Digestive

A tonic that is traditionally known to support stomach digestion, the transformation of food into nutrients and their assimilation by supporting the circulation of nutrition throughout the body.

Promotes enzyme production and enzyme release from the pancreas to break down proteins and sugars; additionally, while promoting the production of bile in the gall bladder to support the breakdown of fats.

Digestive health is important for maximum assimilation of nutrients, therefore digestible nutrient dense food choices will yield maximal health benefits.

Additional Digestive Nutrition

Prebiotics ^ and Probiotics ^ are tonic superfoods and are best consumed daily; "these 'nutrition boosters' are natural ingredients in everyday food ^." They will assist the absorption and assimilation of tonic superfoods and are best incorporated with meals.

Reference resources on prebiotics and probiotics:

• Function of probiotics is found in the Encyclopaedia Britannica: Probiotic by Kara Rogers ^
• A concise list of various food and beverage sources of prebiotics and probiotics is University of North Dakota Fact Sheet: Prebiotics and Probiotics ^

Prevent Digestive Hindrance:

Grains containing gluten ^, such as wheat, barley, rye, and similar grain proteins like gliadin ^,as found in oats, are not well absorbed or digested by the human digestive track. These proteins may cause irritation to tissues that they contact along the digestive tract which may interfere with the absorption of nutrients and overall digestive health. Source video: Cerial Killers - You Are What You  Absorb by Dr Joel Wallach ^

Also, compounds found in cruciferous vegetables ‡ are known to interfere with nutrient absorption, especially concerning iodine and thyroid function.

"In addition, some substances in foods, sometimes called anti-nutrients, interfere with the body’s use of vitamins and minerals. Thus oxalates ^, found in some dark green leafy vegetables, interfere with the absorption of some minerals (including calcium, zinc, and iron), as does the phytic acid found in some high-fiber foods." University of California: Berkeley Wellness - Nutrients: They're Team Players ^

"Because of the increased risk of food-bound vitamin B₁₂ malabsorption ‡ in older adults, the FNB recommended that adults over 50 years of age get most of the RDA from fortified ‡ food or vitamin B₁₂-containing supplements (17) ‡."OSU: Vitamin B12 - The RDA ‡

Check for Food Intolerances

Use a pulse test to check food intolerances ^.

Reference Resources:

• Reference: Science Direct: Nutrition and Health by Sian Astley and Paul Finglas ^; as it concerns digestive health; see sections: Antinutrients and Food Intolerance

Making these dietary changes for better absorption will increase B12 absorption and assist in further absorption of tonic superfoods for better benefit. Increased B12 levels, and the entire B complex, is associated with better cognition and cardio health and has a direct effect on raising low energy levels and has a de-stress benefit.