Supplement Facts

The NOW mission is to provide value in products and services that empower people to lead healthier lives. NOW Foods is an award-winning and highly respected manufacturer of vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements, and natural foods.

Celebrating 40 Years of Empowering Healthier Lives
In 1968, NOW Foods was founded by Elwood Richard under the belief that good health was not a luxury available only to the wealthy. For the past forty years, NOW Foods has made it their life's work to offer health food and nutritional supplements of the highest quality, at prices that are fair and affordable to all those who seek them.

Today, NOW Foods is one of the top-selling brands in health foods stores, an award-winning manufacturer, a respected advocate of the natural product industry, and a leader in the fields of nutritional science and methods development. And while NOW Foods has grown considerably over the past four decades, one thing has never changed – their commitment to providing products and services that empower people to lead healthier lives.

By Jim Emme, Chief Operations Officer, NOW Foods

"At NOW we have heard the following question from retailers and consumers for many years: How can NOW’s products be any good if they are selling them for less than the more expensive brands?

I’m pleased to have the opportunity to discuss this topic, and my answer is this: We are passionate about making quality products affordable. Our whole intent is to make it so that when compared to many other brands, NOW is the best-value brand in the industry. How do we do this? We do not do it by compromising the quality and performance of the products we manufacture. NOW sources the same raw materials from the same vendors that the other brands buy from, so the quality of our ingredients is the same. The NOW manufacturing procedures are GMP compliant. NOW has earned an NPA Audited “A” rating since 2000. We operate in a modern, state-of-the-art facility. The skills and capabilities of the NOW technical personnel and laboratories are equal or better than those of anyone in the industry. All of these capabilities allow NOW to produce products that are some of the best available to the consumer. This is also supported independently by the significant number of awards NOW has received in recent years.

How do we keep our costs lower? We buy used equipment when possible, and our expert engineering staff restores the machines to our exacting specifications. Each of the components will often be in a more accurate and safe condition than when it was brand new, yet it will have cost only a fraction of a new machine, reducing our manufacturing costs. There are few if any companies other than NOW that can do this. NOW also takes the time to review our processes for safety, quality, and efficiency. We measure our performance in regular intervals, continuously reducing variation to become better at what we do. This measuring allows us to improve our processes, resulting in a better quality product manufactured more efficiently. The simple act of doing things right the first time not only ensures higher quality, but it also reduces product costs. All of these efforts enable NOW to deliver better value products to our customers.

The world economy is in bad shape, and some experts say it could get worse. While consumers are cutting back on their spending, they are also concerned about the safety and quality of the products they put in their bodies. NOW products are the best solution for retailers and consumers who want to live healthier lives by using the best quality products at a fair price. We invite you to visit us at our Bloomingdale, Illinois facility. You will then have the opportunity to see firsthand all of the things we do to make quality NOW products at an affordable price."

Trademarked Products
In many cases, NOW chooses to buy exclusive products and ingredients, and label these products with registered trademark names. Each of these products is licensed to NOW for distribution. The registered trademark is your assurance that the product is properly manufactured and labeled. In many cases, the trademark owner will independently assay our finished products to verify that quality meets their standards.

As one of the industry's leaders, NOW is pleased to share this information with customers. The sourcing and quality checks they perform on vendors help to ensure consistency, potency, safety and efficacy in every product they sell.

At NOW Foods, they sell natural products - natural supplements, foods, and health and beauty products. They differentiate themselves from the mass market, where synthetic ingredients are rampant. They also distinguish themselves from many who claim to sell natural products, but whose products are far less than 100% natural. Elwood Richard founded NOW with his vision to provide affordable natural products. As a chemist, Elwood understood the dangers of many synthetic ingredients, and moreover that health and wellness begins with products that are as natural as possible. Since 1968, NOW’s team has been delivering such products to your doorstep. Their commitment to you is that they will continue to do this.

Natural: What Does This Mean to Us?
by Michael Lelah, Ph.D. - NOW Foods Technical Director

Alcohols: NOW does not use any alcohols in foods. Only grain alcohol - ethanol - is used in some of our liquid extracts. No synthetic alcohols are used.

Aluminum: We do not use aluminum in our formulas, as it has been associated with Parkinson’s disease. Most of our products are formulated/tested to be aluminum-free. Some of our clays and trace mineral formulas naturally contain aluminum and we declare this prominently on our labels and give use instructions appropriate to maximize safety.

Artificial Colors: NOW does not use any artificial colors in our products. Many of the synthetic colors, especially the red colors, have known toxicity. We use only natural colors such as annatto, beet, carob, and chlorophyll.

Artificial Sweeteners: NOW sells natural sweeteners such as xylitol, erythritol and fructose. We do not sell or use artificial sweeteners such as saccharin, sucralose, or aspartame. Although these artificial sweeteners are sold freely in the U.S., much of the evidence for long term safety is in question.

Bovine Chondroitin: Chondroitin sulfate is a key ingredient in the fight for joint support. Clinical studies demonstrating efficacy are based on bovine Chondroitin (from cow). However, Chondroitin is more cheaply available from porcine (from pig) and chicken sources. NOW does not use the unproven pig and chicken forms, which are prevalent in the market.

Chlorinated Compounds: Chlorinated organic compounds are not found in nature. These compounds are toxic and very dangerous. PCBs and dioxin are examples, as is sucralose. NOW Foods does not formulate with chlorinated compounds.

CoQ10: CoQ10 is a particularly important antioxidant. However, there are two forms: the naturally produced fermented trans-CoQ10 form and the synthetic, cheaper cis-form. The trans form is the form found in your body, while the cis-form is chemically different. NOW only sells the natural all-trans form of CoQ10.

D-Amino Acids: The natural form of amino acids is the L-form, except for Glycine and Taurine which occur in only one form. Synthetic forms are the D-form or the DL-form. NOW Foods does not sell the mass produced synthetic forms; only natural L-Carnitine, L-Arginine, L-Lysine, etc.

Ephedra and Bitter Orange: The FDA has banned Ephedra. But even during the years when Ephedra was legal, NOW Foods never sold Ephedra, as we have always been concerned about its abuse. Today, bitter orange is commonly used as a substitute for Ephedra in many competitive formulas. NOW Foods does not sell bitter orange.

Fish Oil Purification: Our fish oils are almost all molecularly distilled. This physical separation and purification process produces the best quality fish oil, free of harmful levels of heavy metal contaminants and pesticides. A common concern with fish oils is mercury content. NOW fish oil is mercury-free. Compare!

Fluoride: Sodium Fluoride is used to control bacteria and to prevent tooth decay and is present in most of our municipal water supplies. There is increasing evidence that Fluoride is unnecessary and potentially harmful, and NOW does not formulate toothpastes and mouthwashes with Fluoride.

Genetic Modification: NOW is opposed to genetic modification, because there are real and unknown harmful effects. Unfortunately, much of the world’s supply of corn and soybeans is genetically modified. We continue to bring you more and more products that are certified GMO-free, including certified organic material, all clearly stated on the label.

Heavy metals: Natural botanicals do contain traces of heavy metals because heavy metals are naturally occurring in soil. We ensure that the heavy metal content in our herbs and other ingredients is safe.

Hormones: NOW Foods does not sell androstenedione, estrogen, testosterone, or DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). These are all steroid and/or anabolic supplements that may have potentially harmful side effects.

Hydrogenated fats and trans-fats: Hydrogenation is a chemical process where unsaturated fats (vegetable oils) are chemically modified to make them more solid at room temperature. Man-made trans-fats are a particular form of these chemically modified fats. These fats are unhealthy and have contributed to the obesity of America. They do not formulate their products with either hydrogenated or trans fats.

Irradiation: Irradiation is used to kill bacteria. But irradiation also has side effects, transforming the natural components in herbs and botanicals into unnatural molecules. NOW conducts microbiological tests, and rejects ingredients where this test indicates the use of irradiation.

Microbial contamination: Many natural ingredients contain naturally occurring low levels of microbes. However, high microbial contamination, contamination with pathogens and aflatoxin contamination, are potentially unsafe. We have an in-house state-of-the-art microbiology lab staffed with professional and trained microbiologists that test our materials and products against microbial contamination.

Natural Vitamin E: Synthetic vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol) is chemically and physiologically different from the natural family of Vitamin E isomers, which consists of 4 tocopherols (including d-alpha-tocopherol) and 4 tocotrienols. NOW only sells the natural “d” forms of Vitamin E.

Organic: Organic products are the most natural. No pesticides, herbicides or fungicides are used in cultivation. This is good for us and our environment, and NOW is taking every measure to increase our selection of organic products.

Oxidation: Some natural products will oxidize when stored. To minimize this from happening, we include silica-gel packs to remove moisture, and in some cases use Ageless anti-oxygen packets, which reduce the oxidation and keep the product in the bottle as fresh and natural as possible.

Pesticide Residues: We use pesticide-free products where available. Our Panax ginseng is pesticide-free. Roots are most susceptible to contamination by pesticides. As described earlier, our fish oils now are mostly molecularly distilled, ensuring them to be pesticide-free.

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) and Propylene Glycol (PPG): PEG is antifreeze. PPG is in the same family. NOW Foods does not use any PEG or PPG in our supplements, and is replacing the PPG in our deodorant stick. All of our health and beauty products will soon be PPG-free.

Parabens: These synthetic chemicals are widely found in personal care products as preservatives. NOW Foods does not formulate its Personal Care products with Parabens.

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids: Some natural herbs contain these alkaloids which are hepatotoxins (liver toxins). These herbs include comfrey and butterbur. Our butterbur is free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, and we do not sell comfrey for internal use.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): This nasty synthetic surfactant is also widely used in personal care products such as shampoos and oral products such as toothpaste. NOW Foods does not use SLS.

Titanium Dioxide and Phosphates: These synthetic ingredients are widely used as excipients in supplements. Excipients are ingredients that have no nutritional value, but have been added to improve processing. NOW minimizes the use of these additives. In fact, many of our CoQ10 softgels are formulated to be free of titanium dioxide - a rarity in the market.

At NOW Foods, they take Natural seriously. This is their life, this is their expertise, and this is their business. This is their commitment to you. NOW hopes you appreciate the efforts they go through every day in making available the most natural, affordable products on the market. They welcome your suggestions to improve their excellent product line.

NOW Product Freshness
At NOW Foods they employ extraordinary measures to provide you with the freshest natural products. Raw ingredients that are either harvested or extracted are dried as quickly as possible to preserve their efficacy, and they use packaging specifically designed to maintain freshness for the full shelf life of products. They use advanced technologies such as Ageless Oxygen Absorbers, nitrogen flushing, moisture reduction, induction sealing, multi-layer barrier packaging, Hinge-Guard caps, and high-quality plastics to ensure the integrity of their products.

In addition to these technologies NOW employs organoleptic testing (tests that utilize the five senses) as an extra safeguard to ensure that their products are as fresh as possible. They want you to be as confident in product freshness and quality as they are. They also employ highly-qualified Quality Control technicians who have been with NOW for many years and are experts in identifying ingredients that don’t meet their unique and rigorous quality standards.

In order to ensure that NOW products maintain their freshness through the “Best By” date printed on their packaging, they perform a battery of stability tests, including real-time, high temperature, and humidity-accelerated testing. Rest assured that when you receive your order, you’re getting products that are fresh and efficacious.

NOW Foods has the expertise, facilities, equipment, procedures, and trained professionals to be able to provide fresh natural products at affordable prices. Providing value in products and services that empower people to lead healthier lives is their mission, and product freshness is their guarantee.

Safety Is NOW Foods' Top Priority
At NOW foods, your concern for safety is their concern for safety. They take countless steps to ensure they select safe ingredients and they follow those ingredients through the manufacturing process to finished packaging, testing each step of the way for contaminants and imperfections. Ensuring safety requires robust and rigorous systems and processes. Their state of the art facility and equipment and their dedicated professional staff work hard to ensure product safety for everyone.

Some examples of the many systems and processes NOW has put in place to ensure product safety:

• NOW examines the toxicological and safety data for their ingredients when formulating their products. Their scientists work to ensure that products are formulated at safe ingredient levels.
  
  
• NOW works with trusted, high quality raw material suppliers. NOW determines their commitment to safety and audits all of them to ensure that they too have systems and processes for safety and quality.
  
  
• NOW tests all their products and ingredients for adulterants and contaminants. This includes testing for heavy metals, microbiological contamination, cross contamination and for specific allergens and gluten. They test their water and air to ensure there is no outside contamination coming in and test to make sure their equipment is clean and sanitized.
  
  
• NOW manufacturing processes follow dietary supplement cGMPs and they are certified by the National Products Association. They use HACCP (Hazard Analysis Contamination Control Point) systems to identify potential hazards and to put in place barriers to prevent them from occurring. These hazards include metals, glass, pests and microbial contamination.
  
  
• NOW manufacturing control systems are automated. Their electronic MRP (Manufacturing Resource Planning) system is designed to ensure that the correct materials are used in production with measures such as bar codes to double check accuracy. They have many other checks and balances in manufacturing including separate QC inspection processes.
  
  
• NOW QC inspectors accept or reject raw materials, in-process materials, and finished products, based on meeting specifications. Their QC inspectors work independently from their manufacturing personnel so as to eliminate any conflict of interest.
  
  
• NOW products are packaged in containers designed to protect their integrity. They strive to ensure the safety and freshness of all their products through their shelf life.
  
  
• NOW makes sure that all necessary cautions and warnings are placed on product labels, and that any allergens are clearly identified. They have a rigorous label approval process designed to best comply with all relevant laws and regulations and they exceed federal requirements for allergen labeling by also including corn and gluten. As an added layer of caution, NOW is a peanut-free processing facility.

NOW Foods firmly believes that exceptional finished products start with the best quality raw materials. To ensure product quality from start to finish, NOW works with the industry’s most trusted and reputable raw material suppliers, many of whom are GMP and/or Organic Certified. All vendors are thoroughly screened in accordance with their strict Quality Assurance standards, and each is required to submit a detailed certificate of analysis on every lot that is shipped. NOW Quality technicians perform mandatory inspections on all incoming batches of raw materials. Additionally, audits are conducted to ensure that their key raw material suppliers are in compliance with NOW’s demanding quality standards.

If an incoming batch of raw material does not meet NOW quality standards, they have no reservations when it comes to rejecting and returning it. Chondroitin is just one of many examples. In one recent year, NOW pre-tested 45 batches for potency, identity and potential contamination. Of the 45 batches tested throughout the year, only 4 were accepted after meeting NOW strict quality standards. The other 41 batches were rejected and returned to their suppliers.

The relationships that NOW has forged over the years are rooted in a collective desire to provide today’s health-seeking consumers with superior health products. With assistance and input from nearly a dozen different departments, they work closely with our raw material providers to ensure product quality from the very start. Strong attention to detail and consistent scrutiny in choosing their raw materials are visible throughout each phase of the manufacturing process. This constant scrutiny is of immeasurable worth when it comes to ensuring that the NOW products on your shelves have been carefully tended to; from the moment they arrive at their facility to the time they are shipped to customers.

Commitment to Quality by Al Powers, President - NHG Inc.
"It is sometimes difficult to believe that NOW has just celebrated its 40th birthday. Looking back at the history of the company, they have made many commitments, including the commitment made by Elwood Richard in his health food store back in 1968 to offer our customers exceptional value. During this time, NOW has experienced tremendous growth and expansion. They have progressed from a family-run health food store to a leader in the nutritional supplement industry. They have fought for the rights of consumers to use dietary supplements. And through it all, they have never lost sight of their mission to provide value in products and services that empower people to lead healthier lives.

But these are different times, and the industry is constantly being challenged. False media reports have consistently downplayed the value of dietary supplements, challenging their efficacy and safety.

NOW has, and will continue to be, committed to manufacturing quality products. This includes the utilization of current, cutting-edge science in the formulation of our products, strict scrutiny when choosing raw materials, advanced testing and validated methods development, and the employment of skilled, highly trained individuals who are passionate about fulfilling our mission.

As a company, NOW is one of the most visible quality advocates in the natural products industry. In addition to assisting in the development of the Natural Products Association’s Standards Committee, they have initiated, promoted, and supported initiatives to validate the safety and benefit of nutritional supplements. NOW has a full-time truth advocate who responds to misleading science and media reports, as well as one of the most dedicated teams of Quality Control and Quality Assurance professionals in the industry. In short, you don’t have to look too far to see that NOW Foods is committed to what they do. This is a commitment that grows daily, as they continue to understand the changing needs of those they serve.

NOW is also committed to social and environmental responsibility. They want to make their products affordable, but at the same time available to those who can’t afford them. NOW’s partnership with charitable organizations such as the Vitamin Angel Alliance is a reflection of their commitment to make products available to those who have the least amount of resources and the greatest need. NOW has also been recognized as a leader in environmental responsibility, as they continue to explore new ways to preserve our natural resources for future generations.

In today’s business world of corporate takeovers and industry consolidation, NOW remains a family owned company that will continue to strive to honor our commitments for generations to come!"

Quality Assurance by Michael Lelah Ph.D, Technical Director
"Over the past few years, NOW has made tremendous strides in the quality of our products, and we are proud to tell you how we have done this using leading methods and procedures. With the industry constantly evolving, we too have evolved in order to offer products that exceed the expectations of those of you who recommend, use, and sell them.

In short, NOW products work. Our products are formulated for safety and we strive to be as natural as possible. Our products are manufactured according to Good Manufacturing Practices and tested to exceed the stringent specifications set fourth by the FDA. These web pages on quality, in essence, are our way of opening the doors to you. We want to share our practices with you, so that you can understand what we are doing to improve product quality—not only for NOW products, but for the greater good of the entire Natural Products Industry.

From start to finish, our quality processes are robust. NOW’s staff of experienced scientists and technicians fully understand the concept of natural product quality. More importantly, our skilled professionals are well versed in applying in-depth technical understanding to meet your needs. Throughout these web-pages, you will see some of our employees in their actual day-to-day roles. We believe that this will provide you with a clearer understanding of what we do, how we do it, and why it is so important.

We test. We check. We verify. We are vigilant. We integrate leading-edge science and research to understand and identify the characteristics of our ingredients. We also closely scrutinize our ingredients for potential contamination, adulteration, or dilution. We work closely with our suppliers and have learned from over 40 years of experience how to select and test these ingredients prior to manufacturing. This scrutiny yields products that we are confident taking ourselves and recommending to our own loved ones. Ultimately, we go to these lengths to earn and keep your trust. In the event that a mistake is made, we work to correct it by initiating procedures that prevent it from happening again.

In order to bring you products that are both affordable and of the highest quality, we refuse to cut corners.Instead, we rely on our other strengths—strong buying power, reduced overhead expenses, managed distribution costs, and efficient manufacturing. Year after year we have significantly increased our investment in quality above and beyond our industry colleagues. These collective measures result in contemporary formulas that meet today’s needs; products that are developed with safety in mind and are As Natural As Possible.

Many of you have written to us to tell us about the good job we are doing, and some of your letters are posted on our web-site to read and review. On behalf of the entire NOW family, I hope that our products will bring you and your customers continued health and wellness."

NOW’s experienced professional and technical staff formulates products to be of the highest quality. They have a group of biochemists, chemists, nutritionists, and food technologists who review current science and nutritional parameters, and formulate products to be effective for the intended use. Their structure/function claims are based on science for active ingredients, and on nutritional science for nutritional content. Serving sizes are based on doses from clinical studies and other published data. Contemporary formulas are designed to meet the health and wellness needs of today’s consumers. NOW uses ingredients that have been tested for effectiveness in clinical trials and laboratory studies.

The heart of NOW science is third party independent research. They investigate and review clinical studies and other lab studies conducted on their ingredients and formulas. The best science is used to support best formulations which lead to best quality.

NOW products are constantly being tested in clinical trials conducted at top universities and research centers around the country and in various parts of the world. Their products are being tested to determine such things as effectiveness for joint support, quality of life for cancer patients, cardiovascular support, and athletic endurance. Effective products mean health and wellness benefits, which mean quality.

World-Class Laboratories
The role of microbiology in quality control at NOW Foods is expanding daily to encompass a wide variety of quality and safety issues.

Incoming raw materials and natural food products as well as any supplements formulated and manufactured off site are tested for the presence of undesirable microbes. Materials that do not meet NOW’s stringent specifications are returned to the vendor with an explanation detailing the reason for refusal.

To ensure all products manufactured at NOW remain free of biological contaminants, various sites throughout the manufacturing plant are monitored regularly for the presence of unwanted microbes.

In addition to ensuring quality and safety, NOW’s microbiologists are also directly involved in the formulation of active bacteria products such as probiotics containing acidophilus. NOW Foods has made substantial investment in the development and staffing of an in-house laboratory to meet ever-increasing demands for accurate product analysis of herbal and nutritional raw materials as well as finished consumer products.

Their expert team of highly qualified scientists and technicians work in tandem to develop new and improved analytical methods with the highest accuracy and precision possible to ensure NOW Foods’ products will remain among the best the market has to offer.

To assist in this mission, NOW’s recently renovated and expanded laboratory facilities feature state-of-the-art testing equipment includinghigh performance liquid chromatographs (HPLC), a new Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) and an ultraviolet/visible spectrometer (UV/VIS). Primary analyses are also performed in house using Gas Chromatography (GC) and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (GCMS).

NOW’S analytical chemists are also second to none and widely recognized as being among the industry’s best and most accomplished.

News Flash – August 2008: The Natural Products Association (formerly NNFA) has re-certified NOW Foods, Bloomingdale, IL as an "A-rated" GMP facility. This follows another rigorous inspection by an independent auditor for the Natural Products Association.

NOW Foods’ 250,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art manufacturing facility with complete Quality Assurance and Quality Control systems and processes has been GMP certified and “A-rated” by NPA/NNFA since 2000. Today, NPA GMP Certification includes all requirements for the new FDA dietary supplement cGMPs, and more.

NOW’s GMP certification covers standard operating procedures, employee training, product specifications, expiration dating, vendor certifications and much more. Standard operating procedures include sampling and testing incoming materials according to NOW Foods specifications, inspecting manufacturing processes, and testing finished products to specifications. Tests include organoleptic evaluation (human senses such as sight, taste, smell), physical testing of tablets and capsules, chemical identity of ingredients, potency and contamination testing by the company’s in-house state-of-the-art analytical testing lab, as well as microbiological testing by NOW Foods’ in-house rapid analysis microbiological lab.

"Our GMP certification by the NPA is a cornerstone of our commitment to quality,” said Michael Lelah, Ph.D., NOW Foods Technical Director. “As industry leaders in analytical and microbiological testing, we have the technical and professional personnel, lab facilities, standards and procedures to ensure the highest quality products. Our quality to commitment also includes continuous improvement programs to get even better."

NOW Foods’ 209,000 square foot facility is widely regarded as one of the most scientifically-advanced in the natural products industry. In addition to a thermostatically-controlled, space-maximizing warehouse, precision-inspired operations division, and temperature sensitive storage and refrigeration areas, NOW’s corporate facility also contains three in-house laboratories. Not only does this expedite the testing of raw materials, samples, and finished products, it allows for a level of quality control that is virtually unmatched within the Natural Products Industry. Ultimately, NOW’s facility plays a pivotal role in their ability to achieve consistent levels of quality, efficacy, and safety.

The testing of raw materials, in-process formulas and finished products is an ongoing responsibility at NOW Foods. Experienced, educated, and highly trained technicians rely on the latest technology to perform a variety of tests throughout the entire manufacturing process. These include Identity, Potency, Microbial, Organoleptic, and Contamination. And while each type of testis important in manufacturing quality products, Microbial testing is critical in ensuring that NOW products are safe and free of biological contamination. A technologically-advanced, in-house microbiology lab that allows NOW scientists to provide unparalleled quality microbiological control in a timely manner, using rapid method analysis.

NOW has made substantial investments in the development and staffing of their various in-house laboratories, including an analytical laboratory, wet lab, and a state-of-the-art microbiology laboratory. Also, NOW is one of the very few vitamin suppliers capable of testing for microbes in-house, allowing for greater control standards. NOW’s investment ensures that the company will be able to meet ever increasing demands for accurate product analysis of herbal and nutritional raw materials, as well as finished consumer products.

Over the course of the past year, NOW’s Bloomingdale, IL home manufacturing and distribution facility has undergone a major expansion project. Upon completion, a total of 54,000 square feet of new manufacturing and laboratory space will be available to accommodate NOW’s current and future growth.

The two-story expansion project will add 27,000 square feet per level and will house a number of new facilities. These will include four new state of the art labs, including physical, micro, cosmetic, and food testing facilities. The addition of Real Time Lab Capability, along with a dedicated Prep lab will allow NOW scientists the opportunity for increased environmental isolation during product development and testing. In addition, the expansion will include the construction of additional office space, with over two dozen new employee cubicles, five additional offices, and a dedicated area for photography and imaging.

According to Dan Mirjanic, NOW’s Engineering Manager, “This expansion is ultimately going to enable a whole new level of technological advancement within the NOW organization.” He added, “The entire facility will be fully cGMP compliant, and many measures have been implemented to accommodate both current and future growth.”

In keeping with NOW’s tradition of Operations and Engineering excellence, several design features have been utilized to ensure safety and organizational efficiency. These include, but are not limited to, the installation of epoxy-coated flooring, plastic-coated wall structures, and dedicated heating and air conditioning units.

These initiatives offer a wide range of health and productivity benefits, reducing the risk for potential cross contamination. This project is estimated for completion by the end of 2009. With the expansion soon complete, NOW will be even better prepared to meet the needs of their retailers and to fulfill their mission to empower people to lead healthier lives.

Customer Focused and Information Driven
NOW Foods believe that their products, services, and the decisions they make should be primarily influenced by the desires and needs of their customers. Decisions should be based on accurate information, and therefore NOW Foods places a high value on knowledge and learning within their organization.

Quality and Value Oriented
Acting in the best interest of their customers, NOW Foods endeavors to produce the highest quality products at competitive prices. Their first priority is to maintain quality where it counts the most – in the products. Their exceptional cost-conscious team of employees then focuses their energies on driving costs down. Nurturing this competency of value drives their ability to provide high quality products at the very best prices.

Natural is Better
NOW Foods is convinced that natural products are better than their synthetic counterparts and produce better results in human health. Therefore, wherever possible, they strive to provide products that contain natural ingredients because they are better for their customers.

Employee Focused
NOW Foods is committed to their most valuable resource, their employees. As a family-owned business, they strive to maintain a safe, family-friendly work environment where employees can achieve their full potential through challenging work with individual & team successes. Their goal is simple, yet unending – to make NOW more than a great place to work; they want to be recognized as one of the best places to work.

Honesty, Integrity & Respect
NOW Foods encourages open and honest communication and strives to maintain an environment of trust and respect with customers, vendors and employees. They believe in the Golden Rule - "Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you" – and they apply it as one of the guiding principles on how they conduct business. Also, they make every effort to be socially responsible in their use of resources and they support programs that improve the quality of the environment.

Over the past decade, NOW has made significant efforts to set an example of environmental sustainability throughout our community, as well as the natural products industry. In addition to being awarded the Earth flag in 2006, the Illinois Recycling Association’s award for Outstanding Business Recycling in 2007, and the Governor’s Award for Pollution Prevention in 2008, NOW continues to implement innovative new methods for reducing waste, conserving energy, and minimize our carbon footprint.

In keeping with the company’s commitment to the environment, NOW recently completed the installation of its own Solar Panel Grid System. Strategically located atop the northwest corner of NOW’s 250,000 sq foot manufacturing facility, the 7,095 watt solar energy system is made up of thirty-three (33) individual 215 watt solar modules, along with one power inverter. A solar grid of this magnitude can generate 10,358 kilowatt hours (kH) of electricity per year, on average.

Over the course of one year, this new system will eliminate 12,366 pounds of carbon dioxide, 18 pounds of Nitrous Oxide, and 13 pounds of Sulfur Dioxide from entering our atmosphere. This is equivalent to not driving a car for 15,618 miles and planting 1 acre of trees. According to Dan Mirjanic, NOW’s Engineering manager, the solar grid has been positioned in a manner that allows for the greatest efficiency possible, and in a manner which allows future expansion. One of the most fascinating aspects of NOW’s new solar energy system is that anyone with access to a computer and the internet can log on to see exactly how much electricity has been generated. This web-based solar energy monitoring system provides both live and historical data on how much carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and sulfur dioxide has been avoided, in addition to current as past electricity output.

Environmental Achievements

2008, NOW Foods named "Corporate Hero" from "The Better World Shopping Guide", by Ellis Jones.
2008, Governors Pollution Prevention Award from the State of Illinois
2007, Outstanding BusinessRecycling Program from The Illinois Recycling Association.
2006, Earth Flag, from the DuPage County Board of Illinois.
2005, Environmental and Sustainability Award from the Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ)
2004, Environmental and Sustainability Award from the Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ)
2003, The Green Cross for Safety Excellence Achievement Award
2002, NOW Foods takes Silver in the NBJ award for Environmental Category.
2001, Community Service Award, from the IPRA, Illinois Park and Recreation Association and the IAPA, Illinois Association of Park Districts.

At NOW Foods, they have the best professional staff to ensure the highest quality products available. Their team of highly qualified scientists and technicians has many years of combined experience in the natural products industry, and in other relevant industries. They have many professional disciplines, including chemists, biochemists, nutritionists, food technologists, and product formulators.

NOW's team of scientists includes many with advanced degrees, including eight Ph.D.'s and one M.D. They also work with respected industry consultants. All of their lab chemists have degrees and many of their experienced product formulation and quality control staff have professional qualifications which set them apart from their industry colleagues. Some of their scientists and nutritionists have published NOW analytical methods and other natural product science, in scientific and technical journals. Their scientists and nutritionists have given presentations on their work at scientific and technical conferences.

To further NOW's commitment to their customers, they have a team of professional nutritionists and product specialists available to answer product and nutritional questions.

At NOW Foods, "Quality is Affordable," and this does not apply to just their products. Having been in business for over 30 years, they have seen the lean years along with the good, which helps them remain well grounded in what really matters – helping people.

This ideal goes hand-in-hand with NOW Foods’ original goal; to make health attainable by making quality dietary supplements affordable, thereby improving the quality of life for not only their customers, but for people everywhere.

NOW is committed to sharing their good fortune with others. They give to various charities in a direct and efficient manner, and continue to seek those charities that are "self-enabling" or encourage and teach recipients to help themselves.

In the pursuit of their charitable endeavors, NOW always seeks to give to those charities that have a proven track record of success in helping others, especially when their goals coincide with their company mission and industry philosophy. NOW carefully screens charitable foundations to insure that donations are used in the spirit in which they were given, for the good of those less fortunate.

In addition, NOW encourages employees to participate in charities of their choice. Many of NOW’s employees champion different charities they believe in.

NOW considers charity a duty of those who are fortunate in life. They believe in the creed "Do unto others as you would have done unto you." NOW Foods will continue to give to charitable efforts that enhance the lives of those less fortunate.

“It is a flame which sinks for lack of fuel…”
- Pierre Corneille

Athletes are one of the most unique breeds of life roaming the earth.  On the surface, their traits are simple; sweat beaded foreheads, high-tech stop watches, chiseled  physiques, running shoes, corporately endorsed attire, etc.  But when you take just a moment to peer into what really makes an athlete an athlete, it’s becomes easy to see what sets them apart. 

From bikers to bodybuilders, sprinters to swimmers, athletes epitomize what it means to be alive.  These modern day, physically motivated warriors thrive on personal achievement, lament the thought of failure and in the process, subject their bodies to immeasurable amounts of pain and exhaustion.  But these aren’t just traits to an athlete – they’re prerequisites.

When you consider the enormous nutritional needs of the average busy adult, then and only then, can you begin to appreciate what the most physically active individuals require in order to succeed.  And while these needs vary from sport to sport and lifestyle to lifestyle, there’s simply no denying their never-ending need to fuel, refuel and repeat.  So whether you’re just starting out, or make it your life’s work, here are a few ways to get the most out of your training. 

Essential Electrolytes

Every human being is at the mercy of their diet to provide them with a solid foundation of nutrients.  This is especially true in the case of endurance athletes, bodybuilders and other adrenaline-seeking competitors.  During intense physical training, the body calls upon its reserve of electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium to provide the spark needed for increased respiration, muscle contractions, nerve impulses and countless other functions.

A well-stocked cellular arsenal of these nutrients can ultimately lead to greater levels of sustained endurance, muscular strength and mental clarity.  Deprivation, on the other hand, is an invitation for disaster.  When the body is pushed to extremes, but unable to locate what it needs, it becomes prone to fatigue, cramping, nausea and headaches.  Not to mention, last place. Products such as Carbo Gain and ZMA can provide a solid base of nutrients.  (See reverse for detailed specifications).

Protein for Optimal Performance

Sending a frail, malnourished warrior into battle is the biological equivalent of trying to win the Daytona 500 on a set of roller-skates.  Under no circumstances should this be attempted.  Though popularized by bodybuilders, protein supplementation is imperative for athletes at every stage and skill set.  Its role in muscular development still accounts for its unceasing popularity, though many users don’t realize that protein has many other responsibilities.    

As one of the body’s key structural building-blocks, the amino acids in protein are actively involved in the repair and development of muscle fibers, hormone, antibodies and enzymes – each one vital to the success of any hard working athlete.  Over the past 10 years or so, the science of isolating and manufacturing protein supplements has advanced far beyond what anyone could have possibly predicted.  Today’s products are very pleasant tasting, highly bioavailable (easy to absorb), nutritionally optimized and available in a number of different flavors.

The Edge

If you consider yourself a serious, competition-minded athlete, you already know how important the “edge” is when it comes to your success.  Regardless of whether it’s shaving a second off your personal best, squeezing out one more rep on the bench, or bumping up your batting average by just a tenth of a point, the difference between achieving first place and an honorable mention may be a simple as knowing what specialty nutrients can make it so.

Thanks to impressive advances in the science of sports nutrition, there are plenty to choose from these days.  Creatine monohydrate, for example, helps foster the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a mitochondrial chemical that makes it possible to store, produce and use energy for muscular contractions.  Another, branched chain amino acids (BCAA), help increase protein synthesis by promoting anabolic balance by preventing the catabolism that typically occurs during intense training.  Pyruvate, a unique pairing of calcium and pyruvic acid, helps facilitate the transfer of glucose from the bloodstream into muscles where it supports the production of metabolic energy.

When it comes to fueling your body with the nutrients and compounds it needs to perform at its pinnacle, quality takes top priority.  Purchasing a line of supplements based on the allure of the label won’t do a thing for your ability to improve, physically.  In fact, it may end up costing you more than just money in the long run.