Blogs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. 

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

 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

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

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

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

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.