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Best TUDCA Supplement

Is a TUDCA supplement the right approach to support your liver health? Our full analysis of the scientific research and competing products helps you decide.

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Last updated: Sep 19th, 2025
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TUDCA Supplements by Innerbody Research

Photo by Innerbody Research

About one in three adults worldwide has nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) — often without realizing it. This common but quiet condition can inflame the liver and raise the risk for cirrhosis, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is one of the few supplements with human research pointing to potential benefits for liver health. In small clinical trials, it has improved hepatic insulin sensitivity — a key factor in managing fatty liver disease. Early research also points to possible benefits for brain health and other concerns tied to cellular stress.

The trouble is, many TUDCA supplements are underdosed, untested, or overhyped. In this guide, we’ll sort through the science, highlight where the benefits are most apparent, and recommend products that meet our standards for safety, dosing, and transparency. Start with our summary of recommendations for a quick snapshot, then keep reading to see how we made our picks.

Summary of recommendations

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Why you should trust us

Over the past two decades, Innerbody Research has helped tens of millions of readers make more informed decisions about staying healthy and living healthier lifestyles.

Our investigation into TUDCA supplements began by examining the compound’s biological role and clinical use. We analyzed dozens of peer-reviewed studies, clinical trials, and expert reviews to understand how TUDCA works, where the evidence is strongest, and which populations might benefit most. From there, we evaluated the supplement landscape to find products that align with research-backed doses and quality standards — with close attention paid to safety practices, ingredient transparency, and cost. We also became customers ourselves, purchasing and trying several of the most promising TUDCA supplements so we could speak directly to the customer and user experience.

Additionally, like all health-related content on this website, this guide was thoroughly vetted by one or more members of our Medical Review Board for accuracy and will continue to be monitored for updates by our editorial team.

How we evaluated the best TUDCA supplements

To identify the best TUDCA supplements, we focused on the key factors that matter most to you. Our evaluation criteria included:

  • Effectiveness
  • Safety
  • Cost
  • Convenience

In the following sections, we explain how we chose the winner in each category:

Effectiveness

Advantage: Vinatura TUDCA Milk Thistle

Human studies have tested TUDCA in doses from 250mg up to 2,000mg/day. While researchers have explored its potential for neurological and metabolic conditions, the clearest clinical benefits are in liver health.

Doses as low as 250mg/day have shown modest improvements in some liver studies, but 500mg/day is the minimum dose that consistently produces meaningful benefits. In patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), 500mg/day lowered key liver enzymes linked to inflammation and damage.

There is evidence that higher doses often perform better. In a six-month PBC study that compared three intakes:

  • 500mg/day lowered liver enzymes but plateaued after the first month.
  • 1,000mg/day kept improving over time.
  • 1,500mg/day was also effective, but didn’t clearly outperform 1,000mg/day in that study.

From this and related work, researchers have suggested that doses around 10-13mg/kg/day — roughly 700-1,000mg/day for most adults — are appropriate for long-term liver support. Benefits such as improved liver insulin sensitivity may be reached at higher doses (1,750mg/day), but gastrointestinal side effects become more common as intake approaches 2,000mg/day.

Vinatura’s 500mg capsules make it easy to reach the 500mg, 1,000mg, or 1,500mg/day thresholds often studied in liver trials. It also includes 125mg of milk thistle (silymarin) per capsule, an herbal extract with evidence for supporting healthy liver enzyme levels in individuals with liver disease. For people who want an effective dose for liver health, Vinatura is the best choice.

For those who prefer greater flexibility, Double Wood’s 250mg capsules allow a potential titrated approach:

  • Start cautiously at 250-500mg/day
  • Step up to 750-1,000mg/day if tolerated
  • Scale back if side effects appear, then resume later

This flexibility matters because GI effects with TUDCA are often temporary. Research suggests many people adapt over time or tolerate higher intakes after easing in gradually. Smaller capsules make that process simpler, while also mirroring the way some clinical studies administered TUDCA in multiple 250mg doses throughout the day.

Safety

Advantage: Double Wood TUDCA

Double Wood is our safety pick thanks to its moderate dose and transparent formula. Its 500mg daily serving (two 250mg capsules) lands at the start of an effective dose for liver health, where side effects are uncommon. Because the capsules are 250mg each — a size and format commonly used in research — it’s easy to adjust your intake up or down to find your comfort zone. The formula is pure TUDCA — no added herbs, blends, or common allergens — and Double Wood posts third-party test results on the product page.

Vinatura ranks second for safety, offering a 500mg TUDCA capsule plus 125mg of milk thistle. At this amount, milk thistle is generally safe but can cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to ragweed or artichokes. Additionally, the company only launched in 2023, so it’s still a newer entrant in the market. We value that Vinatura posts its third-party test results publicly on its product page, but its shorter track record and the added allergy risk keep it out of the top spot.

Bulk Supplements manufactures supplements in an NSF-certified, GMP-compliant facility and conducts third-party testing on a case-by-case basis. Certificates of analysis (COA) are available if you ask, but the company doesn’t post results publicly. Because not every lot is third-party tested, Bulk Supplements ranks behind Double Wood and Vinatura for safety.

Cost

Advantage: Vinatura TUDCA Milk Thistle

On a per-serving basis, Vinatura’s TUDCA Milk Thistle comes out on top. Each capsule delivers 500mg of TUDCA (double the dose of most competitors) plus 125mg of milk thistle, a clinically studied liver-support botanical. That means your dollars stretch further in both potency and formulation. Even after accounting for its $7.99 shipping fee, Vinatura’s subscription price is about $0.34 per 500mg serving, the lowest of any capsule-based option in our comparison.

Double Wood offers higher subscription discounts (20%) and free shipping, but because its capsules contain only 250mg of TUDCA, its cost per 500mg dose remains higher. Bulk Supplements’ large 100g powder bag eventually undercuts both brands’ per mg cost, but it’s the equivalent of a 200-day supply. That’s a significant upfront commitment to reach those savings.

Here’s how our recommendations compare to each other on price:

Price (with shipping)
Shipping Cost
Size
Days of Supply (500mg/day)
Price per 500mg (with shipping)
Double Wood (1 bottle, no subscription)
$27.95
Free shipping
60 caps (250mg each)
30
$0.93
Double Wood (3 bottles with 20% subscription discount)
$54.36
Free shipping
180 caps (250mg each)
90
$0.61
Bulk Supplements (25g bag, no subscription)
$36.92
$9.95
25g powder
50
$0.74
Bulk Supplements (100g bag with 10% subscription discount)
$61.17
Free shipping (over $59)
100g powder
200
$0.31
Vinatura (1 bottle, no subscription)
$34.88
$7.99
90 caps (500mg each)
90
$0.39
Vinatura (1 bottle with 15% subscription discount)
$30.85
$7.99
90 caps (500mg each)
90
$0.34

Insider Tip: Both Vinatura and BulkSupplements list their TUDCA on Amazon, so Prime eligibility can eliminate separate shipping fees.

Convenience

Advantage: Double Wood TUDCA

Capsules are the easiest format for most people — no scoops, no guesswork — and Double Wood keeps it simple with two clearly labeled 250mg capsules per day that you can titrate if needed. You also get free shipping on any order, even a single bottle, and the product page posts third-party COAs, clearly visible. Finally, Double Wood offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on your initial purchase — no return needed for the first bottle. Even with a multipack, you can keep one bottle and send back the rest, which lowers the risk of trying it.

Vinatura is nearly as easy to use if you’re looking for a higher dose — just two 500mg capsules per day. Its standout convenience feature is the generous 90-day money-back guarantee, which requires no return and makes trying it essentially risk-free. Third-party COAs are posted on the product page, which adds transparency and trust. The one drawback is that subscription options are limited to 4-, 6-, or 8-week intervals rather than more flexible monthly or quarterly cycles, so keeping a steady supply may require a bit more planning.

When considering Bulk Supplements’ convenience factor, powder does give you the widest dosing range — handy if you want to personalize from 100mg up to 1,500mg — but it does mean measuring. On top of that, the powder has a pretty bitter taste. It’s closer to the sharp, lingering bitterness you’d notice if you accidentally tasted an uncoated pill, and some people may find it challenging to mask in water or juice. If taste sensitivity is a concern, capsules will be the easier option, but for those comfortable mixing powders or blending them into stronger flavors, the flexibility in dosing can be worth it.

Bulk Supplements’ return policy is decent (30 days; unopened for a full refund, opened for a partial refund tied to the smallest unit), but it’s more restrictive than our two capsule brands. Lastly, you’ll need to spend more than $59 to unlock free shipping, which effectively means a 100g bag — roughly 200 days at 500mg/day — or a multi-item order.

How our top recommendations compare

The chart below offers a quick reference of how our top picks compare in several major ways, including their cost, serving counts, and more.

Vinatura TUDCA Milk ThistleDouble Wood TUDCABulk Supplements TUDCA Powder
TUDCA FormTUDCA + silymarin blend capsulesPure TUDCA capsulesPure TUDCA powder
Dose of TUDCA per serving1,000mg (2 capsules)500mg (2 capsules)500mg per ¼ teaspoon
500mg servings per container453050 (in 25g bag)
Cost per 500mg$0.39$0.93$0.74
Free shippingNo (adds $7.99)
Only on orders over $59
Additional actives250mg milk thistle (80% silymarin)NoneNone
Vegan
No (gelatin capsule)
Guarantee90-day, no return requiredFirst-order onlyPartial (full refund on unopened items)
Third-party tested?
Case-by-case

What is TUDCA?

TUDCA stands for tauroursodeoxycholic acid. It’s a conjugated bile acid, which simply means it combines two parts: UDCA (ursodeoxycholic acid) plus the amino acid taurine. Your body makes small amounts of TUDCA naturally as part of the bile acid pool that helps you digest fats.

Historically, TUDCA as a supplement has its roots in the use of bear bile in Traditional Chinese Medicine, where it has been used for thousands of years. Bear bile was valued for treating liver problems, fevers, inflammation, and eye conditions across China, Korea, and Japan. Because bear bile is naturally rich in UDCA and TUDCA compared with other animal sources, it was uniquely prized in these remedies.

Today, TUDCA supplements typically no longer rely on animal sources. They use synthetic TUDCA, which is intended to reproduce the same biological effects as the bear-derived version.

TUDCA vs. UDCA

Because their names and effects are so similar, it’s easy to mix up TUDCA and UDCA.

UDCA (ursodeoxycholic acid) is an FDA-approved medication that doctors have prescribed for decades to treat cholestatic liver diseases like primary biliary cholangitis. TUDCA is the taurine-conjugated form of UDCA and is available as a dietary supplement.

Comparing UDCA and TUDCA:

Where they overlap

Both UDCA and TUDCA can improve bile flow and bring down liver enzymes in people with liver stress. Their similar structure means they act in related ways on bile acids in the liver.

How the evidence differs

UDCA has been tested in large clinical trials and is FDA-approved for conditions like primary biliary cholangitis. TUDCA’s research base is smaller, relying on a handful of early human studies alongside more extensive animal and cell work.

How you can access them

In the U.S., UDCA is available only by prescription as a regulated medication, whereas TUDCA is sold over the counter as a dietary supplement. In many other countries, both compounds are regulated as prescription drugs.

How do TUDCA supplements work?

TUDCA is different from most bile acids. Regular bile acids are hydrophobic (“water-fearing”): they help digest fats but can irritate or damage cells when they build up. TUDCA, by contrast, is hydrophilic (“water-loving”), which makes it less abrasive and able to balance out those harsher acids. Together, these bile acids form what scientists call the ‘bile-acid pool.’

Normally, your body keeps the bile-acid pool balanced, but certain stresses can throw it off:

  • High-fat diets
  • Liver disease
  • Obesity
  • Blockages in bile ducts

When this happens, the pool shifts toward more hydrophobic acids, which can inflame cells and slow bile flow. In liver disease studies, supplementing with hydrophilic acids like TUDCA has been shown to make bile less toxic and easier to flow, improving markers of liver stress.

That said, bile chemistry isn’t the whole story. Inside cells, TUDCA seems to act in other ways by:

Reducing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress

In cell and animal studies, TUDCA acts like a “chemical chaperone.” It helps the endoplasmic reticulum (the cell’s protein-folding hub) cope with misfolded proteins, easing the stress response that can otherwise trigger inflammation and cell death.

Calming inflammatory signals

TUDCA helps keep NF-κB — a master switch for inflammation — from becoming overactive during cellular stress. By limiting this pathway, it reduces the flood of inflammatory cytokines that can damage tissues.

Protecting mitochondria and preventing excess cell death

TUDCA stabilizes mitochondria, the cell’s energy producers, so they keep working under stress. This protection reduces unnecessary apoptosis — a form of programmed cell death that, when excessive, can deplete healthy cells and weaken tissues.

TUDCA clearly alters bile chemistry under cholestatic stress, but most evidence for its cellular effects still comes from cell and animal studies. A handful of small human trials suggest these benefits may carry over to people, though the exact pathways remain under investigation.

What are the benefits of TUDCA supplements?

TUDCA’s most consistent effect seems to be helping cells cope with stress — reducing misfolded protein buildup and calming inflammatory pathways. Because these processes are common to many diseases, researchers have explored TUDCA in a wide range of conditions, from liver and metabolic disorders to neurodegenerative diseases.

That said, the strength of the evidence varies a lot. Some small human trials — mostly in PBC and insulin resistance — show encouraging results, while larger, more definitive studies are still missing. In other areas, like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and neuroprotection, the story is even less clear: despite promising preclinical data, a recent Phase 3 ALS trial failed to confirm meaningful benefit.

To help make sense of this, we’ve summarized the potential benefits of TUDCA in the chart below. Each area is ranked by the strength of available evidence:

  • Strong = multiple human trials with consistent results.
  • Moderate = encouraging but limited or inconsistent human data.
  • Emerging/Weak = evidence mainly from animal or cell studies, with little human confirmation.
Potential benefitEvidence strengthNotes
Cholestatic liver disease (e.g., PBC)StrongCan lower blood tests of liver injury and bile buildup (like alkaline phosphatase); long-term outcome benefits aren’t proven.
Insulin sensitivityModerateShort-term use improved liver and muscle insulin sensitivity in adults with obesity; durability and clinical outcomes are unknown.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)EmergingIn animal studies, it reduces fat and inflammation in the liver; human trials haven’t yet confirmed benefit in NAFLD.
Eye/retinal protectionEmergingProtects retinal cells in several animal models; no human efficacy data yet.
Ulcerative colitis / inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)EmergingReduces intestinal inflammation in animal models; early human work is limited and not definitive.
Fertility & reproductive biologyEmergingImproves embryo and oocyte development in animal and cell studies; no human fertility outcomes yet.
NeuroprotectionWeakNo confirmed human benefit; a large ALS Phase 3 trial of a TUDCA-based combo failed its primary endpoint.

Cholestatic liver disease: strong evidence

In cholestatic conditions, bile doesn’t flow properly out of the liver, which can injure liver cells and cause symptoms like itching and fatigue. Doctors have long used a bile acid, UDCA, to treat these problems. Since TUDCA is a taurine-conjugated form of UDCA, it’s been tested as an alternative. Clinical studies show that TUDCA, much like UDCA, can improve bile flow and bring down liver enzymes:

  • A multicenter randomized trial found that people with PBC who took 750mg/day of TUDCA for 24 weeks had lower alkaline phosphatase and other liver enzyme levels. Unlike UDCA, it did not worsen itching.
  • In a six-month trial of patients with primary biliary cholangitis, daily doses of 500mg, 1000mg, or 1500mg of TUDCA shifted bile composition toward more hydrophilic bile acids, including higher UDCA levels — a profile believed to be less toxic to liver cells.

Overall, TUDCA has been shown to improve blood tests linked to bile buildup, but it hasn’t yet been proven to prevent cirrhosis or improve long-term survival.

Insulin sensitivity: moderate evidence

A small, short-term clinical trial tested TUDCA in adults with obesity and insulin resistance. After four weeks, people taking TUDCA showed better insulin sensitivity in the liver and muscle compared with placebo.

  • The findings came from detailed lab testing (insulin clamp studies), not real-world outcomes like blood sugar control or diabetes risk.
  • No follow-up studies have confirmed whether these improvements last beyond a month or lead to clinical benefits.

In summary, early research suggests TUDCA can improve insulin sensitivity, but the evidence is limited to short-term studies, so its role in metabolic health remains uncertain.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): emerging evidence

Animal studies suggest TUDCA can reduce liver fat and inflammation by easing ER stress and improving gut-barrier function. However, this has not been replicated in humans.

  • In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 20 obese, insulin-resistant adults, 4 weeks of TUDCA (1,750mg/day) improved hepatic and muscle insulin sensitivity but did not reduce liver fat.
  • There are no completed human trials showing TUDCA improves NAFLD histology or imaging. For context, other bile-acid therapies have also been tested in NAFLD and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), but results have been underwhelming. For example, UDCA — a closely related bile acid — has not improved disease histology in randomized controlled trials and is not recommended in treatment guidelines.

While TUDCA shows promise in animal NAFLD models, human studies so far have not shown improvements in liver fat, and its role in treating NAFLD remains unproven.

Eye and retinal protection: emerging evidence

TUDCA shows protective effects on the retina in animal studies, but these findings haven’t yet been confirmed in people.

  • In rodent models of retinitis pigmentosa — an inherited condition where light-sensing cells in the retina gradually die, leading to progressive vision loss — TUDCA reduced retinal cell death and preserved photoreceptor structure and function.
  • Other animal studies suggest benefits in models of light-induced retinal damage and diabetic retinopathy, again showing reduced apoptosis of retinal cells.

TUDCA appears to protect retinal cells in several preclinical models; however, there are no human trials yet to show vision benefits.

Ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): emerging evidence

IBD includes chronic inflammatory conditions like ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease, where the immune system attacks the gut lining. Most of the evidence for TUDCA here comes from preclinical work.

  • In animal models of colitis, TUDCA reduced intestinal inflammation, improved barrier function, and protected gut cells from stress-related injury.
  • A recent study in animals and intestinal cells found that TUDCA improved gut barrier integrity and shifted gut bacteria, changes that could reduce inflammation.
  • In humans, an open-label pilot trial of 13 patients with active UC found that 6 weeks of TUDCA was safe and associated with improvements in ER stress markers, mucosal healing, and clinical disease activity. However, because this study had no placebo group and was very small, larger randomized trials are needed to confirm the benefit.

TUDCA shows anti-inflammatory and gut-protective effects in animal models, and very early human data suggest potential benefits in ulcerative colitis. However, evidence is still preliminary, and robust clinical trials are required before drawing firm conclusions.

Fertility and reproductive biology: emerging evidence

Most of the evidence for TUDCA in reproduction comes from in vitro and animal studies rather than human trials.

  • In animal experiments, TUDCA protected eggs (oocytes) and early embryos from stress and cell death, improving their survival and development.
  • Cell culture studies show TUDCA can reduce ER stress during embryo development, which may support healthier implantation and growth.
  • No human studies have tested whether TUDCA improves fertility or pregnancy outcomes.

TUDCA appears to support embryo and egg health in preclinical work, but there’s no clinical evidence that it improves fertility in people.

Neuroprotection: weak evidence

Scientists have tested TUDCA as a potential neuroprotective compound in several conditions, but human data are almost entirely limited to ALS. So far, the results for ALS have not been encouraging.

  • Early small trials suggested that TUDCA might slow functional decline in ALS patients, leading to larger studies.
  • TUDCA was later tested in combination with sodium phenylbutyrate (marketed as Relyvrio/AMX0035). While the drug initially showed promise in a Phase 2 study, a large Phase 3 trial failed to meet its primary endpoint, raising major doubts about efficacy.
  • No trials of TUDCA alone have shown clear clinical benefit in ALS, and regulatory approvals for the combo have already been withdrawn in the U.S. and Canada.

TUDCA has repeatedly shown neuroprotective effects in preclinical models of neurodegeneration and brain injury. But the only large human trials — in ALS — have been negative, leaving its role in brain health unproven.

How much TUDCA should you take?

We reviewed several human clinical studies to assess effective and safe dose ranges for TUDCA supplementation. Here’s what the evidence suggests:

Daily dose rangeWhat it’s been studied forNotes
250 - 500mg/dayChronic liver conditions (hepatitis, cholestatic disease)250mg/day produced modest enzyme improvements in one large trial, but 500mg/day showed stronger and more consistent effects.
700 - 1,500mg/dayLiver enzyme reduction in cirrhosis and PBCConsistently lowered cholestatic enzymes and improved bile flow. Research suggests 700-1,000mg/day may be ideal for long-term liver support.
1,750 - 2,000mg/dayImproving insulin sensitivity in obesity and ALS treatment1,750mg/day improved insulin sensitivity in a 4-week obesity trial; 2g aligns with ALS dosing trials (though ALS outcomes were negative)

Most research falls in the 500–1,500mg/day window, with 500–1,000mg/day appearing most reliable for liver health. Some trials have pushed up to 2,000mg/day, but there are no large dose-response studies to define an optimal dose.

More research is needed, and long-term safety above 2g/day hasn’t been firmly established.

Are TUDCA supplements safe?

TUDCA has been well-tolerated in clinical research. Human studies have tested daily doses from 250mg up to 2,000mg for periods lasting a few weeks to about 18 months. Across trials, the most common side effects are mild digestive issues:

  • Bloating
  • Diarrhea
  • Loose stools
  • Abdominal discomfort

Less commonly, skin rashes have been reported.

Side effects appear dose-dependent. At around 500mg/day, they are rarely reported, but as intake approaches 1,000mg/day or higher, gastrointestinal complaints become more likely. In one study, about 6% of patients at 1,000mg/day experienced GI issues, and a few discontinued the trial as a result. Still, research suggests these digestive side effects are often temporary, fading as the body adapts, especially when people start with smaller doses and build up gradually.

Long-term use

The best safety data come from ALS studies, where patients took 2,000mg/day (1g twice daily) for up to 18 months. Roughly 20% experienced gastrointestinal side effects, but most were able to continue by lowering their dose.

Longer exposure has not been systematically studied, so the safety of multi-year supplementation remains unknown.

Who are TUDCA supplements for?

TUDCA is most widely studied for protecting liver health and easing cellular stress. While research is still developing, several groups may find it worthwhile at doses considered safe (2g or less per day):

People with liver concerns

Clinical studies show TUDCA can improve liver enzyme markers and bile flow in conditions like NAFLD and PBC. Benefits seem strongest in people who already have elevated enzymes or bile duct issues, rather than in generally healthy adults.

Still, responses vary, and not all studies agree on how much improvement to expect.

People seeking metabolic support

Trials in adults with obesity found TUDCA improved insulin sensitivity in liver and muscle cells, though long-term outcomes remain uncertain. The improvements were modest, so it’s not clear whether TUDCA meaningfully reduces risks for diabetes.

Larger and longer studies are needed before drawing firm conclusions.

People interested in neuroprotection

Early evidence (mostly animal and preclinical) suggests TUDCA may shield neurons from stress linked to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease. Small human studies in ALS hint at slowed disease progression, although a large clinical trial failed to show improvement.

Who are they not for?

While TUDCA is generally well-tolerated and backed by human studies in specific contexts (e.g., liver disease, insulin sensitivity), there are several populations who should avoid it.

People with blocked bile flow or acute gallbladder issues

Bile-acid drugs like UDCA (the prescription cousin of TUDCA) aren’t used when bile can’t drain — what clinicians call a complete biliary obstruction. These medicines rely on bile flowing from the liver through the ducts into the intestine; if a duct is blocked (by a gallstone, scar-like narrowing/stricture, or a tumor), the drug can’t reach its target and adding more bile acids can worsen the backup (jaundice, itching, rising bilirubin/ALP).

Because TUDCA acts within the same bile-acid pool as UDCA, it should not be used when bile flow is blocked.

People who are pregnant or breastfeeding

Human safety data for TUDCA are insufficient. UDCA has pregnancy-specific uses, but even there, regulators have not granted a blanket “safe in pregnancy” label; for TUDCA, evidence is preliminary.

Best to skip during pregnancy and lactation.

People prone to diarrhea or sensitive GI tracts

Across clinical contexts, the most consistent side effect of TUDCA is diarrhea (sometimes with abdominal pain/flatulence). If you already struggle with loose stools, TUDCA may aggravate them.

If you’re taking bile-acid binders or aluminum antacids

Cholestyramine and colestipol are prescription ‘bile-acid sequestrants’ used to lower LDL cholesterol; they work by binding bile acids in the intestine so they’re carried out in stool instead of being reabsorbed. Some aluminum-based antacids (like aluminum hydroxide) can bind bile acids, too.

Because these products trap bile acids in the gut, they can trap TUDCA as well — reducing its absorption and likely blunting any effect.

If you’re on transplant immunosuppressants (e.g., cyclosporine)

Cyclosporine is a powerful immunosuppressant used after organ transplants and for some autoimmune conditions. Studies show that bile acids like UDCA can alter how cyclosporine is absorbed and processed, sometimes raising its blood levels and sometimes lowering them. Those swings matter, since too little cyclosporine risks organ rejection and too much risks toxicity.

Because TUDCA circulates in the same bile-acid pool as UDCA, it could create similar unpredictability — making it a poor match with cyclosporine therapy.

People seeking a “hangover/drug ‘detox’ fix”

Human trials haven’t shown that TUDCA reliably reverses alcohol- or drug-related liver injury in everyday use. While some lab and animal studies suggest protective effects, others show little to no benefit, and large human studies with UDCA (a related bile acid) found no survival advantage in alcohol-related cirrhosis.

Despite what you may read or hear online, the evidence just isn’t strong enough to support TUDCA as a hangover cure or a quick detox option.

People seeking a general anti-inflammatory “cure-all”

Most inflammation claims come from animal and in vitro studies, where TUDCA reduces stress signaling and dampens cytokine release. In humans, trials haven’t shown consistent drops in markers like CRP, IL-6, or TNF-α, so any systemic anti-inflammatory benefit remains unproven.

For now, it’s best to treat these effects as speculative rather than established.

People who are trying to replace the prescription UDCA

UDCA is an FDA-approved prescription medication with specific indications; TUDCA supplements aren’t a 1:1 replacement.

Vinatura TUDCA Milk Thistle

Best high-strength liver support blend

Vinatura

Photo by Innerbody Research

Pros

  • 1,000mg TUDCA per serving in two caps provides a high dose
  • 250mg standardized milk thistle extract included for added liver support
  • COA and third-party test results posted online
  • Produced in FDA-registered, GMP-certified U.S. facilities
  • 90-day money-back guarantee
  • Most affordable per mg cost of TUDCA in capsule format out of recommendations
  • Vegan-friendly

Cons

  • No free shipping
  • Newer brand with a limited public track record
  • Subscription options limited to 4, 6, and 8 week intervals
  • Contains milk thistle, which may cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to ragweed or related plants

Founded in 2023, Vinatura Supplements LLC is a U.S.–based brand with headquarters in Claymont, DE. Though newer and less widely recognized than some supplement competitors, Vinatura states it prioritizes transparency and safety, which its actions support. Its products are made in FDA-registered, cGMP-certified facilities and undergo third-party testing, with COAs posted online. While Double Wood, our top recommendation in this guide, also posts third-party COAs online, it’s still relatively uncommon in the supplement industry.

The company maintains a small catalog of targeted health products, including its TUDCA Milk Thistle formula, which is designed for comprehensive liver support.

Each two-capsule serving provides 1,000mg of TUDCA — roughly double what most competitors like Double Wood offer — alongside 250mg of milk thistle extract, which is backed by research for hepatoprotective effects. On the other hand, milk thistle can pose an allergy risk for some users, particularly those sensitive to ragweed, daisies, marigolds, or other plants in the same family.

At 1,000mg per serving, Vinatura delivers a potent daily dose of TUDCA that may be more than some users need starting out. However, because each capsule contains 500mg, you can begin with a single capsule and scale up to 1,000mg as tolerated.

Pricing, subscriptions, and shipping

On a per-serving basis, Vinatura offers some of the best value among capsule-based TUDCA supplements. Each capsule delivers 500mg — double the 250mg standard from most competitors — which contributes to its cost-per-mg advantage.

Here’s how the pricing breaks down for a single bottle (90 capsules / 45 servings), with and without a subscription:

One-time purchaseSubscription (15% off)
Single bottle price$26.89$22.86
Single bottle price + $7.99 shipping$34.88$30.85
Cost per 500mg (no shipping)$0.30$0.25
Cost per 500mg (with shipping)$0.39$0.34

Even after adding Vinatura’s $7.99 shipping fee, the subscription price comes out to about $0.34 per 500mg capsule, undercutting other capsule-based rivals. Double Wood provides a higher 20% subscription discount and free shipping, but with only 250mg per capsule, its per-500mg cost still runs higher. Bulk Supplements’ 100g powder bag eventually beats both Double Wood and Vinatura on cost (about $0.31 per 500mg), but that requires buying the equivalent of a 200-day supply upfront — a large commitment.

One downside of Vinatura: there is no way to unlock free shipping. Instead, here are the costs for standard shipping:

  • 1 unit: $7.99
  • 2 units: $5.49 each
  • 3 units: $5.00 each
  • 4 units or more: $4.50 each

Another limitation is Vinatura’s subscription flexibility. Deliveries can only be scheduled every 4, 6, or 8 weeks, which may not fit as neatly with individual usage patterns compared to Bulk Supplements, which offers subscriptions in fixed monthly intervals (every 1–6 months).

Refunds and guarantees

Vinatura stands out with a 90-day money-back guarantee — the longest policy among our TUDCA recommendations. The guarantee applies whether you purchase directly from Vinatura’s website or its official Amazon store, and it doesn’t require you to return the product. Refunds cover up to two bottles per product per customer, and exchanges for unopened items are also available within the same 90-day window.

That length matters. Ninety days is long enough for many people to gauge whether a TUDCA supplement is making a difference in their liver enzyme levels. By comparison, Double Wood’s policy covers only 30 days, and Bulk Supplements limits returns to unopened products or partial refunds — a more restrictive approach. Since Vinatura is a relatively new player in the supplement market, such a lengthy policy helps offset the risk of trying a brand without the same track record as longer-established competitors.

Double Wood TUDCA

A versatile option ideal for most people

Double Wood

Photo by Innerbody Research

Pros

  • 500mg daily dose in 2 capsules — an appropriate starting point for most users
  • Third-party tested; test results and certificates of analysis are available on the product page
  • Highest subscription discount on our list (20%)
  • Bulk purchase options add per-bottle savings (and stack with subscription)
  • Free U.S. shipping on all orders
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Capsules contain gelatin (not vegan)
  • Satisfaction guarantee applies only to the first purchase
  • Multiple capsules required if you want higher daily doses (e.g., 4 caps for 1,000mg)

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Pennsylvania, Double Wood Supplements produces its lineup in U.S.-based facilities that follow cGMP standards. The company stands out for its transparency: most products include accessible third-party testing data and COAs right on its product pages — a practice that’s still relatively uncommon in the supplement world.

Each bottle of Double Wood TUDCA contains 60 capsules at 250mg, and the label’s two‑capsule serving supplies 500mg/day. For most people, 500mg represents a clinically relevant yet approachable dose — but not so high that dose-related GI side effects become a major concern.

Additionally, the 250mg capsule format makes it easy for users to adjust their intake up or down to align with the amounts tested in studies, such as:

  • 500mg/day: lowered multiple liver enzymes linked to inflammation and damage in people with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) compared to placebo.
  • 750mg/day: reduced alkaline phosphatase and improved other liver blood markers in another study, without adding side effects.
  • 1,750mg/day: improved insulin sensitivity by roughly 30% in people with insulin resistance compared to placebo.

There are a couple of trade‑offs to note up front for Double Wood. The capsules use gelatin (not vegan), and if you're attempting higher daily intakes (e.g., 1,000mg), you’ll be taking multiple capsules. Even so, for readers who prioritize transparent testing, Double Wood provides one of the most reliable and accessible ways to start experimenting with TUDCA.

Pricing, subscriptions, and shipping

Double Wood has the best discounts out of any of our recommended products in this guide. It offers a 20% subscription discount, plus a multi‑bottle bundle discount (29% off for 2 bottles; 35% off for 3). Additionally, these discounts can be stacked together. Here’s how it breaks down below:

Total costBottlesPer‑bottle costCost per 500mg
One‑time, single bottle$27.951$27.95$0.93
Subscription (20% off)$22.361$22.36$0.75
2‑pack (29% bundle, one‑time)$49.952$24.98$0.83
2‑pack with subscription$39.962$19.98$0.67
3‑pack (35% bundle, one‑time)$67.953$33.98$0.76
3‑pack with subscription$54.363$27.18$0.60

Double Wood also offers free shipping on all U.S. orders, so there aren’t too many surprises upon checkout.

Refunds and guarantees

Double Wood offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on the first bottle of any supplement, including TUDCA. That means if you try a bottle and decide it’s not for you, Double Wood will refund the purchase amount — no questions asked.

If you order a multi-pack, the policy still applies: you can keep the first bottle, but you’ll need to return the remaining unopened bottles (at your expense) to receive a refund.

The 30-day window is shorter than some brands (Vinatura offers 90 days), but for TUDCA, a month of consistent use is typically enough to determine GI tolerance. For most people, Double Wood’s policy should provide enough time to decide if the supplement fits into their routine.

However, effectiveness might be harder to gauge in 30 days. While some trials have seen results within four weeks, others have taken almost six months to show impact.

Bulk Supplements TUDCA Powder

Best powder

Bulk Supplements

Photo by Innerbody Research

Pros

  • Lowest per-serving cost when purchased in large quantities (100g+)
  • Offers flexible dosing and titration (powder form)
  • Produced in NSF-certified, FDA-registered, cGMP-compliant facility
  • Multiple bag sizes available (10g, 25g, 100g, 500g)
  • Vegan

Cons

  • Powder requires measuring — less convenient than capsules
  • Bitter or medicinal taste for some users
  • 30-day return window; only unopened bags are eligible for a full refund
  • Higher shipping costs unless the order exceeds $59

Bulk Supplements has built a reputation as a reliable supplier of raw ingredients, offering everything from amino acids to herbal extracts in its simple white pouches. The company operates out of an NSF-certified, FDA-registered, and cGMP-compliant facility in Nevada. While Bulk Supplements does offer supplements in capsules, it specializes in producing powders, appealing to customers who want dosing flexibility and the best cost per gram.

Its TUDCA powder fits this mold. The product is vegan, additive-free, and unflavored, making it suitable for those who want maximum control over dosage. That flexibility comes with trade-offs: you’ll need your own measuring spoon or sensitive scale, and the taste is notably bitter and medicinal. Testers found it hard to take, with the flavor lingering and difficult to mask in plain water. Mixing it into juice or another strongly flavored liquid can help, though those especially sensitive to bitterness may prefer the capsule form for convenience.

Still, for anyone planning a long-term regimen or high-dose use under medical guidance, Bulk Supplements can be the most economical way to go.

Pricing, subscriptions, and shipping

Bulk Supplements offers TUDCA powder in multiple bag sizes, with the price per serving scaling down as you buy more. Here’s how the cost works out, using a 500mg serving standard for comparison:

10g25g50g100g
Price (one-time)$18.97$26.97$38.97$67.97
Servings (500mg)2050100200
Price per 500mg$0.95$0.54$0.39$0.34
Subscription price (10% off)$17.07$24.27$35.07$61.17
Subscription price per 500mg$0.85$0.49$0.35$0.31

At smaller sizes, Bulk Supplements isn’t always cheaper than capsule competitors. But once you reach the 100g bag, it delivers the lowest per-serving price on our list — around $0.31 with a subscription. That makes it a bit cheaper than our budget pick, Vinatura ($0.34 per 500mg), and the most economical choice for long-term users willing to measure powder.

Orders under $59 incur about $9.95 in shipping fees — the highest cost in this guide. Orders of $59 or more ship free, which usually means the 100g bag or a combination of products.

Bulk Supplements offers flexible subscriptions, with delivery options ranging from every month to every six months. For TUDCA, this makes the 100g bag subscription somewhat practical, since it provides just over three months of supply at 500mg per day.

Refunds and guarantees

Refunds are one of Bulk Supplements’ weakest areas. The company offers a 30-day return window, but refunds only apply to unopened bags, and partial refunds may apply for opened products, but only at the smallest product size. Meaning you’ll only be refunded at most $18.97 for your TUDCA order, even if you purchased a 100g bag for $67.97. There’s no satisfaction guarantee.

That stands in stark contrast to Vinatura’s 90-day no-return-needed guarantee or even Double Wood’s more limited 30-day satisfaction policy. Here is the trade-off: with Bulk Supplements, you get the best price per serving in large quantities, but assume more of the risk as a buyer. For people who have already tried capsule-based TUDCA and know it works for them, Bulk Supplements can be a cost-effective way to stock up and save over time.

Alternatives to TUDCA supplements

You might be looking for options that approach liver support from different angles, or for nutrients that could be used alongside TUDCA without duplicating its bile-acid–focused mechanisms. The entries below summarize where the best evidence sits and how each differs from TUDCA.

UDCA (ursodeoxycholic acid)

UDCA is a prescription-only bile acid that doctors often use to treat conditions like PBC and some types of gallstones.

It’s closely related to TUDCA — your liver can actually attach a molecule of taurine to UDCA to make TUDCA. This small chemical change makes the bile acid more water-friendly, which helps it protect cells and improve bile flow. Because they act in similar ways, UDCA and TUDCA sometimes overlap in liver care, but UDCA is only available under medical supervision.

Milk thistle (silymarin)

Milk thistle is one of the most widely studied herbs for liver health. Research shows it can lead to small but sometimes meaningful improvements in liver enzyme levels, though results vary depending on the dose, product quality, and the group of people studied.

Unlike TUDCA, which works through bile acids, milk thistle acts mainly as an antioxidant and helps limit scar tissue formation in the liver. That difference in mechanism is why you’ll sometimes see the two combined in the same formula — TUDCA for bile flow and cellular stress, and milk thistle for oxidative and fibrotic stress. One caution: people with ragweed or daisy allergies (the same plant family as milk thistle) may be more likely to react negatively.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC)

NAC is known as the supplement form of a hospital antidote: doctors give it intravenously to save the liver from an acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose. It works by restoring glutathione, one of the body’s most important antioxidants. Clinical trials have also shown NAC can improve survival in some patients with other types of acute liver failure when given early.

As a supplement, NAC doesn’t affect bile flow the way TUDCA does. Instead, it supports the liver by fighting oxidative stress. That difference means the two can be complementary — TUDCA handling bile-related stress, while NAC shores up antioxidant defenses.

Choline

Choline is an essential nutrient that your liver uses to package and move fat out of the liver by making phosphatidylcholine and very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL). In controlled feeding studies, when people don’t get enough choline, fat quickly builds up in the liver and even causes muscle damage — but those changes reverse once choline is restored.

Unlike TUDCA, which works through bile acids, choline supports fat metabolism and export. That makes it more of a long-term, foundational nutrient than an acute liver therapy. Still, the two can complement each other: TUDCA helps keep bile acids balanced, while choline helps keep fat moving out of the liver.

TUDCA FAQ

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