De Simone Formulation vs Unstudied Multi-Strain Blends
How De Simone Formulation and unstudied multi-strain blends differ in how they work, evidence, tolerance, and cost.
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Side by Side
| De Simone Formulation (8 strains) | Multi-Strain Blends (Unstudied) | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | High-dose mix of eight lactobacillus, bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus thermophilus strains; acts in the lumen of the colon. | Combinations assembled for marketing rather than tested as a product. Strain designations are often missing, and CFU may be counted at manufacture rather than expiration. |
| Typical dose | 450-1,800 billion CFU daily (pouchitis) | Varies |
| Common uses | pouchitis, ulcerative colitis (adjunct) | general gut health (unproven) |
| Side effects | Bloating. | Gas, bloating. |
| Cost | High | Moderate |
| Also called | Visbiome, original VSL#3 formula | 50 billion CFU blends, 10-strain formulas |
When to Choose De Simone Formulation (8 strains)
Choose De Simone Formulation when you have pouchitis or ulcerative colitis and your gastroenterologist recommends it. Since 2016 the original formula has been sold as Visbiome; products sold as VSL#3 after that date come from a different manufacturer.
De Simone Formulation (8 strains)
High dose and high cost, for pouchitis and some ulcerative colitis. Not a general-purpose product.
What to look for: Visbiome (the original De Simone formula), at the dose your gastroenterologist sets.
Find on iHerb Affiliate linkWhen to Choose Multi-Strain Blends (Unstudied)
There is rarely a reason to choose unstudied multi-strain blends: choose a strain matched to a trial instead. The trials that support probiotics tested specific strains, not blends built from their species names.
Multi-Strain Blends (Unstudied)
There is rarely a reason to choose unstudied multi-strain blends: choose a strain matched to a trial instead.
What to look for: Multi-Strain Blends named on the Supplement Facts panel, with the amount per serving stated.
Find on iHerb Affiliate linkProducts on Titrate
The Probiotics category in Titrate's index holds 5,145 labels from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database, 2,852 of them currently on market, out of 214,745 labels indexed in total.
Supplement Search loads one category at a time. Choose the Probiotics tab and filter by ingredient, form, or what the product leaves out.
Related
References
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Probiotics: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.
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