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NOW Foods Supplements: Scored and Compared
NOW Foods is one of the largest supplement manufacturers in the US, founded in 1968. They operate NPA GMP-audited facilities and have built a strong reputation for delivering reliable quality at accessible prices.
Brand Overview
NOW Foods is one of the largest supplement manufacturers in the US, founded in 1968. They operate NPA GMP-audited facilities and have built a strong reputation for delivering reliable quality at accessible prices. NOW does not chase premium positioning - they produce straightforward formulations at high volume and pass the savings on. Their products rarely earn top marks for quality certifications (most lack USP or NSF verification), but they also rarely disappoint. For budget-conscious buyers who want a brand with a decades-long track record, NOW Foods is the most reliable mid-tier option available.
Brand Quality Assessment
Strengths
- +Consistently among the lowest prices in every category
- +NPA GMP-audited manufacturing with ISO 17025 lab
- +Decades-long track record with broad product selection
- +Informed Sport certification on select sports nutrition products
Weaknesses
- -Most products lack independent third-party certifications (USP, NSF)
- -Uses standard (not always premium) ingredient forms
- -Quality documentation is not always prominently displayed
Best for
Budget-conscious buyers who want a reliable brand with a long history. Particularly strong on value-tier magnesium, zinc, and B vitamins.
Score Breakdown (Averages)
All NOW Foods Products We Have Scored (14)
Sports Creatine Monohydrate Powder
NOW Sports
Strong value with Informed Sport certification from a trusted brand
Prices checked 2025-03-01. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
CurcuBrain 400mg Curcumin (Longvida)
NOW FoodsLongvida was developed with brain bioavailability specifically in mind - free curcumin (not conjugated metabolites) is detected in human plasma at meaningful levels, suggesting better CNS delivery. A good choice if cognitive or mood benefits are the goal.
Prices checked 2025-03-01. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Sports Whey Protein Isolate
NOW Sports
The strongest value among certified pure isolates in this comparison. Delivers 25g protein per scoop from a single, verified source at a price that competes with uncertified products.
Prices checked 2025-03-01. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
NOW Foods Vitamin D-3 5000 IU
NOW FoodsNOW Foods has a strong reputation for quality-to-price ratio. NPA audited facility.
Prices checked 2025-03-01. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
NOW Foods Vitamin B-12 1000 mcg
NOW Foods250-count bottle represents strong value. NOW Foods consistently delivers reliable quality at accessible prices.
Prices checked 2025-03-01. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Melatonin 3mg
NOW FoodsSolid choice at a reasonable dose. 3mg is arguably the highest dose most people need - if this is not working, the problem is likely not the dose.
Prices checked 2025-03-01. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
NOW Foods Magnesium Glycinate
NOW FoodsHard to beat on price-per-serving for magnesium glycinate. NOW Foods is a reliable mid-tier brand.
Prices checked 2025-03-01. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 (500 EPA / 250 DHA)
NOW FoodsEnteric coating means fewer fishy burps. High concentration at a competitive price. 180-count bottle lasts 3-6 months.
Prices checked 2025-03-01. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
NOW Foods Iron Bisglycinate 36mg
NOW FoodsThe most cost-effective bisglycinate option in this comparison. Good choice for budget-conscious buyers who do not require NSF or USP certification.
Prices checked 2025-03-01. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Ashwagandha 450mg Standardized Extract
NOW FoodsBudget-friendly option, but note that generic extracts may not match the clinical results of KSM-66 or Sensoril
Prices checked 2025-03-01. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
NOW Foods Ubiquinol 100mg
NOW FoodsBest value ubiquinol option with Kaneka QH sourcing. A 120-count bottle is the sweet spot for cost per dose. Lacks a top-tier third-party cert but NOW's track record is solid.
Prices checked 2025-03-01. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Probiotic-10 25 Billion
NOW FoodsHard to beat on price for a 25 billion CFU enteric-coated product from a reputable brand
Prices checked 2025-03-01. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
NOW Foods Collagen Peptides Powder
NOW FoodsNOW Foods has a long track record of reasonable quality at accessible prices. At $0.38/day, this is the best value for a no-frills bovine collagen that hits the evidence-based dose range. Lacks product-level third-party testing that premium brands provide.
Prices checked 2025-03-01. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Zinc Picolinate 50 mg
NOW FoodsWarning: 50mg per serving exceeds the 40mg tolerable upper intake level and provides no copper. Long-term daily use at this dose without concurrent copper supplementation can cause copper deficiency. If you use this product, either take half a capsule or add 1-2mg copper daily.
Prices checked 2025-03-01. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Product Comparison
| Product | Supplement Type | Grade | Cost/Day | Third-Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sports Creatine Monohydrate Powder | Creatine Monohydrate | A- | $0.19 | Yes |
CurcuBrain 400mg Curcumin (Longvida) | Turmeric / Curcumin | A- | $0.40 | Yes |
Sports Whey Protein Isolate | Whey Protein Isolate | A- | $0.92 | Yes |
NOW Foods Vitamin D-3 5000 IU | Vitamin D3 | B+ | $0.04 | Yes |
NOW Foods Vitamin B-12 1000 mcg | Vitamin B12 | B+ | $0.04 | Yes |
Melatonin 3mg | Melatonin | B+ | $0.04 | No |
NOW Foods Magnesium Glycinate | Magnesium Glycinate | B+ | $0.09 | Yes |
NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 (500 EPA / 250 DHA) | Fish Oil (Omega-3) | B+ | $0.11 | Yes |
NOW Foods Iron Bisglycinate 36mg | Iron (Bisglycinate) | B+ | $0.12 | Yes |
Ashwagandha 450mg Standardized Extract | Ashwagandha | B+ | $0.14 | No |
NOW Foods Ubiquinol 100mg | CoQ10 (Ubiquinol) | B+ | $0.25 | Yes |
Probiotic-10 25 Billion | Probiotic (General Multi-Strain) | B | $0.20 | No |
NOW Foods Collagen Peptides Powder | Collagen Peptides | B | $0.38 | No |
Zinc Picolinate 50 mg | Zinc | B- | $0.08 | No |
FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products discussed on this page are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.