Description
Bile salts are one of the primary components of bile, a crucial fluid needed to digest fats, aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, eliminate waste products and aid in the formation of hormones. Bile and bile salts are made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder between meals. Inadequate bile salts can result in poorly digested fats passing through the digestive tract causing flatulence, cramping, loose bowel movements and eventually an increased risk of gallstone formation.
Tauroursodeoxycholic acid, most commonly referred to as TUDCA, is a conjugated bile salt that can support both gallbladder and liver health. Specifically, TUDCA has been shown to be a safe and effective support for patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a chronic autoimmune disease that causes bile to accumulate in the liver, and it may safeguard the liver from damage in liver cirrhosis caused by long-term alcohol consumption. TUDCA was also shown to slow the progression of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in mice fed a high-fat diet by lessening gut inflammation, improving intestinal barrier function, decreasing intestinal fat transport and modulating intestinal microbiota composition. A separate study in mice also found that TUDCA could potentially hinder the development of gallstones by reducing the absorption of fat in the intestinal tract.
While TUDCA’s role in liver and gallbladder health may appear more obvious, TUDCA also has a unique mechanism of action outside of bile support. TUDCA has been demonstrated to relieve endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress within cells thereby improving protein folding and cellular signaling outputs. TUDCA’s ability to reduce ER stress extends its potential health benefits beyond liver health to a wide variety of chronic diseases that have demonstrated ER stress. Mechanistically, TUDCA also provides cellular protection by better-regulating apoptosis.
One of the greatest applications of TUDCA’s cellular protective role is in the area of neurological health. Animal studies have found that TUDCA serves as a neuroprotectant against acute injuries such as stroke, as well as chronic neurodegenerative diseases.
TUDCA also shows promise in reversing metabolic disorders caused by excessive body fat and malnutrition. In fact, TUDCA was found to improve insulin sensitivity significantly in both liver tissue and muscles. In one study with aged mice, TUDCA lowered hyperinsulinemia and improved glucose regulation by enhancing the liver’s ability to break down insulin. Lastly, TUDCA has also demonstrated protection against cell death in retinitis pigmentos and defence against renal fibrosis, and even cardioprotective function by lowering scar tissue, cell death and heart damage in mice hearts under increased pressure.+
TUDCA by CytoMatrix combines 250mg of Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) and 75mg of additional choline to optimally support liver health, microbiome balance, metabolism and neurological health. Choline, like TUDCA, is also essential for making bile and aiding in the removal of cholesterol from the liver. TUDCA by CytoMatrix delivers choline as VitaCholine®, a patented and clinically studied choline bitartrate salt. VitaCholine® offers a relatively high amount of elemental choline, rapidly dissolving and becoming available in the body as free choline without the need for enzymatic liberation. VitaCholine® also supports neurological function, cognition and liver health through the production of phosphatidylcholine, bile, acetylcholine and betaine.
Ingredients:
Unit of Measure above: Each vegetable capsule
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Licorice (root, Glycyrrhiza glabra) standardized to 20% glycyrrhizin | 250mg |
| White Peony (root, Paeonia lactiflora) standardized to 10% paeoniflorin | 175mg |
| Stinging Nettle (root, Urtica dioica) | 75mg |
| Spearmint (leaf, Mentha spicata) 4:1 extract equivalent to 200mg of dry leaf | 50mg |
| Cinnamon (branch and shoot bark, Cinnamomum verum) 10:1 extract equivalent to 375mg of dry bark | 37.5mg |
| Reishi (fruiting body, Ganoderma lucidum) 10:1 extract equivalent to 375mg of dry fruit, standardized to 30% polysaccharides | 37.5mg |
| Vitex (fruit, Vitex agnus-castus) 12:1 extract equivalent to 120mg of dry fruit | 10mg |
Indications:
Used in Herbal Medicine as a liver tonic. Used in Herbal Medicine as an adaptogen to increase energy and resistance to stress (in case of mental and physical fatigue related to stress). Used in Herbal Medicine to support the immune system. Ganoderma lucidum is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM to nourish the heart and strengthen qi and blood to treat heart and spleen deficiencies that manifest in insomnia, forgetfulness, fatigue, listlessness and poor appetite.
Directions for Use:
Adults (18 years and older) – Take 2 capsules, 2 times per day. Take with food to avoid digestive upset. Consult a healthcare professional for use beyond 4-6 weeks.
Cautions:
Do not use this product if • you are pregnant • you are breastfeeding • you are attempting to conceive unless you have consulted with a health care professional • you have excessive bleeding during menstruation • you have hypokalemia • you have high blood pressure • you have a kidney disorder • you have a cardiovascular disorder. Do not use this product if you are taking • thiazide diuretics • cardiac glycosides • corticosteroids • stimulant laxatives • other medications which may aggravate electrolyte imbalance. Consult a healthcare practitioner prior to use if • you have diabetes • you have a liver disorder • you are experiencing deficiency • you are experiencing cold. Consult a healthcare professional prior to use if you are taking hormone-containing medications such as • progesterone preparations • oral contraceptives • hormone replacement therapy. Stop use if • hypersensitivity/allergy occurs. Consult a healthcare practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen. Keep out of reach of children.
