Blogs

Sleep, something we all know and love on a lazy Sunday morning, but throughout the week tend to cut back on in order to fit more into our already busy lives. But do you know the impact on your health of just one bad night’s sleep? Why is sleep critical for your immune system? And how are they intrinsically linked?... Read More

Difficulties with getting to sleep are among the most prevalent health and wellness issues of our age; it is thought that about a third of Britons will suffer from insomnia at some point in their lives. It is unsurprising, then, that any remedies supposedly helping to tackle sleeplessness attract considerable attention – and one of those is valerian root. What... Read More

Frequently referred to as the body’s “happy” or “feel-good” chemical, serotonin actually has a broad range of roles beyond its contribution to wellbeing and happiness. Serotonin is certainly key to mood regulation, with normal levels of this neurotransmitter or hormone helping to ensure you remain happy, calm, focused and emotionally stable. But it would also be selling serotonin short to... Read More

So many of our eating habits go way back to childhood. Eating quickly: were you at boarding school or in a large family where siblings might have nicked your food off your plate? Or did you have lots of processed foods as a child which might be why you’re drawn to beige foods now? Or did you grow up with... Read More

What we eat and drink in the day has a huge effect on how well we sleep. Unfortunately for many of us we get into a bit of a catch 22. The biggest reason for insomnia is stress… And here lies the Catch 22:   the more stressed we are, the worse we sleep, and the worse we sleep, the... Read More

Tonic Health's very own Sunna van Kampen, was recently interviewed on the podcast Founders 365! Keep reading for the highlights from the episode, including Sunna's story and mission as founder, current industry obstacles and Tonic's strategy to overcome them, and some of the highs and lows of startup life. And see the links at the bottom of this post if you fancy... Read More

Wouldn’t it be amazing if there was just one “magic formula” in life that made everything a bit better? By this, we mean one thing that we could turn to time and time again, in the knowledge that it would help to increase our happiness, energy, self-esteem, pleasure, and even lifespan.  Well, there is seemingly such a thing, and it’s... Read More

The fresh focus that the coronavirus pandemic has thrown on the vital importance of our immune systems may have already prompted you to make certain changes to your lifestyle to help to improve your body’s ability to fend off infection and disease. Some such alterations that one could make – including adopting a steady exercise regime and boosting consumption of... Read More

The old trope of the ‘night owl’ versus the ‘lark’ is a persistent one, partly because it is rooted in a degree of truth. After all, we all have different circadian rhythms, which are our natural sleep and wake cycles that largely determine the times of day when we feel most awake and alert. For ‘night owls’ – that is,... Read More

Your immune system is meant to safeguard your body against the risk of disease and infection, and to this end, can normally tell the difference between the body’s own cells and any foreign cells from external sources. When, however, your immune system fails to distinguish between your own cells and unwelcome foreign invaders, it can end up mistakenly attacking your... Read More

🔈 Attention all those interested in plant-based nutrition: Team Tonic's GP, Dr Gemma Newman, is publishing a book! The Plant Power Doctor, Dr Gemma's guide to the radical healing power of a plant-based diet, is out on January 7th 2021 but available for pre-order now.  Excited? So are we. Interested in finding out why she wrote this book? Us too, so we asked;... Read More

There are scales to which natural sugar becomes less helpful. Fruit and vegetables contain sugar (especially carrots, tomatoes, beetroot, sweet potato and soft fruits) but because this sugar is encased in fibre and these plants are abundant in vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, I recommend you eat them in abundance! Never before in my clinic have I seen a patient who... Read More

With a fever reported to be the most common symptom of COVID-19, the above is a very pertinent question. Yes, you’ll be aware already that the term ‘fever’ refers to an elevated body temperature – but what temperature actually constitutes a fever, and how concerned should you be by it? Assessing whether you do, or don’t, have a fever First... Read More

As the world waits with bated breath for confirmation of the successful development of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, you may understandably wonder about the vitamin and nutrient supplements that you might already be taking to support your health.   What have the findings of previous research indicated about the relationship between supplements and vaccines, and the implications for... Read More

Given that it has been one of the most historically acclaimed diets since the 1960s, it is especially striking that the oft-cited “Mediterranean diet” isn’t really a diet at all, at least in the sense of comprising a single set of agreed-upon rules and restrictions. And clearly, it isn’t a ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ trend. What it essentially is, is... Read More

As we've been saying for a while now, vitamin C is the powerhouse of the vitamin world. As well as having a large role in boosting our immune system, this abundant nutrient also helps us heal cuts and wounds faster, maintains the strength of bones and teeth, improves metabolism, and keeps our skin and hair in tip top condition. If... Read More

Maybe it’s having a French wife that draws me irresistibly to a glass or two of a great, rich, lip-smacking red wine. But when I read how it can also help maintain your immune system, things just couldn’t get much better.  Like most of us in the current context, I’m  more conscious than ever of staying healthy. When I feel my body needs... Read More

The reason why stress affects us so much is that our body really hasn’t changed much in 60,000 years. Cortisol is a stress hormone produced in the adrenal glands (little glands that sit on top of the kidneys) which are hard wired to the body’s ‘fight or flight’ survival response. 60,000 years ago this would’ve been essential to either fight... Read More

As a small business that is fast approaching only its first birthday, we are about to undergo some pretty big changes that I wanted to share with you first. There is a natural tendency to fear change, but in my life, I have always lived by the philosophy that change is progress. And as the great and powerful Nelson Mandela... Read More

There’s no shortage of slightly eyebrow-raising foods that have been cited as effective for relieving the symptoms of cold and flu down the years, and you may have given some of them a go yourself when feeling under the weather. But has it ever crossed your mind in such circumstances to reach for a few slices of pineapple? According to... Read More

The typical Western diet is low in micro minerals which isn’t surprising when you look at the National Diet and Nutrition Survey which shows only 8% of children and less than 30% of adults meet their 5-a-day fruit and veg which is where most of these vital minerals are found.   So what can be done to increase the minerals... Read More

As the spore-bearing, fruiting bodies of fungi, mushrooms represent so much more than a great topping for a pizza, or the perfect way to enhance the flavour of sauces and soups. And there’s certainly more to the world of mushrooms than the packaged and ready ones you probably spot all the time in your local supermarket. So, what are just... Read More

This power house of a mineral is responsible for a huge amount of wide ranging processes in the body. It’s probably best known for its role in the immune system, from modulating T cells to helping us fight infection. It’s also essential for our mental wellbeing too. Zinc is crucial for a healthy reproductive system and a tip top digestive... Read More

If you’re currently preparing to embark on university study for the first time or to return after the summer break, you’re likely to be feeling enough trepidation and strain without your health being an additional cause for concern. The coronavirus pandemic, of course, has put an even more perilous complexion on the matter of how to avoid falling ill due... Read More

While the last few years have been characterised by plenty of health crazes, at least one of those was an overnight sensation more than four millennia in the making. The craze in question is turmeric, a deep orange-coloured spice that resembles ginger root in its raw form but is routinely ground down to create a powder frequently used in South... Read More

Myths, a widely held but false belief or idea. They are something we all hear in our daily lives, but where do they come from and why do they often need busting in accordance with the truth? Well, myths are kind of like stereotypes, a major way in which we simplify our social world; since they reduce the amount of... Read More

On average we go on four diets a year. And as soon as we come off them we put the weight back on. There are lots of reasons why we don’t lose weight and the outdated model of calories + exercise = weight loss often doesn’t work in the long term. Low thyroid function, stress, the wrong type of training,... Read More

These are tricky times when it comes to day-to-day risk management. While lockdown restrictions may have loosened as COVID-19 case numbers fall in many parts of the world – including the green light being given to international travel once more – the pandemic is most definitely not “gone”. So, whether you’re eager to make the most of your summer by... Read More

Ask almost any pet owner, and they’ll tell you that owning and looking after their beloved dog, cat or other furry or feathered friend has definitely been good for their health. However, a lot of the discussion about how beneficial our pets are for our health has long revolved around how their affectionateness after a long and difficult day supports... Read More

The central importance of the immune system for protecting you from all manner of maladies can so often be forgotten about, right up until the moment something obviously goes wrong. The good news, though, is that with a bit of knowledge, you can better spot the telltale signs of below-par immune health, so that you can swiftly take the steps... Read More

It’s very much the responsible thing to take the time to actually read the labels of the vitamin supplements you’re comparing in a high-street health store, or for that matter, to scrutinise the specifications you might see listed for such products online. However, it can be an altogether different task to actually properly understand what you read on the label... Read More

While it is the winter months that people usually most associate with such maladies as cold and flu, the warmer and sunnier time of year brings a new threat: that of seasonal allergies, such as hay fever. When one adds to this the ongoing and unpredictable COVID-19 threat, it’s clear that even during the spring and summer, there can be... Read More

The immune system has a vital role: It protects your body from harmful substances, germs and cell changes. It is made up of various organs, cells and proteins. But ever the unsung hero, we don't ever notice it as long as the immune system is running smoothly. Like all things in our body, the immune system can benefit from a bit of TLC now... Read More

It’s an enticing idea for many of us; the idea that we can somehow trigger our immune systems into action via some kind of immediate ‘shock’ or trauma. Indeed, one of those potential means of providing such a ‘shock’ – a cold shower or bath – has been the subject of a few fair traditions and ‘old wives’ tales’ down... Read More

You’ve probably heard a fair amount about the importance of zinc, especially if you have so much as a casual interest in bodybuilding. While zinc is a trace mineral – which means you only need small amounts of it to be healthy – of the key trace minerals, only iron is present in a greater concentration in the body. This... Read More

The crucial role that vitamin C – also known as ascorbic acid – has in a range of bodily functions should not be understated. This essential water-soluble vitamin helps to safeguard the health of your body’s cells. It’s a big factor in keeping your skin, blood vessels, cartilage and bones in the best possible shape, and is also instrumental in... Read More

They’ve got a menacing enough name – but what are they, and what is their role in human health? Natural killer cells are also sometimes referred to as NK cells, killer cells, or just K cells. They’re a type of white blood cell, or lymphocyte, and form part of the innate immune system. Wait – what do we mean by... Read More

So why do I tend to advise patients to get out in the sunshine and supplement to optimise their vitamin D levels? Because we’re often low in it! The main reasons? We don’t go out in the sunshine enough, we often block the sun either from clothing or suncream, or moisturisers with factor in them, or we have darker skin,... Read More

It’s pretty understandable why so many of us feel the need to start the day – or indeed, finish it – with a satisfying cup of coffee. Amid the rushes, stresses and strains of daily life today, we probably all feel the need for that kind of boost from time to time.But could your routine caffeine fix also be compromising... Read More

Ask the Tonic Health Nutritionist Karen Newby: Can you eat your way to better immune health? There’s a lot of discussion about immune food at the moment. I whole heartedly disagree with the British Dietetics Association which states “Simply put, you cannot “boost” your immune system through diet.” Well boost is the wrong word, as it suggests it might cause... Read More

None of us want to find ourselves struggling to get to sleep, but of course, it can happen for all kinds of reasons, and often at times when we feel we can least afford it. Thankfully, however, as the Sleep Council has observed, there are also lots of ways to help to ensure a restful night’s sleep - here are 24... Read More

With the summer holiday season seemingly set to get underway after an enforced pause, how do we make sure we travel safely and healthily. Whether you are traveling via airports, trains, or cars, you’re likely going to come into contact with a lot of people, even though things are quieter these days.   What’s more traveling puts your body through... Read More

The appendix, the small, never thought of organ that most misconceive of as redundant. The appendix is a small, finger like projection which comes out of the large intestine on the right sight of the abdomen. Historically it has been thought of nothing more than an evolutionary hangover that provides no modern-day function and can be a real pain in... Read More

Vitamin D’s billing as the “Sunshine Vitamin” tells you much about where you can expect to obtain it, as well as why so many health professionals are concerned that some of us may not currently be getting enough of it. Indeed, in its “coronavirus update”, the NHS has advised us to consider taking 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day... Read More

We’re one of the few mammals (aside from guinea pigs, primates and fruit bats) that can’t make our own vitamin C. And when we eat it in our food, the body finds it difficult to store it. That’s because it’s a water-soluble vitamin, which is less stable versus the fat-soluble vitamins A, E, D and K that are stored for... Read More

Vitamin C is definitely an immune system multitasker! There’s been a mountain of research since the 1930s on its use as an antiviral, and even though there continues to be much debate over whether it can prevent the common cold, there is scientific consensus that it can help us get rid of it quicker (1). When we’re ill, our immune... Read More

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that isn’t stored very well in the body. The Reference Nutrient Intake for vitamin C is set in the UK at 40mg, which is the amount for 97.5% of the population to ward off deficiency disease, rather than being recommended for optimum health.  An important thing to note is that our need for vitamin... Read More

If you’ve been reading lately about some of the real plant extracts and powders in Tonic Health vitamin drinks, including ginger and blackcurrant, you may have noticed that these ingredients are rich in polyphenols.  What’s a polyphenol, you ask? Let’s find out... A natural support to good health  Some of the ways certain sources refer to polyphenols can be a... Read More

We all know and love that Friday feeling. A hard week at work complete, the excitement of the weekend ahead, seeing your friends or going to a party - it definitely gives you a little buzz. But does the way we feel impact our body? How powerful are our feelings on our physiology? How can something so small such as a weekly feeling even help our immune system?

The definition of Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) fails to consider is that there is a big difference between the RDA (the amount you need to avoid deficiency) and the amount of a vitamin or mineral we need to achieve optimal nutrient levels for optimal health. Optimal health and peak performance are very different from this commonly understood guideline. We explore how this came to be. 

Given the vital importance of the immune system, I’d like to share my own health hacks for immunity that can be easily incorporated into your daily life. These are the product of my own years of bio-hacking and experimentation, and the journey I went on to research and develop Tonic with the best science behind it.

First, a quick history lesson. The concept of standardised nutrient requirements was first established to help ward off starvation during the depression of 1862. Later, during World War 2, rationing started and the next set of Reference Nutrient Intakes (RNIs) was established. The emphasis changed from avoiding starvation to making sure the rationed food provided all the essential nutrients (that... Read More

We’re excited to announce a new addition to Tonic Health: Dr Gemma Newman, the UK’s ‘Plant Power Doctor’. Dr Gemma will be the Team Tonic GP, joining us on our mission to help people harness the power of their immune system with optimal nutrition, vitamins, minerals and plants. Based in London, Dr Gemma has over 16 years' experience as a... Read More

As you will have read in our last blog about how vitamin D works with your immune system for optimal performance the importance of Vitamin D is well establish for the immune system. We call it a vitamin, but in fact, vitamin D is actually a hormone that influences more than 3,000 different genes in your body. But do you... Read More

We all get sick from time to time, that’s a given. But whether or not your biological sex has an impact on the severity and duration of your symptoms is still up for debate. With Father’s Day around the corner, we thought it would be an appropriate time to delve into this topic a little further. What is ‘man flu’?... Read More

Your body is very clever and absorbs what vitamin C it needs. Anything that isn’t used is then safely excreted, although the body can hold onto vitamin C for a short period in the gut.

 Unlike their masters, dogs don’t need to drink freshly squeezed orange juice at breakfast. Along with most other mammals (apart from fruit bats, guinea pigs, humans and other primates), dogs make their own vitamin C – which may be why a dog will always go for our breakfast bacon and not the fresh fruit!

Although their function in the body is often underappreciated, the work that zinc and the thymus gland do together is vital for protecting health. So, let’s start appreciating them a little more. What actually are they, and do they do for us?   Introducing zinc It may be a mere trace element, but zinc is also a nutrient that everyone... Read More

If you’re reading this, it hopefully won’t be news to you that vitamin D plays an integral role in keeping you healthy. As the NHS website explains, this fat-soluble vitamin is key to regulating your body’s levels of calcium and phosphate, which are crucial to the health of your bones, teeth and muscles.  While most of us tend to get... Read More

Most of us were probably aware long before adulthood that vitamins are important for health, having been told constantly by our parents as we were growing up to eat the healthy food on our plates because “It’s got loads of vitamins”.  Mum knows best, of course. But do you know exactly how and why vitamins are so important, especially for... Read More

The human immune system is a truly wonderful thing, this sophisticated infrastructure of cells, proteins, organs and tissues routinely whirring into action to fight off nasties that can leave us feeling unwell. But how much do you actually know about all of those special components of the immune system that are constantly defending you?  Many of us are unfamiliar with... Read More

The natural water-soluble vitamin called vitamin C – also sometimes referred to as ascorbic acid – has long been associated with various potential benefits, including the protection of cells, help with wound healing, and the maintenance of healthy skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage.  What might surprise you, however, is that athletes in particular need to be mindful about getting... Read More

Tablets, liquids, gummies, lozenges, syrups, drinks... hard shell, soft gel, veg caps… The list goes on! But with so many ways to take vitamins, why does Tonic choose to make vitamin drinks? We’re glad you asked. It can be hard to choose the right supplements for you and your needs, let alone the right way to take them. But we’ve... Read More

You’ve seen it on many of your favourite brands – the coveted blue and white badge that tells you a product is ‘Mumsnet Rated’. Tonic Health just became the latest to join the club, after 130 Mumsnet reviewers tested our Elderberry & Blackcurrant drink and 81% said they’d recommend it to friends and family. Keen to try Tonic for yourself?... Read More

The Coronavirus pandemic has been nothing short of a total change to the way most of us live our lives. Yet the lockdown has brought some positives with most of us being able to spend more time at home with our families. We caught up with Rowena to discuss how she has been changing her family routine to keep the... Read More

Elderberries have been used in traditional medicine for millennia and it’s not new news that there is plenty of potential in these powerful purple fruits. Elderberries are used both in medicine and in food across the world, and there are studies that have shown their potential to prevent viruses from entering our system with their antiviral properties, alongside having the... Read More

Last week, our founder, Sunna Van Kampen, parcelled up and posted 500 drinks of Tonic Health to key workers in NHS hospitals across the UK, including Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. With our NHS being so close to the frontline of the coronavirus, here at Tonic we wanted to ensure that we were doing our part to help – with... Read More

A soothing mug of honey-lemon drink may be one of the most time-honoured traditions for ‘treating’ a cold, but did you know that it could be more than just a myth? In today’s age of relentless scientific advances compared to past generations, it would easy to presume that people take lemon and honey brews in response to a cold simply... Read More

Few periods in recent history have brought as much anxiety about immune health as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Inevitably, then, we are also seeing many claims and counterclaims about what steps we should all be taking to support or even boost our immunity.

During this uncertain time many of us are eager to take whatever steps we can, to strengthen our immune health. Claims and counterclaims are being widely made about which nutrients we can and cannot rely on to evidentially support our immune system. So, what place should vitamin C have in your efforts to live healthily and provide your immune system... Read More

If ever there was a wonder substance for supporting human health then the liquid gold that is also known as honey, surely has to be up there. Indeed, humans have been using honey for in a whole plethora of ways since ancient times. The Egyptians, for example, used it as an embalming fluid and a dressing for wounds, and even... Read More

Working from home: great, I can make endless cups of tea and spend more time with my spouse/family/housemates… but, when the novelty wears off and you face the reality – it may not be as fun as you initially thought. Battling for rooms to video conference call in, wondering if your bed is an acceptable place to set up your... Read More

What is Zinc?   Zinc is a key micronutrient and mineral that is essential for the body in numerous ways, it keeps the immune system strong, helps heal wounds, and supports normal growth. A lack of zinc can make a person more susceptible to disease and illness. It is responsible for several functions in the human body, and it helps... Read More

This week, we featured in The Telegraph as 1 tip inside their "10 top tips to support your immune system to fight off coronavirus". Currently there is no cure for the coronavirus (COVID-19), but what we do know is that to fight a virus, if you don't have a specific anti-viral or a vaccination for it, you have to rely on your... Read More

At Tonic Health, we’ve always been about championing your immune system to help you stay healthy in times of need. We wanted to take the opportunity alongside The Institute for Functional Medicine to remind you that there are several steps you can take to reduce your chances of being exposed and to help your immune system. What to Do During... Read More

We all know that eating healthy diet for our overall health but research over the last 10 years has shown a solid link between eating healthily diet and our immune system via our gut microflora (the micro-organisms in our gut). Our gut bacteria train our immune systems to behave appropriately to the environment. We are normally exposed to these bacteria... Read More

Eating a diverse diet, rich in colourful vegetables and fruits, will ensure that you are getting a sufficient range of antioxidants. These antioxidants protect the structural elements of the immune system and the gut itself. 

The Beginning of Harnessing the Immune System The essence Tonic Health, a natural remedy to support our immune system, was passed to Founder Sunna Van Kampen cup after cup, year after year, with every cold and sickness bug – lemon and honey in hot water made by his mother. From a young age Sunna was surrounded by natural remedies, but... Read More

Sleep has an incredibly profound impact on both our physical and mental health, with the quality of our sleep as important as the quantity of sleep that we get. Numerous studies have demonstrated the impact of being sleep deprived and how it negatively affects how our brain functions, its association with increasing sensitivity to pain, hunger and possibility obesity, and... Read More

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and an essential micronutrient for the immune system...

The immune system is a complex system that protects and defends the human body from damage from other organisms or substances from the outside environment. It is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs which work together to defend against pathogens. These come in the form of viruses, or bacteria which is when the immune system works... Read More

Summer sun, something we all long for and yet something we actually need to maintain a healthy immune system.