Liver Protection (TUDCA, Milk Thistle)

Many anabolic steroids—especially 17α-alkylated oral compounds—pose a risk to liver health. To mitigate hepatotoxicity, bodybuilders often use liver support supplements. Two of the most commonly used compounds are:

TUDCA (Tauroursodeoxycholic acid)
Milk Thistle (Silymarin)

Other compounds such as NAC and Liv.52 are also used, but this entry focuses on the most widely recommended options.

Why Is Liver Protection Necessary?

Oral anabolic steroids like Superdrol, Winstrol, Anadrol, and Dianabol are modified at the C-17α position to survive first-pass liver metabolism. This increases bioavailability but places heavy stress on the liver.

Signs of liver stress may include:

Elevated ALT and AST (liver enzymes)
Fatigue
Nausea or digestive discomfort
Jaundice (in extreme cases)

Bloodwork is the only reliable way to assess hepatotoxicity. Monitoring ALT, AST, GGT, and bilirubin is strongly advised during and after oral cycles.

TUDCA: The Gold Standard

TUDCA (Tauroursodeoxycholic acid) is a bile acid that protects liver cells by reducing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and promoting bile flow.

Benefits:

Clinically proven to treat cholestasis
Reduces liver enzyme elevation
Protects hepatocyte membranes
Non-toxic and well-tolerated

Compound	Recommended Dose	Timing	Notes
TUDCA	250–1,000 mg daily	On-cycle (especially with orals)	Best taken with food for absorption

User anecdotes and clinical evidence suggest TUDCA is the most effective liver protection compound available for steroid users.

Milk Thistle: Traditional Support

Milk Thistle (active ingredient: silymarin) is a herbal antioxidant that protects the liver by scavenging free radicals and stabilizing liver cell membranes.

Benefits:

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
May aid liver regeneration
Mild protective effect on liver enzymes

Limitations:

Poor oral bioavailability
Evidence for use in preventing steroid-induced hepatotoxicity is weak
More useful for general liver health than high-stress oral cycles

Compound	Recommended Dose	Timing	Notes
Milk Thistle (Silymarin)	300–600 mg daily	Off-cycle or as background support	Better as preventive/tonic support, not standalone for oral cycles

Other Common Liver Support Compounds

NAC (N-acetylcysteine) – Glutathione precursor; antioxidant support
Liv.52 – Ayurvedic blend; anecdotally popular but clinically weak
UDCA – The prescription counterpart to TUDCA, similar effect
Choline & Inositol – Old-school support, low efficacy

When to Use Liver Support

Situation	Recommendation
Running oral AAS	Use TUDCA daily during the cycle
Post-cycle or TRT	Optional Milk Thistle or NAC
Injectables only	Liver support not typically required, but NAC is optional
High liver enzymes on bloodwork	TUDCA strongly advised; discontinue orals immediately

Note:

Using multiple liver supports (e.g., TUDCA + NAC) is common, especially with harsh orals
Even “milder” orals like Anavar and Turinabol can elevate liver enzymes

Bodybuilder Advice (from r/steroids PDF)

“TUDCA saved my labs during a Superdrol run—AST/ALT were triple before, then normalized.”
“Milk thistle is fine for general use but useless for Superdrol or Halo.”
“NAC and TUDCA is the best combo I’ve used—never saw enzymes above range.”
“If your orals are working, your liver is hurting. Period.”

Summary

TUDCA is the most effective liver protection for oral steroid users
Milk Thistle has general liver support benefits but lacks potency
Use TUDCA on-cycle, especially with methylated oral AAS
Monitor liver enzymes with bloodwork regularly
Stack with NAC for enhanced antioxidant support

Protecting liver health is essential for anyone using oral AAS. Failure to do so can result in serious medical complications and long-term damage.