TUDCA is considered a liver savior. During steroid use, liver protection becomes even more crucial as the liver is highly susceptible to damage.
TUDCA is the chosen solution for many people who want to take care of their health. This raises the question: what is the appropriate dosage of TUDCA during steroid use?
How should we use TUDCA to ensure the best results? Let's explore this topic further.
Key Takeaways
- TUDCA can help protect the liver from damage during steroid use.
- The typical effective dose of TUDCA is around 100 mg/day.
- The safe, low dose of TUDCA you can use is around 10 - 13 mg/day.
- The duration for using TUDCA on cycle is from the first day of the cycle to the end of the post-cycle therapy (PCT) period.
Why Should You Use TUDCA During A Steroid Cycle?
Liver Damage Caused By Steroids
Steroids have long been proven to increase muscle size and strength. They can be absorbed orally, leading to adverse effects on the body.
The liver is the most affected organ by steroids. Steroid use slows down liver detoxification processes and increases liver toxicity [1]. Those using high doses may experience symptoms such as elevated liver enzymes, cholestasis, chronic vascular injuries, liver tumors, and fatty liver disease.
The liver works tirelessly to metabolize everything that enters our bodies.
Prolonged accumulation of steroid by-products can lead to other health issues, as mentioned above.
So, what should we do to protect the liver during steroid use? Here are two approaches:
- Use Minimal Steroid Dosages for Short Periods: This helps the body maintain balance. However, if long-term steroid use is necessary, this method may not be feasible.
- Use Liver Support Supplements like TUDCA: This can help strengthen the liver, aiding in the metabolism of stubborn substances and enhancing liver detoxification processes.
Choosing one of these methods can minimize the harmful effects of steroids on the body. If you come across a third, more effective method, feel free to apply it and share your suggestion below for everyone's benefit.
- Related Article: How Long After Taking Tudca Can I Drink Alcohol?
Benefits Of TUDCA For Liver Protection
As mentioned above, TUDCA is a dietary supplement that supports and protects liver function throughout steroid use. To list the benefits of TUDCA for the liver, we can imagine it as follows: protecting the liver - minimizing risks - enhancing liver function.
TUDCA protects the liver from harmful factors, minimizes the risk of liver disease, and subsequently helps the liver enhance its functions.
First, protecting the liver
The product helps protect the liver from the effects of toxins and promotes liver detoxification. It also enhances the liver's resilience to damage.
TUDCA can reduce ER stress, prevent apoptosis, restore mitochondrial membrane potential, protect the liver from toxicity, and regulate apoptotic-related proteins [2].
Additionally, TUDCA can increase the expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs).
If you're unfamiliar, HSPs are responsible for protecting cells from stress. They help maintain protein structure and function, prevent protein misfolding, and aid in the recovery of damaged proteins.
Increased HSP promotes cell division and growth, accelerates cell regeneration, maintains tissue health and function, and speeds up wound healing.
Next, TUDCA minimizes the risk of chronic liver diseases
TUDCA reduces the risk of liver-related diseases such as hepatitis, fatty liver, cholestasis, and cirrhosis. TUDCA inhibits the activity of Kupffer cells (KCs) and reduces inflammatory cytokines, thereby minimizing liver damage [3].
TUDCA is one of the leading substances supporting liver function, effectively lowering liver enzymes.
A study showed that using TUDCA for three months significantly reduced levels of liver enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in patients with chronic active hepatitis [4].
Finally, TUDCA enhances liver functions
One of the causes of harm during steroid use is liver cholestasis, which can severely affect liver health. Conveniently, TUDCA can help reduce the risk of cholestasis.
A study demonstrated that TUDCA could inhibit the absorption and synthesis of lipids in the small intestine by improving gut microbiota, thus reducing gallstone formation [5].
Another benefit of using TUDCA is improving insulin sensitivity in the liver and muscles [6].
This effect helps control blood sugar levels and offers numerous health benefits, such as reducing the risk of fatty liver, diabetes, obesity, and more.
Many studies have shown that TUDCA improves liver function in patients with cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis related to HCV, and cholestasis. TUDCA can also significantly reduce serum liver enzymes [7].
In summary, TUDCA promises to be a familiar ally for those preparing for or currently using steroids.
How Much TUDCA Dosage on Cycle Should You Take?
Commonly Used Dosage
The typical dosage of TUDCA ranges from about 10-13 mg/day to improve liver regeneration rates in individuals with chronic liver disease or about 750 mg/day in patients with cirrhosis [7].
In studies investigating the effects of TUDCA on cholesterol reduction, dosages of approximately 1000 or 1500 mg/day were used. For instance, in a study involving 24 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, high doses of TUDCA reduced total cholesterol and HDL [7].
Another study on TUDCA dosages indicated that doses higher than 1000 mg/day yielded positive results [8].
A report summarized the appropriate dosage of TUDCA as approximately 10 mg/kg of body weight per day [9]. For example, if a patient weighs 70 kg, the recommended dosage of TUDCA would be about 700 mg daily to achieve the best therapeutic effect.
Doctor's Consultation is Crucial
While this calculation method ensures that TUDCA is effective for your body, I must EMPHASIZE that you need a doctor’s opinion to ensure that your body can TOLERATE the impact of TUDCA on you. Therefore, you need a doctor's advice before using TUDCA to ensure maximum safety.
Availability
TUDCA is now available as a dietary supplement, and you can easily find and purchase it in stores, on e-commerce platforms, or on various online shopping websites.
Typically, manufacturers design TUDCA dosages ranging from 500 mg to 1500 mg. The most common dosage is about 1000 mg/day. These products are often combined with other medicinal ingredients to provide more benefits.
Caution Against Overuse
As with any supplement, overdosing can have adverse effects on the body. Overusing TUDCA can lead to severe side effects, especially concerning the digestive system, which would be the most heavily impacted.
Precautions When Using TUDCA
Usage Timing
When using TUDCA during a steroid cycle, the timing can be divided into the starting and ending periods.
Starting Period
The optimal time for those using steroids to begin taking TUDCA is from the very first day of the cycle. Starting TUDCA immediately helps minimize potential damage and protects the liver from negative impacts from the outset.
Ending Period
The appropriate time to stop using TUDCA is at the end of the Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) phase. After completing the steroid cycle, the body needs time to recover and rebalance.
PCT is critical for supporting the body in recovery and maintaining the benefits achieved during the steroid cycle. During PCT, the liver must process the remaining compounds from the steroid cycle.
TUDCA helps reduce stress and helps the liver recover its functions more quickly, optimizing the steroid cycle's effectiveness.
Side Effects
Some individuals may experience unwanted side effects when using TUDCA, but these typically disappear after discontinuing the supplement.
Potential side effects include:
- Diarrhea: This is a common side effect, especially when taking doses higher than those recommended by doctors or supplement manufacturers. When the body ingests a large amount of TUDCA, the digestive system may respond by increasing activity, leading to loose stools and diarrhea.
- Digestive Discomfort: This includes bloating and stomach pain, as the stomach and intestines may struggle to absorb and process TUDCA.
- Nausea and Dizziness: Although rare, these can occur, particularly in individuals sensitive to TUDCA’s components.
Dosage Tips
If you experience mild side effects during steroid use, consider reducing the dosage to see if symptoms improve. If there is no improvement, seek assistance from medical professionals or doctors.
Instead of taking a large dose at once, you can split the dose into smaller amounts throughout the day. This helps the digestive system adapt and process TUDCA more effectively, reducing the risk of side effects.
Another suggestion is to take TUDCA after meals to minimize nausea and stomach discomfort, as food can help mitigate the direct impact of TUDCA on the stomach lining.
TUDCA Alternative During On Cycle
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 helps improve inflammation and liver biochemical functions. It is also an antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative stress, ensuring the liver operates efficiently.
N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC)
NAC is an effective liver detox solution. Due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, NAC is also used to treat other liver conditions.
Milk Thistle (Silymarin)
Milk thistle contains silymarin, which protects and regenerates liver cells, preventing toxins from penetrating the liver. Additionally, silymarin reduces inflammation and acts as an antioxidant, making it a natural solution for liver protection.
Nowadays, many people compare the effectiveness of TUDCA and milk thistle for liver and bile health, assessing which is better with fewer side effects. While milk thistle is an herb used in traditional medicine and extensively studied in scientific research, TUDCA is a promising new compound.
Notably, TUDCA can also be combined with milk thistle to enhance effectiveness. However, due to safety concerns, combining these two ingredients at home is not recommended. Therefore, it is better to seek out dietary supplement products that combine them to improve liver and bile health effectively and safely.
Conclusion
Protecting the liver during steroid use is crucial as the process can be harmful to the liver. TUDCA is an effective solution for liver protection during steroid use.
However, it should be used in the correct dosage and ideally under expert guidance. Don’t overlook TUDCA if you are looking for a solution to prepare for steroid use.
