Clinical Gut Health Intelligence
Providing the latest research on the original De Simone Formulation (CDS22) and high-potency microbiome support in the UK. All content is clinically reviewed to ensure accuracy for patients and healthcare professionals.
The UK’s Specialist Hub for Probiotic Evidence & Gut Health Research
Welcome to the Probiotics UK & Gut Health Knowledge Hub, the central resource for evidence-based research on the original De Simone Formulation (CDS22). This hub provides UK readers, patients, and healthcare professionals with clinical guides, high-potency strain comparisons, and the latest gastroenterology updates dispatched from our Lancashire facility.
Probiotic.co.uk publishes UK-focused guides on probiotics, microbiome science, and digestive health. Articles reference guidance from the NHS, UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) regulations on food supplements, and peer-reviewed clinical research in gastroenterology and microbiome science where relevant.
Our editorial focus includes probiotics for IBS, ulcerative colitis, pouchitis, antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, microbiome restoration after antibiotics, and general digestive health support. Many guides discuss the Original De Simone Formulation (CDS22), a high-strength probiotic formulation studied in more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific publications.
Content is written for UK readers and reflects UK supplement regulations, NHS clinical pathways, and real-world patient questions commonly seen in gastroenterology practice. From our cold-chain facility in Chorley, Lancashire, we monitor developments in gut microbiome research and translate emerging science into clear guidance for clinicians, pharmacists, and informed consumers across the UK.
Probiotic.co.uk publishes independent, evidence-led guides for UK readers on probiotics, gut health, and food supplements. Every guide cites named published research, references NHS and FSA guidance where relevant, and is written specifically for the UK market. Probiotic.co.uk is the sole exclusive distributor of CDS22-formula for the United Kingdom and Ireland and is not a neutral party on that subject. Food supplements are not medicines and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
- What the Clinical Guidelines Say About the De Simone Formulation: The AGA Pouchitis Guideline ExplainedThe AGA 2024 pouchitis guideline (Barnes et al., Gastroenterology, PMID 38128971) names the De Simone Formulation for preventing recurrent pouchitis: 87% lower relapse over 12 months across 3 RCTs, a conditional recommendation on low-certainty evidence. Verified PMIDs and the AGA vs ACG distinction clarified.
- VSL#3 Alternatives in the UK: The De Simone Formulation ExplainedECCO stated in October 2023 that the De Simone Formulation was sold under the VSL#3 brand until 2016 and that the product sold as VSL#3 after 2016 no longer contains it. Covers the brand history, the US false-advertising findings, and the eight NCIMB-coded strains on the current CDS22-formula UK label.
- De Simone Formulation UK: Timeline, Strains, AvailabilityThe eight strains mapped from their pre-2016 species names to the NCIMB deposit codes on the current CDS22-formula label (NCIMB 30435 to 30442), a timeline drawn from published sources, and a method for verifying formulation identity by strain rather than brand name.
- What Happened to Vivomixx Probiotic? Is It Still Available in the UK?Vivomixx 450 was discontinued by Mendes SA in 2025. Mendes SA now markets Vivomixx Neo, which it presents as a separate product. Covers the brand history and what is on the UK market now.
- CDS22-formula at BSG LIVE'26 in LiverpoolA factual update on exhibiting at the British Society of Gastroenterology's annual congress at ACC Liverpool, 22 to 25 June 2026. Exhibiting at a congress is not an endorsement by the British Society of Gastroenterology.
- The Ultimate Guide to Probiotics in the UK: Benefits, Types & How to ChooseNamed clinical trials (Hill 2014, Ford 2018, Gionchetti 2000), FSA regulatory framework, five-point evaluation checklist, strain types, CFU guidance, and FAQ for UK readers.
- Clinical Probiotics UK: Evidence Guide — Symprove, Alflorex, Optibac, Bio-Kult & CDS22-formula ComparedWhat "clinical grade" actually means, why CFU count is not a measure of efficacy, and the five most-discussed UK options compared by strain identity and published RCT data. Includes FSA regulatory status and a signs-of-response timeline.
- Best Probiotic for UC, IBS & Pouchitis: Evidence-Based UK GuideThe published randomised trials by condition, including Gionchetti 2000 and Mimura 2004 in pouchitis, Sood 2009 and Tursi 2010 in ulcerative colitis, and the AGA 2024 pouchitis guideline.
- Probiotics for Ulcerative Colitis UK: What the Evidence Actually SaysWhat the published randomised trials report in ulcerative colitis, including Sood 2009 and Tursi 2010, alongside the limitations the guidelines themselves attach to that evidence.
- Probiotics for Bloating UK: What the Clinical Evidence Actually ShowsWhat the published trials report on abdominal bloating in IBS populations, including Kim et al. (Mayo Clinic, 2003 and 2005), and what that evidence does and does not establish.
- Signs Probiotics Are Working: A UK Evidence Guide — What to Expect and WhenTiming benchmarks drawn from published RCTs: Whorwell 2006 measured IBS improvement at 4 weeks, Gionchetti 2000 measured pouchitis remission at 9 months. Covers signs by body system, by use case, and signs a probiotic is not working for you.
- High-Strength Probiotics UK: CFU, Strains, Safety and How to ChooseWhat "high strength" means in CFU terms, why a higher number is not automatically better, how to read a label by strain and deposit code, and the safety context for people who are immunocompromised.
- Probiotics & Gut Health: Why High-Potency Formulas Might Help IBS and BloatingWhat the published trials report on multi-strain, high-CFU formulations in IBS and bloating populations, and why a dose used in a clinical trial is not the same as a retail serving.
- Probiotics After Antibiotics (UK): Can You Take Them Together?2-hour gap rule recommended. Continue 7-14 days post-course. Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea risk 5-30%. Evidence reviewed for Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii with NHS and FSA context.
- Intensive Bowel Support (UK): What It Means, When It's Used, and What Clinical Research ShowsWhat the phrase means in UK consumer search, what counts as high strength in CFU terms, what published research has examined and in which populations, and the UK rules on nutrition and health claims.
- Best Probiotics in the UK: A Pharmacy-Grade Guide to Choosing the Right OnePharmacy-grade criteria applied to CDS22-formula, Symprove, Optibac, and Alflorex. Covers strain specificity, CFU viability, storage requirements, antibiotic timing, and NHS and FSA regulatory guidance.
- Top 20 UK Probiotic Questions Answered — Benefits, Timing & TipsTwenty evidence-based answers covering probiotic strain selection, CFU requirements, refrigeration, antibiotic timing, IBS protocols, and the published history of the De Simone Formulation for UK readers.
- Top 50 Gut Health Facts & FAQs (UK Edition)Fifty evidence-referenced gut health facts covering microbiome diversity, probiotic strain specificity, IBS triggers, ulcerative colitis management, and the published history of the De Simone Formulation. Sourced from ECCO guidelines and Cochrane reviews.
- The 3 Best Probiotic Strains for General Health & Digestive WellnessWhich individual strains carry the strongest published human trial evidence, why deposit codes matter more than species names, and how to check a label against the literature.
- Candida-Killing Diet: Part 1 — Foods to AvoidCovers dietary patterns associated with Candida overgrowth in the published literature, including refined carbohydrates, alcohol, and processed foods.
- CDS22-formula and Vivomixx Neo Compared (UK Guide)Strain lists, deposit codes and CFU per sachet, taken from each manufacturer's own published information. Vivomixx 450 was discontinued in 2025 and Mendes SA markets Vivomixx Neo as a separate product.
- CDS22 vs Symprove: Evidence-Based Comparison for UK ReadersCDS22-formula delivers 450 billion CFU across 8 NCIMB-coded strains. Symprove is a liquid formulation studied primarily in IBS at a lower CFU count. Compares format, dosing and published trial evidence.
- CDS22-formula Sachets vs Optibac Every Day (UK Comparison Guide)A high-dose 8-strain sachet compared with an everyday maintenance capsule. Covers strain diversity, CFU per serving, published evidence and cost per dose.
- Probiotics for Dogs: What the Evidence Actually ShowsWhat the published veterinary literature reports on canine probiotic use, and what it does not establish. Speak to your vet before giving any supplement to an animal.
- Berberine UK: What the Published Research ShowsBerberine is an alkaloid compound studied for blood glucose regulation, LDL reduction, and gut microbiome modulation. Yin et al. 2008 documented effects at 500mg three times daily.
Reference guides · Educational content · Updated regularly
Clinical trials on the De Simone Formulation — an 8-strain, 450 billion CFU probiotic blend — demonstrate statistically significant reductions in abdominal bloating and flatulence in IBS patients (Kim et al., Mayo Clinic, 2003 and 2005). This evidence-based guide covers the gut microbiome science behind bloating, strain-specific RCT data, and how UK consumers can identify a clinically researched probiotic for bloating and gas.
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ECCO stated in October 2023 that the De Simone Formulation was sold under the VSL#3 brand until 2016, and that the product sold as VSL#3 after 2016 no longer contains it. The AGA 2024 pouchitis guideline (Barnes et al., Gastroenterology 2024;166(1):59-85, PMID 38128971) names the De Simone Formulation as the probiotic used in the trials it reviewed; that recommendation is conditional, based on low-certainty evidence, and applies to secondary prevention of recurrent pouchitis only. This UK guide sets out the brand history, the current CDS22-formula NCIMB strain list and the US false-advertising findings, with every statement attributed to the source that published it. No clinical trial has been conducted on CDS22-formula under that product name. CDS22-formula is a food supplement, not a medicine, available from Probiotic.co.uk, the sole exclusive distributor for the UK and Ireland (from £19.95, free cold-chain UK delivery over £65). Probiotic.co.uk sells CDS22-formula and is not affiliated with the VSL#3, Vivomixx or Visbiome trademark holders.
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"Intensive bowel support" is UK consumer shorthand, not a medical term. This guide sets out what it usually means, what counts as high-strength in CFU terms, what published research has examined and in which populations, the UK rules on nutrition and health claims, and a checklist for assessing a product by strain list and deposit code rather than marketing language.
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This UK guide reviews the clinical evidence for probiotics in ulcerative colitis, IBS and pouchitis, drawing on the primary randomised trials, including Gionchetti et al. (Gastroenterology, 2000 and 2003) in pouchitis, Sood et al. (2009) and Tursi et al. (2010) in ulcerative colitis, and Kim et al. (2003) in IBS. It explains where the De Simone Formulation has the strongest data, where the evidence is mixed, and why any probiotic should be used alongside standard care and discussed with your IBD team.
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Lactobacillus acidophilus DSM 24735, Bifidobacterium longum DSM 24736, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG are among the most clinically studied probiotic strains for IBS, digestive health, and immune modulation, with evidence from Cochrane reviews and ECCO guidelines. CDS22 contains all three within its original 8-strain De Simone formulation, available in the UK from Probiotic.co.uk.
Read more- CDS22-formula is an 8-strain live bacteria food supplement manufactured by EOS2021 S.r.l., at 450 billion CFU per sachet
- The eight strains are identified on the current UK label by their NCIMB deposit codes, NCIMB 30435 to NCIMB 30442
- The formulation was developed by Professor Claudio De Simone and is referred to in the published literature as the De Simone Formulation
- EOS2021 S.r.l. states that CDS22-formula contains the De Simone Formulation. This is a manufacturer statement, not an independent finding
- ECCO stated in October 2023 that the De Simone Formulation was sold under the VSL#3 brand until 2016, and that after 2016 the product sold as VSL#3 no longer contains it. ECCO does not reference CDS22-formula and does not endorse any retail product
- The AGA 2024 pouchitis guideline (Barnes et al., PMID 38128971) names the De Simone Formulation as the probiotic used in the trials it reviewed. That recommendation is conditional and based on low-certainty evidence
- The published literature on the formulation runs to over 200 publications and more than 80 clinical studies. No clinical trial has been conducted on CDS22-formula under that product name
- Probiotic.co.uk is the sole exclusive distributor of CDS22-formula for the United Kingdom and Ireland, appointed under written agreement with EOS2021 S.r.l. Every pack sold here comes through us, including stock held by pharmacies. Dispatched cold-chain from Chorley, Lancashire
- CDS22-formula is a food supplement, not a medicine. It is not licensed by the MHRA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or health condition. No authorised UK or EU health claim is made for it
VSL#3® is a registered trademark of VSL Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Actial S.r.l. Vivomixx® is a registered trademark of Mendes SA. Probiotic.co.uk is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the holders of those trademarks, and nothing here should be read as a claim that CDS22-formula is, continues to be, or is a version of any of those branded products. Probiotic.co.uk sells CDS22-formula and is not a neutral party on this subject.