TUDCA Reduces ER Stress and Reverses Hepatic Insulin Resistance
Science (2006)
Reversed ER stress, restored insulin signaling, normalized glucose in obese insulin-resistant mice.
How it works
Marek's Guided Optimization® Program combines advanced lab testing, a dedicated health coach and medical provider, and a personalized treatment plan, all built around your data.
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The process
1
Start your assessment
Complete your 45-min intake assessment
2
Get your labs drawn
4,000 partnered lab locations nationwide
3
Review with your coach
Screen-by-screen lab review
4
Receive your protocol
Treatment delivered to your door
Why Marek
The only program pairing you with a dedicated health coach and medical provider, built on precision diagnostics, with no subscription required.
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Meet our co-founder
Derek
Co-Founder · MPMD Podcast
"Over time, I found it incredibly difficult to get medical oversight for myself and my family that reflected the latest research, and that was preventative. That's why I started Marek Health."
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What we test
Every client's lab panel is hand-selected from 1,000+ available biomarkers, built around their specific goals.
Panel categories
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Treatments
700+ medical provider-prescribed therapies built from your labs. Browse by category or explore the full formulary.
TUDCA (Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid)
Oral capsule (250mg)Available in all 50 statesMarketing purposes only. Actual medications, if prescribed, are dispensed by a licensed pharmacy.
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TUDCA (Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid)TUDCA (Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid)
Taurine conjugate of UDCA with greater cytoprotection and bioavailability. Uniquely functions as an ER stress inhibitor (chemical chaperone) with demonstrated neuroprotective and insulin-sensitizing effects beyond liver protection.
Potent ER stress inhibition (unique)
Greater hepatocyte protection than UDCA
Insulin sensitization via ER stress reduction
Neuroprotective across multiple models
No commitment · HSA/FSA eligibleNo commitment · HSA/FSA eligible
How it works
Mechanism of action
Shares UDCA mechanisms plus potent chemical chaperone activity, stabilizes misfolded proteins, facilitates proper folding, and attenuates the unfolded protein response (UPR). Reduces ER stress which drives T2DM, neurodegeneration, and NASH.
The baseline panel.
Every Marek client receives this baseline panel before a provider review. Your provider may add additional biomarkers based on your health history, symptoms, and goals, pulling from 1,000+ available markers. See more biomarkers →
Hormone Profile
12 markers
Sex hormones
- Total TestosteroneLC/MS
- Free TestosteroneEquilibrium Dialysis
- Estradiol, Sensitive / UltrasensitiveLC/MS
- Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
- ProgesteroneLC/MSFemale panel
- Prolactin
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- hCG, Total, QuantitativeFemale panel, pre-menopause
Adrenals & neurosteroids
- Cortisol
- DHEA-S
Growth hormone / IGF-1
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-1)
Thyroid Status
3 markers
Thyroid hormones
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Free T4
- Free T3
Heart Health
9 markers
Cardiovascular health
- Total Cholesterol
- HDL Cholesterol
- LDL Cholesterol
- LDL:HDL Ratio
- VLDL Cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Apolipoprotein-B (ApoB)
- C-Reactive Protein, High Sensitivity (hsCRP)
- Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a))
Metabolism
3 markers
Insulin sensitivity
- Blood Glucose
- Fasting Insulin
- HbA1c
Organ Function
26 markers
Liver & pancreas
- AST
- ALT
- Bilirubin, Total
- γ-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)
Kidney function
- BUN
- Creatinine w/ eGFR
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- Glucose
- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
- Creatinine
- eGFR
- BUN/Creatinine Ratio
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
- Carbon Dioxide, Total
- Calcium
- Protein, Total
- Albumin
- Globulin, Total
- Albumin/Globulin (A/G) Ratio
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
- AST
- ALT
Prostate health
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)Male panel
- Free PSAMale panel
- % Free PSAMale panel
Nutrient Status
31 markers
Vitamins & minerals
- Vitamin D, 25-OHD (25-Hydroxy)
- Magnesium, RBC
Iron status
- Iron
- Iron Saturation
- TIBC
- UIBC
- Ferritin
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- White Blood Count (WBC)
- Red Blood Count (RBC)
- Hemoglobin (Hgb)
- Hematocrit (HCT)
- MCV
- MCH
- MCHC
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
- Platelets
- Neutrophils
- Neutrophils (Absolute)
- Lymphocytes
- Lymphocytes (Absolute)
- Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio
- Monocytes
- Monocytes (Absolute)
- Eosinophils
- Eosinophils (Absolute)
- Basophils
- Basophils (Absolute)
- Immature Cells
- Immature Granulocytes
- Immature Granulocytes (Absolute)
- NRBC, w/ Reflex for Immature Cells
Clinical evidence
The research behind TUDCA (Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid).
TUDCA Is Neuroprotective in the SOD1 ALS Model
Nature (2007)
Delayed disease onset, extended survival, and preserved motor neurons in ALS mice.
Safety profile
Monitoring & safety information.
Commonly reported side effects
- GI discomfort (less than UDCA)
- Loose stools
- Nausea (rare)
Less common but serious risks
- Limited long-term human safety data beyond liver indication
Generally not appropriate for
- Bile duct obstruction
- Acute cholecystitis
- Pregnancy
Typical monitoring
- Liver function tests
- GI symptoms
- HbA1c (if used for insulin sensitization)
FAQ
Quick answers.
Taurine conjugate of UDCA with greater cytoprotection and bioavailability. Uniquely functions as an ER stress inhibitor (chemical chaperone) with demonstrated neuroprotective and insulin-sensitizing effects beyond liver protection.
Potent ER stress inhibition (unique). Greater hepatocyte protection than UDCA. Insulin sensitization via ER stress reduction. Neuroprotective across multiple models.
Common side effects include: gi discomfort (less than udca), loose stools, nausea (rare). Most side effects are dose-dependent and may resolve with continued use or dose adjustment.
Taurine conjugate of UDCA with greater cytoprotection and bioavailability. Uniquely functions as an ER stress inhibitor (chemical chaperone) with demonstrated neuroprotective and insulin-sensitizing effects beyond liver protection.
Treatments are dependent on licensed clinical prescription. Client costs vary based on individual labs and panel in treatments and services.