Probiotic Guides Ireland
Evidence-Based Probiotics, Gut Health & Supplement Advice
Probiotic.ie publishes independent, evidence-led guides for Irish consumers on probiotics, gut health and high-quality food supplements.
Our guides are written to explain:
• Probiotic strains, CFU counts and storage
• Safe use with antibiotics and digestive conditions
• Berberine, magnesium, vitamin D3 and omega-3 supplementation
• Kids’ and family gut health considerations
• Product comparisons and safety checks referencing FSAI and recognised authorities
All articles are written for the Irish market and updated regularly.
Probiotic.ie publishes independent, evidence-led guides for Irish consumers on probiotics, gut health and food supplements. Every guide cites named published research, references HSE and FSAI guidance where relevant, and is written specifically for the Irish market.
These guides are educational and do not constitute medical advice. Food supplements are not medicines and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Probiotic.ie sells food supplements, including CDS22-formula, and is not a neutral party. If you have persistent or worsening symptoms, speak to your GP.
- Start Here · Probiotics PillarClinical Probiotics Ireland: Strains, CFU & How to ChooseThe master guide to reading a probiotic label in Ireland: what a strain deposit code tells you that a species name does not, how CFU is stated and what it means, storage and handling, and how to match a product to the published research. Start here, then go deeper on a specific topic below.
- VSL#3 Alternatives in Ireland: The De Simone Formulation ExplainedWhat ECCO, the AGA and the US courts have each said about the De Simone Formulation, with every contested position attributed to the party that stated it, including the position of Actial S.r.l., which disagrees. Includes the current NCIMB strain list and a taxonomy note.
- Probiotics for Bloating Ireland: What the Evidence Actually SaysWhat the published trials report, including Kim et al. 2003 and 2005 and the Goodoory 2023 meta-analysis in Gastroenterology, alongside the limitations of that evidence. Covers a realistic 4 to 8 week timeline and how to read a label.
- Probiotics and IBS in Ireland: Evidence, Strains & ResearchWhat randomised trials have measured in IBS populations across the IBS-D, IBS-C and IBS-M subtypes, which strains were studied, and where the evidence is weaker than the marketing suggests.
- Probiotics and Ulcerative Colitis in Ireland: What the Evidence SaysAn editorial review of the published trials in ulcerative colitis, including Gionchetti 2000 and Mimura 2004, and how clinical guidelines refer to formulations rather than to retail products. Educational only, not treatment guidance.
- Probiotics in UC, IBS & Pouchitis: An Evidence Review for IrelandHow the published trial evidence differs across these three conditions, which formulations were studied, and why guideline references name formulations rather than brands. Educational only, not treatment guidance.
- Choosing a Probiotic in Ireland: A Buyer's Framework (2026)A neutral framework applied to the products commonly sold in Ireland: strain deposit codes, CFU as stated on the label, storage requirements, format, and FSAI regulatory context.
- Probiotics With Antibiotics in Ireland: Can You Take Them Together?Timing and duration as used in the published studies, what the evidence covers for Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii, and why this is a question for your GP or pharmacist if you are on a course.
- Probiotic Strains Explained: The Complete Guide for IrelandWhy a deposit code such as NCIMB 30442 identifies the exact organism used in a trial, and why a species name on its own does not. Covers strain identification, CFU on the label, and FSAI regulatory standards.
- Probiotics for Women in Ireland: Evidence Guide & Product Comparison 2026Which strains have been studied in trials with female participants, how the products sold in Ireland differ by strain and format, and the FSAI position on what may and may not be claimed.
- Optibac Probiotics Ireland: Every Day vs For WomenThe two Optibac products side by side on strain profile, CFU per capsule and published evidence, taken from the manufacturer's own published label information.
- High-Strength Probiotics in Ireland: What "Intensive" Actually MeansThere is no legal definition of high strength on an Irish label. Covers how CFU is stated, why a dose used in a trial is not the same as a retail serving, and how to compare high-CFU products.
- Lactobacillus Gasseri Ireland: Evidence Guide & How to ChooseWhat the randomised trials measured, strain by strain, including Kadooka et al. 2010, plus capsule delivery formats and how to evaluate L. gasseri products sold in Ireland.
- CDS22-formula and Symprove: An Evidence Comparison for IrelandFormat, strain listing and stated CFU for each product, taken from each manufacturer's own published label information, alongside the published trials each cites.
- CDS22-formula and Optibac Every Day: An Evidence Comparison (Ireland)Strain listing, format and stated CFU for each product, taken from each manufacturer's own published label information, with a note on why CFU alone is not a comparison.
- Start Here · Comparison PillarWhich Magnesium Is Best? Every Form Compared (Ireland)The master guide to magnesium in Ireland: glycinate, citrate, malate, taurate and L-threonate compared side by side on verified elemental magnesium, tolerance and format, with HSE dosing and the ten EFSA-authorised claims. Start here, then go deeper on any single form below.
- Magnesium Glycinate Ireland: Guide, Benefits, Dosage & LabelsElemental magnesium explained, HSE dosing (300mg men, 270mg women), the EFSA-authorised claims, and how to decode a label as an Irish buyer.
- Magnesium Bisglycinate Ireland: Benefits, Dosage & How It ComparesBisglycinate means both bonding sites on the magnesium ion are occupied by glycine, a chelated form chosen for gastrointestinal tolerance. Label decoding, HSE intake guidance and how to compare formats.
- Magnesium Glycinate vs Citrate Ireland: What Actually Differs?Elemental magnesium content, tolerance differences, HSE intake guidance, and how to choose between the two most-searched magnesium forms in Ireland.
- Magnesium for Sleep Ireland: Does Glycinate Work? Evidence & DosageThe 2025 magnesium bisglycinate sleep RCT (Schuster et al., Nat Sci Sleep, PMID 40918053), the honest glycine dose question, the EFSA-authorised claims, and the HSE dosing framework.
- Berberine Ireland: Evidence, Dosage & How to ChooseBerberine is proposed to interact with AMPK signalling pathways. Covers the dosing used in published randomised trials, what the evidence does and does not establish, and FSAI regulatory context.
- Berberine & Probiotics Ireland: What the Research CoversWhat has and has not been studied on taking berberine alongside a multi-strain probiotic, including timing, and the FSAI position on combination claims.
- NAC Supplement Ireland: Benefits, Dosage & Evidence GuideN-Acetyl Cysteine as a precursor to glutathione, studied at 600mg to 1,800mg daily in published trials. Covers the evidence by research area, safety, and FSAI regulatory status in Ireland.
- Lion's Mane Mushroom Ireland: Research & Evidence GuideHericenones and erinacines as the compounds of interest, fruiting body versus mycelium sourcing, what the small number of human trials actually measured, and how to choose in Ireland.
- L-Theanine Ireland: Evidence Guide, Dosage & SafetyAn amino acid found in green tea, studied at 200 to 400mg in randomised trials including Kimura et al. 2007. Covers what those trials measured, dosing, safety and FSAI context.
- Vitamin D3 Ireland: Dosage, Deficiency, Foods & SupplementsHSE intake guidance for Irish adults, the FSAI tolerable upper intake level, D3 versus D2, dietary sources, and why latitude matters for Ireland specifically.
- CoQ10 Supplement Ireland: Coenzyme Q10 Evidence GuideCoenzyme Q10's role as a mitochondrial electron carrier, ubiquinol versus ubiquinone, what the published human trials cover, and how to assess supplement quality in Ireland.
- Saw Palmetto Ireland: Evidence, Extracts & Side EffectsSerenoa repens and the 5-alpha reductase pathway, what the published trials measured and where results conflict, extract types and dosing, and FSAI regulatory status.
- Rhodiola Rosea Ireland: Benefits, Dosage & Evidence GuideAn adaptogenic herb studied in randomised trials for stress resilience and fatigue. Covers rosavins and salidroside as marker compounds, extract standardisation, dosing, and FSAI context.
- Resveratrol Ireland: Evidence Guide & How to ChooseA polyphenol studied in the context of cellular ageing pathways, including proposed interaction with sirtuin signalling. Covers trans-resveratrol bioavailability, what human trials show, and Irish supplement quality criteria.
- Glycine Supplement Ireland: Sleep, Collagen & Evidence GuideA non-essential amino acid studied at 3g before bed in small sleep trials. Covers its role in collagen synthesis, what the human evidence establishes and what it does not, and FSAI regulatory status.
- Taurine Supplement Ireland: What It Is, Benefits, Dosage & Where to BuyA conditionally essential amino acid. Covers the EFSA observed safe adult intake level, what the human trials measured, dosing used in research, and FSAI regulatory status.
- Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplement Ireland: Evidence Guide 2026An antioxidant compound studied in randomised trials including the Ziegler multicentre work. Covers R-ALA versus S-ALA, the dosing used in research, and Irish supplement quality criteria.
Reference guides · Educational content only, not medical advice · Food supplements are not medicines · Updated regularly
VSL#3 is a registered trademark of VSL Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Actial S.r.l. Vivomixx is a registered trademark of Mendes SA. Probiotic.ie is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to those trademark holders. Any third-party trademarks referred to remain the property of their respective owners.
The De Simone formulation has demonstrated statistically significant remission rates in ulcerative colitis in multiple randomised controlled trials, including Gionchetti 2000 and Mimura 2004, and is referenced in ECCO IBD guidelines. CDS22 is the only product available in Ireland containing the original 8-strain formula at 450 billion CFU per sachet.
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Vitamin D deficiency affects an estimated 40% of the Irish population, with the HSE recommending 400 IU daily for adults and the FSAI setting a tolerable upper intake of 4,000 IU. This Ireland guide covers deficiency symptoms, testing thresholds, D3 versus D2 bioavailability, and how to evaluate supplement quality for Irish consumers.
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Probiotic strain codes such as Lactobacillus acidophilus DSM 24735 and Bifidobacterium longum DSM 24736 identify the exact organism studied in clinical trials — generic names like "Lactobacillus acidophilus" on Irish supplement labels do not guarantee the same efficacy. This guide covers strain identification, CFU viability, storage requirements, and FSAI regulatory standards for probiotic supplements in Ireland.
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Clinical trials show the De Simone formulation produces statistically significant reductions in IBS symptom scores across IBS-D, IBS-C, and IBS-M subtypes, with evidence reviewed in ECCO IBD guidelines and American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) clinical guidance. This Ireland guide covers strain-specific evidence, CFU thresholds, and product comparisons including CDS22, Alflorex, and Symprove for Irish consumers.
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L-theanine is an amino acid found in green tea shown in randomised controlled trials to reduce stress response and improve sleep quality at doses of 200-400mg, with Kimura et al. (2007) documenting significant reductions in stress markers. This Ireland guide covers dosing protocols, safety considerations, drug interactions, and how to evaluate L-theanine supplement quality against FSAI standards.
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In a 2025 randomised, placebo-controlled trial (Schuster et al., Nature and Science of Sleep, PMID 40918053), 250mg of elemental magnesium as bisglycinate reduced insomnia severity scores over four weeks versus placebo in 155 adults, with a small effect and the largest gains in people with low magnesium intake. This Ireland guide covers the EFSA-authorised claims for magnesium, HSE dosing (300mg/day men, 270mg/day women), the glycine mechanism, and how the forms compare for Irish buyers.
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Magnesium glycinate (bisglycinate) and magnesium citrate both deliver elemental magnesium, but they differ in digestive tolerance: citrate can loosen stools at higher supplemental doses, which is why glycinate is often chosen where tolerance matters. This Ireland guide compares the two forms using HSE intake guidance (300mg/day men, 270mg/day women, ages 19 to 64), NIH bioavailability notes, and how to read elemental magnesium per serving on Irish labels.
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Magnesium glycinate and magnesium bisglycinate are the same compound: magnesium bound to glycine, chosen for gastrointestinal tolerance. This Ireland guide covers HSE intake guidance (300mg/day men, 270mg/day women, ages 19 to 64), the elemental magnesium label trap, EU-authorised claims under Regulation 432/2012, and how to compare glycinate products for Irish buyers.
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Magnesium bisglycinate is magnesium chelated to glycine, chosen for its gastrointestinal tolerance. This Ireland guide covers the 2025 bisglycinate sleep RCT (Schuster et al., PMID 40918053), the EFSA-authorised claims for magnesium, HSE dosing (300mg/day men, 270mg/day women), the elemental magnesium label trap, and how to choose a supplement.
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Intensive bowel support protocols use high-CFU multi-strain probiotics during active flares of IBD, IBS, and pouchitis, with the De Simone formulation studied at doses up to 3,600 billion CFU in peer-reviewed trials referenced in ECCO IBD guidelines. CDS22 is available in Ireland at 450 billion CFU per sachet and 112 billion CFU per capsule, making it the highest-potency De Simone formulation accessible to Irish patients.
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Lactobacillus gasseri is an autochthonous human gut strain with randomised controlled trial evidence for abdominal fat reduction and IBS symptom management, with strain-specific studies including Kadooka et al. (2010) documenting significant reductions in visceral fat. This Ireland guide covers DSM strain codes, DRcaps delivery mechanisms, FSAI health claim regulations, and how to evaluate Lactobacillus gasseri supplements for Irish consumers.
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N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) is a glutathione precursor with peer-reviewed evidence for mucolytic activity, liver protection, and oxidative stress reduction, studied at doses of 600mg to 1,800mg daily across multiple randomised controlled trials. This Ireland guide covers FSAI regulatory status, safe dosing thresholds, drug interactions including paracetamol overdose protocols, and how to evaluate NAC supplement quality for Irish consumers
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About the Author
Darren Grant is the Founder and Managing Director of Probiotic.ie, Ireland’s specialist retailer for clinically formulated probiotics and high-quality food supplements. He is the sole official distributor in Ireland and the UK of the original De Simone formulation, including CDS22-formula.
With over a decade of experience in supplement distribution, formulation analysis and regulatory compliance, Darren works directly with manufacturers and clinical experts to review probiotic strains (including L. rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii), CFU counts, ingredient quality and safety standards before products are listed.
His guides reference recognised authorities such as Cochrane reviews, NHS guidance, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and HPRA frameworks where relevant. Content is written to help Irish consumers understand strains, dosages (for example berberine 500 mg or vitamin D3 2000 IU), and safety considerations before purchasing.
All content is informational only and not medical advice.
- 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 Irish 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., 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 and based on low-certainty evidence, and applies to secondary prevention of recurrent pouchitis only
- 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.ie is the sole exclusive distributor of CDS22-formula for Ireland and the United Kingdom, appointed under written agreement with EOS2021 S.r.l. Every pack sold here comes through us, including stock held by pharmacies. Probiotic.ie is not the sole retailer
- Stock is held refrigerated at +2°C to +8°C at a temperature-controlled facility in Dublin and dispatched on a tracked service. Free tracked Irish delivery on orders over €75
- CDS22-formula is a food supplement, not a medicine. It is not authorised by the HPRA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or health condition. No authorised EU or Irish health claim is made for it. Food supplements in Ireland are regulated by the FSAI; Irish VAT on supplements is 13.5%
VSL#3® is a registered trademark of VSL Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Actial S.r.l. Vivomixx® is a registered trademark of Mendes SA. Probiotic.ie 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.ie sells CDS22-formula and is not a neutral party on this subject.