Side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, interactions, and stacking potential.
| DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) | TUDCA (Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Supplements | Supplements |
| Standard Dose | 25-50mg daily (men); 10-25mg daily (women) | 250-500mg daily |
| Timing | Morning (mimics natural circadian peak). With food. | With meals for liver support. Some protocols recommend before meals to prime bile flow. |
| Cycle Duration | Ongoing under supervision with regular blood monitoring (DHEA-S, testosterone, estradiol, PSA in men) | Cycle 4-8 weeks for liver support; ongoing at low dose for chronic liver conditions under supervision |
| Evidence Level | moderate_human | Moderate-Strong |
DHEA is the most abundant circulating steroid hormone, produced primarily by the adrenal zona reticularis. It serves as a precursor for both androgens (testosterone, DHT via 3beta-HSD and 17beta-HSD) and estrogens (estradiol, estrone via aromatase). DHEA-S (sulfated form) acts as a neurosteroid, positively modulating NMDA receptors and antagonizing GABA-A receptors (cognitive enhancement/alertness). It also modulates immune function (enhances Th1 immunity, IL-2 production), supports bone mineral density via estrogenic metabolites, enhances insulin sensitivity via PPAR-alpha activation, and opposes cortisol's catabolic effects (DHEA:cortisol ratio is a stress/aging biomarker).
25-50mg daily (men); 10-25mg daily (women)
Morning (mimics natural circadian peak). With food.
Ongoing under supervision with regular blood monitoring (DHEA-S, testosterone, estradiol, PSA in men)
TUDCA is a water-soluble bile acid conjugate (taurine + ursodeoxycholic acid) with potent hepatoprotective and cytoprotective properties. It inhibits the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis by preventing BAX translocation to mitochondria and cytochrome c release. TUDCA reduces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by acting as a chemical chaperone, assisting protein folding and reducing the unfolded protein response (UPR). It protects hepatocytes by stabilizing cell membranes, displacing toxic hydrophobic bile acids (chenodeoxycholic, lithocholic) from biliary epithelium, and promoting choleresis (bile flow). Additionally, it has neuroprotective effects via reduction of ER stress in neurons and modulation of the TGR5 bile acid receptor.
250-500mg daily
With meals for liver support. Some protocols recommend before meals to prime bile flow.
Cycle 4-8 weeks for liver support; ongoing at low dose for chronic liver conditions under supervision
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