NOW Foods Review: All About the Brand

Health supplements are everywhere nowadays and make for a great addition to many health and wellness regimes. However, finding trustworthy and reputable brands can be challenging due to the sheer number of choices out there.

NOW Foods has been around since the late 1960s, so it’s fair to say that they’ve made their mark in the industry. In our complete NOW Foods review below, we look at who this company is and what supplements they have to offer.

NOW FOODS Highlights: Pros and Cons

NOW Foods Pros:

• More than 1,400 products on offer
• A family-owned company passionate about health foods and supplements
• Very affordable products
• Strong focus on environmental sustainability

NOW Foods Cons:

• No customer reviews on NOW’s website

Who Are NOW Foods? About the Brand

At first glance, NOW Foods immediately comes across as a well-respected and professional company. The website is filled with relevant information regarding the brand, its history, the people behind it, the manufacturing, distribution, testing facilities, environmental sustainability practices, and lots more. There is seemingly nothing neglected from the website, which is wonderful to see.

Founded in 1968 by Elwood Richard, a trained nutritionist, NOW Foods has been around for more than 50 years and has established itself as a big player in the natural products industry. They have carefully crafted a high-quality supplement line that consists of more than 1,400 products, selling everything from foods and supplements to sports nutrition and beauty products.

NOW supplements are sold all around the world, but the company is headquartered in Bloomingdale, Illinois. They claim to be one of the premier manufacturers in the natural products industry and own and operate several manufacturing and distribution facilities in the U.S. and Canada.

Five decades after launching, NOW Foods remains a family-owned business to this day. The company is committed to providing the finest wholesome foods and nutritional supplements at affordable prices. The brand is all about empowering people to live healthier, happier lives.

NOW Foods Reviews: What Customers Say About the Brand

You will find mostly positive customer reviews online on third-party sites like Amazon and eVitamins. Surprisingly though, there are no product reviews directly on the NOW Foods site, which is strange and a little concerning. This is especially odd because the site features a “Product Feedback” form that allows customers to submit reviews.

Nevertheless, according to third-party sites, customers generally seem happy with NOW supplements. Since the brand has such a wide range of products, it would be very time-consuming and nearly impossible to check all reviews, but we did have a quick look at a couple.

According to third-party sites, customers generally seem happy with NOW supplements.

NOW Foods mushroom supplement comes in the form of “Rei-Shi” capsules, which is a blend of reishi and shiitake extract. Reviews left on Amazon indicate that most customers had a positive experience with the product. Still, a few weren’t so happy with the results, stating that it wasn’t effective and that no improvement was felt, among other things.

On the eVitamins site, Cholesterol Support, Green Coffee Diet Support, and Pure Xylitol were among the products given a scathing 1-star rating. If you’re the type of customer that makes purchasing decisions based on what other customers have to say about a product, we would steer clear of these items. For the most part, though, NOW Foods’ other supplements have mostly good ratings.

It’s also worth noting that NOW Foods has never claimed its Trustpilot profile and only has three reviews on the site. Trustpilot is widely regarded as the top third-party review site in the health industry, and most reputable brands have a presence on the platform.

NOW Products: Manufacturing Processes and Quality

NOW Foods is fully committed to offering high-quality health products at affordable prices. The company’s main focus is on creating products made with ingredients found in nature. They are very conscious of the fact that many brands throw the term “natural” around loosely. Rather than simply stating that its products are natural, NOW strives to create supplements that are as close to nature as possible.

NOW’s products are formulated without artificial ingredients and are minimally processed. You can read all about the company’s dedication to natural ingredients, as well as a list of ingredients that they will never use on their website.

To ensure products meet their high standards NOW controls the manufacturing process from start to finish. They operate a 24-hour manufacturing facility in Bloomingdale where Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) are employed at every step.

Several processes and procedures have been put in place to ensure the quality and safety of all supplements. For instance, ingredient suppliers are randomly audited to ensure they follow good manufacturing processes and adhere to regulations. Additionally, ingredients and finished products are tested in their state-of-the-art laboratories to ensure top-quality.

In fact, every batch of ingredients that arrives at the facility goes through testing before being used. This is done to ensure the batch isn’t contaminated with other ingredients and that it meets their standards. They operate several different types of labs to do all sorts of testing.

Once the ingredients pass the initial testing, they are sent to production to be used in producing various supplements. Various tests are done throughout the production process and on the end product to ensure customers receive a safe and effective supplement they can trust. The company reportedly conducts approximately 16,000 lab tests on a monthly basis.

What To Expect From The NOW Foods Product Range

NOW Foods sells a vast range of health products, too much to cover in one review. Below, we explore the six product categories on the website and what to expect under each product line. Be sure to visit the NOW Foods website for a full look at what they have to offer.

NOW Supplements

NOW’s vitamins and supplements line consists of a range of essential vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients for optimal health. On the website, you can search for products according to four categories, as seen below:

• Diet: Kosher, corn-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, organic, vegan/vegetarian, halal, and more.
• Category: Antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, herbs & botanicals, amino acids, and more.
• Health Need: Bone & joint support, diet & weight management, men’s health, women’s health, eye health, sleep & mood support, skin health, digestive support, and more.
• Form: Capsules, liquids, sprays, powders, creams/lotions, softgels, and more.

The Saffron (50g) Mood Support capsules are one of the best-selling supplements. These are designed to help maintain a positive mood and relaxed attitude.

There is a large range of vitamins to choose from, including Biotin capsules, Zinc Immune veg capsules, Calcium Ascorbate Powder, Daily Vits capsules, Women’s Multi-Vitamins, and lots more.

The Herbs & Botanicals line consists of American Ginseng capsules, Ashwagandha capsules, Barley Grass Juice Powder, Celery Seed Extract capsules, and Green Tea Extract capsules, among various other products.

NOW Health and Beauty Products

The health and beauty products on offer from NOW are also plentiful. Here’s the list of available categories to choose from:

• Beauty Supplements
• Body Care
• Carrier Oils
• Children’s Health
• Facial Care
• Hair Care
• Hygiene
• Men’s Personal Care
• Specialty & Seasonal Care
• Women’s Health

The “Spotlight Product” listed under this group is the Blemish Clear Gel Cleanser. This is a solution designed to deep cleanse and purify clogged pores. It’s ideal for oily, combination, and blemish-prone skin types. A 118ml bottle of this cleanser currently sells for $10.49. You can also shop according to skin type if you’re looking for a different solution.

If you would prefer a supplement rather than a topical product that you apply directly to your skin, check out the Wrinkle Rescue, Hydration Rescue, and Skin Brightener capsules, among other beauty supplements.

NOW Essential Oils

NOW’s essential oils can be searched according to Attributes, Scent, Purpose, and Oil Type. The scent options include the following: Camphoraceous, Floral, Mint, Musky, Spicy, Sweet, and Woodsy.

Turmeric oil is listed as the “Spotlight Product” and contains Curcuma longa (Turmeric) along with Rhizome Oil (ar-Turmerone CT). It’s described as having a spicy, earthy, and warm aroma and having a soothing, uplifting, and balancing effect. A 30ml bottle of turmeric oil is currently selling for $11.99.

Other popular options include Clove Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Peaceful Sleep Oil Blend, Rose Absolute Oil Blend, and Mental Focus Oil Blend.

NOW Sports Nutrition

NOW sports nutrition supplements are certified by Informed-Sport, the leading anti-doping organization in the world. This ensures that they are pure, safe, and effective for all athletes.

These supplements are divided into the following categories:

• Amino Acids
• Endurance
• Energy Production
• Protein Powders
• Mass Building
• Recovery
• Weight Management
• Other Sports Nutrition Products

The brand’s Pea Protein Vanilla Powder is listed as its Spotlight Product in this category. Peas are well-known for being a source of highly bioavailable protein and aren’t considered one of the major dietary allergens. This makes them a great source of post-workout nutrition for those who may struggle with other types of protein. The vanilla flavor means that it’s tasty and can be easily mixed into your favorite beverage.

Other good protein powders to try include Grass-Fed Whey Protein, Keto Protein, and MCT Powder. If you’re looking to boost energy levels, you may want to try the BCAA Blast Powder, available in a Tropical Punch and Raspberry flavor. Alternatively, if you prefer taking capsules, check out the Energy Extreme Veg Capsules or Pyruvate Veg Capsules.

NOW Natural Foods

The natural foods line from NOW consists of the following:

• Ancient Grains
• Cocoa & Cacao
• Cooking & Finishing Oils
• Dried Fruit
• Flours, Powders & Baking Mixes
• Grains, Rice & Beans
• Natural Snacks
• Nuts & Seeds
• Pasta
• Sprouting
• Sweeteners
• Teas & Drinks

The highlighted product in this range is NOW’s Matcha Green Tea Powder. It’s a highly concentrated, culinary-grade tea that is made without any other ingredients or additives. It can be mixed with water or added to your favorite milk. An 85-gram bag of tea powder costs $16.90.

The cooking and finishing oils line consists of a range of healthy cooking oils that also make for a delicious additive to even your most intricate and complex dishes. Some of the options include Almond Oil, Avocado Cooking Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Macadamia Nut Cooking Oil.

NOW Pet Food

NOW’s pet supplement line has been formulated by a renowned veterinarian, Dr. Barbara Royal, and is designed to keep your pets healthy and happy. It includes several types of products for cats and dogs, such as cardiovascular support tablets, immune support tablets, kidney support powder, pet relaxant tablets, and flea & tick spray.

The spotlight product in this category is Pet Allergy Chewable Tablets, which support a healthy immune system for cats and dogs. There are 75 chewable tablets in a bottle, and it costs $29.99.

Where to Buy NOW Food Products

The best place to buy NOW Foods products, including their mushroom supplements, is directly from the company website. These products are also available to purchase on third-party sites, such as Amazon and eVitamins, but the best way to ensure you’re getting the real deal is to go directly to the source.

There is a 30-day return policy although this only applies to products that were bought directly from nowfoods.com.

The company offers free shipping for orders of $50 or over to all states, with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii. A flat rate of $5.95 is charged for standard shipping to these states. This is the same shipping fee charged for orders under $50. Most orders take 2 to 5 business days to arrive from the order date.

It’s also worth noting that there is a 30-day return policy for all new, unopened items. However, this only applies to products that were bought directly from nowfoods.com.

Final Thoughts on NOW Foods

NOW Foods is a well-established and trusted brand within the health industry. The company has been around for more than 50 years, which certainly helps its credibility within the wellness space. There is no denying that this is a premium-quality brand with a hands-on approach to creating world-class supplements.

There are a few minor issues, such as no customer reviews being available directly on the company website. However, aside from that, we didn’t find much fault with this brand. All NOW Foods supplements are made in-house and tested rigorously before they are shipped out to customers, so you know you’re getting safe and effective products.

Final Verdict: 8/10