36] I have concerns about liver health.

[00:02:38] Is torusodiozycolic acid helpful for liver health?

[00:02:42] Can you talk about any pros and cons of taking the supplement?

[00:02:46] Thank you so much for taking the time to send in your questions, Sam.

[00:02:49] The good news is, most studies have found that supplementing with torusodiozycolic acid is safe for most people.

[00:02:56] But whether it's helpful for improving liver health is another story.

[00:03:00] Let's discuss.

[00:03:01] Because I don't want to have to keep saying the full name of this compound, torusodiozycolic acid,

[00:03:07] we'll use its commonly used abbreviation,

[00:03:11] TUDCA.

[00:03:11] When I first started researching the supplement,

[00:03:14] I was hopeful because I quickly learned that it's being used in Europe as a treatment for liver problems,

[00:03:20] especially gallstone.

[00:03:21] The reason I was hopeful with this news was because Europe is stricter than the US

[00:03:26] when it comes to approving the use of drugs and supplements.

[00:03:29] In the US,

[00:03:30] the rule with supplements is that it's considered safe until proven otherwise.

[00:03:35] In Europe, it's the opposite.

[00:03:37] A supplement is not considered safe until proven otherwise.

[00:03:42] But safety is different from effectiveness.

[00:03:45] So I guess I should start discussing what TUDCA actually is, right?

[00:03:51] It's a compound that's made naturally by the body.

[00:03:54] Its main function is to help us absorb fat.

[00:03:57] We actually have lots of compounds in the body that we make naturally to help absorb fat.

[00:04:02] Sometimes, if we produce too much of these compounds,

[00:04:06] they're technically called bile salts,

[00:04:08] and TUDCA is one type of bile salt.

[00:04:11] These bile salts can collect and cause blockages and inflammation.

[00:04:16] These blockages are often caused by gallstones.

[00:04:19] But what's unique about TUDCA is that it's less likely to build up,

[00:04:24] and therefore, less likely to cause gallstones.

[00:04:27] On top of that, according to studies done in laboratories,

[00:04:31] it may also decrease liver inflammation and prevent liver cell death.

[00:04:36] But again, that was performed in the lab,

[00:04:39] which means these results don't always translate to us human.

[00:04:42] They have studied TUDCA in humans, luckily,

[00:04:45] but these were small studies,

[00:04:47] meaning the researchers may only have recruited a handful of people.

[00:04:51] Larger studies are helpful,

[00:04:52] because then we get a better idea of how most people might react to taking it.

[00:04:57] So far, though,

[00:04:58] taking TUDCA has been shown to help treat something called

[00:05:02] primary biliary cholangitis.

[00:05:05] This is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks liver cells,

[00:05:09] specifically the ones that help remove bile acids.

[00:05:12] So if the body is attacking the cells that remove bile acids,

[00:05:16] it may increase the chances of developing gallstones.

[00:05:21] So among those that have tiny gallstones,

[00:05:23] not those that have large gallstones that are leading to blockages,

[00:05:27] supplementing with 250 to 750 milligrams of TUDCA per day

[00:05:32] may help break up those gallstones.

[00:05:34] Now, I have to say,

[00:05:36] they found that it takes a while for the supplement to actually break them up.

[00:05:40] So results are not immediate.

[00:05:41] But consistently taking 250 to 750 milligrams per day

[00:05:46] over like the course of six months may be helpful.

[00:05:50] Now, if the gallstones, again, don't get treated

[00:05:53] and bile acids continue to build up,

[00:05:55] scarring of the liver can happen.

[00:05:57] The fancy way of saying this is cirrhosis.

[00:06:00] One small study found that those taking 750 milligrams of TUDCA per day

[00:06:05] for six months

[00:06:06] improved markers of liver inflammation.

[00:06:09] But when it comes to other liver problems,

[00:06:11] like hepatitis,

[00:06:12] which is also a type of inflammation of the liver,

[00:06:15] TUDCA didn't seem to be helpful.

[00:06:17] Luckily, very few of these studies had patients

[00:06:20] reporting any significant side effects from taking the supplement.

[00:06:23] The most commonly reported side effects

[00:06:25] were mild diarrhea,

[00:06:27] itchy skin,

[00:06:28] and the development of a rash.

[00:06:29] But as always,

[00:06:31] before taking any supplement,

[00:06:32] check with your doctor.

[00:06:33] The problem with TUDCA is that for some,

[00:06:36] like those that are pregnant or have ulcers,

[00:06:38] it wouldn't be recommended.

[00:06:40] And of course,

[00:06:41] if your doctor approves of you taking it,

[00:06:43] make sure you find a version that's been tested for quality and purity,

[00:06:47] like looking for USP or NSF on the packaging,

[00:06:51] or checking out consumerlab.com.

[00:06:57] Thank you again for taking the time to send in your questions, Sam.

[00:07:00] And if you want your question answered right here on the show,

[00:07:03] send one in.

[00:07:04] You can email one to health at oldpodcast.com.

[00:07:08] Or if you want your voice heard on the show,

[00:07:10] come by oldpodcast.com slash ask.

[00:07:14] You can record your question right from your computer's microphone.

[00:07:17] It's really easy,

[00:07:18] and you could even play back your message,

[00:07:21] delete it,

[00:07:21] and do retakes before officially sending it in.

[00:07:24] Or you could do it the old-fashioned way and call in your question.

[00:07:27] The number is 161-ILOVE-OHD.

[00:07:32] That's 1-614-568-3643.

[00:07:37] All right, that'll do it for today.

[00:07:39] I hope you have a great start to your weekend,

[00:07:40] and I'll see you back here tomorrow,

[00:07:42] where your optimal life awaits.

[00:07:44] The number is at 4-5-7-648.

[00:07:44] I hope you have a great start to do it for today.

[00:07:44] Bye, bye, bye.

[00:07:44] Bye, bye.

[00:07:45] Bye, bye.