UPC: 733739000132
# N0013

NOW Sports Amino Complex / Amino Complete™ (360 Veg Capsules) – Full-Spectrum 20 Amino Acid Matrix with Vitamin B-6

Item Number: N0013 | UPC: 733739000132 | Brand: NOW Foods | Form: 360 Capsules (90 Servings)

The Quick Bottom Line

NOW Amino Complex (Amino Complete™ 360-count value size) provides your body with the direct cellular building blocks required for muscle protein synthesis, tissue repair, and everyday metabolic energy without making you drink bulky, bloat-inducing protein shakes. By uniting fast-acting free-form amino acids with pre-digested peptide-bound proteins and synergistic Vitamin B-6, this comprehensive 90-day supply delivers an uninterrupted amino acid pool directly to your bloodstream for workout recovery, muscular maintenance, and healthy aging.

  • ✓ Complete 20-Amino Matrix: Supplies all 9 essential amino acids (EAAs), branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), and non-essential amino acids in every 4-capsule serving.
  • ✓ Dual-Mechanism Digestion: Pairs rapid free-form aminos (L-glutamine, L-arginine, L-ornithine) with sustained peptide-bound isolates (whey, soy, casein) for multi-stage nitrogen retention.
  • ✓ Enhanced with Active Vitamin B-6: Delivers 13 mg of Pyridoxine HCl per serving to catalyze essential protein transamination and muscle cellular uptake.
  • ✓ Exceptional 90-Day Value Size: A full 360-capsule bottle engineered for dedicated athletes, seniors, and wellness seekers seeking long-term value.
  • ✓ Easy-to-Swallow Veg Capsules: Clean, portable nutrition with zero artificial sweeteners, zero dairy thickening gums, and zero digestive bloat.

Who Needs Amino Complex? The Daily Problem It Solves

Every physiological structure in your body—from muscle tissue, joint cartilage, and hair to digestive enzymes, antibodies, and neurotransmitters—is built from amino acids. While whole foods like chicken breast, eggs, or steak contain complete protein, your digestive tract must spend anywhere from two to four hours breaking down complex peptide bonds using stomach acid and pancreatic proteases before those nutrients can enter your circulation.

For hard-training athletes in urgent need of post-workout muscle repair, aging adults experiencing natural age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia), or individuals dealing with sluggish digestion, that multi-hour wait creates a recovery bottleneck. NOW Amino Complex solves this problem by delivering pre-fractionated amino acids in clean capsule form, giving your muscles prompt access to nitrogen substrates without overburdening your digestive system.

For Strength, Sports & Exercise Recovery

Take 4 capsules around your workouts to flood muscle beds with Branched-Chain Amino Acids (L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine). This helps trigger muscle protein synthesis (the biological switch for muscle rebuilding) and minimize exercise-induced muscle breakdown.

For Sensitive Stomachs & Low Appetite

Many people find traditional whey shakes heavy, chalky, or gas-inducing due to lactose, emulsifiers, or thickeners. Amino Complex delivers pure amino acid fractions in an easy capsule that bypasses heavy stomach churning.

For Preserving Muscle as We Age

As we get older, natural stomach acid production drops, making it harder to extract protein from everyday meals. Supplementing with balanced amino acids protects lean body mass, supports immune health, and preserves mobility.

The Dual-Action Science: Why "Peptide-Bound" Plus "Free-Form" Is Superior

Many generic amino supplements rely exclusively on single free-form powders or compressed whole-milk powders. NOW Amino Complex uses a smart dual-delivery architecture designed to maximize how efficiently your gut absorbs and retains amino acids:

1. The Peptide Fast-Track (PEPT1 Transporters)

Peptide-bound amino acids are short chains of two or three linked amino acids (known as dipeptides and tripeptides) derived from Whey Protein Isolate, Soy Protein Isolate, and Sodium Caseinate. In human intestinal physiology, short peptides do not rely on standard single-amino transport gates. Instead, they use a dedicated intestinal mucosal doorway called the PEPT1 transporter. PEPT1 absorbs peptide chains faster and with higher capacity than individual amino acid carriers, ensuring smooth, sustained amino delivery without overwhelming single transport pathways (Daniel, 2004).

2. Free-Form Precision (L-Glutamine, L-Arginine, L-Ornithine)

Pure crystalline free-form amino acids are already fully separated, meaning they need zero digestive enzyme action. They enter the bloodstream almost immediately. Free-form L-Arginine and L-Ornithine support the liver urea cycle to clear exercise-generated ammonia while encouraging nitric oxide production for cardiovascular blood flow. Simultaneously, added free-form L-Glutamine serves as the primary direct cellular fuel for intestinal enterocytes and immune cells, protecting gut integrity during physical stress.

3. Vitamin B-6: The Metabolic Spark Plug

Swallowing amino acids without sufficient Vitamin B-6 is like having a stack of bricks without a mason. Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) is converted by your liver into pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), an indispensable coenzyme that powers your body's transaminase enzymes. Transaminases are responsible for moving amino groups around, synthesizing non-essential aminos, and incorporating circulating amino acids into real muscle and organ tissue (Parra et al., 2018). Amino Complex provides 13 mg (765% Daily Value) to ensure these cellular enzymes run at peak performance.

Scientific Reference Citations:
• Daniel, H. (2004). Molecular and Integrative Physiology of Intestinal Peptide Transport. Annual Review of Physiology, 66, 361–384.
• Parra, M., Stahl, S., & Hellmann, H. (2018). Vitamin B6 and Its Role in Cell Metabolism and Physiology. Cells, 7(7), 84.
• Wolfe, R. R. (2017). Branched-Chain Amino Acids and Muscle Protein Synthesis in Humans: Myth or Reality? Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 14, 30.

Verified Supplement Facts & Complete Amino Acid Profile

We verify every label claim directly against manufacturer specifications. Below is the complete nutritional declaration and typical amino acid assay per 4-capsule serving:

Supplement Facts

Serving Size: 4 Veg Capsules

Servings Per Container: 90

Amount Per Serving % Daily Value
Calories 10
Protein 2 g 4%*
Vitamin B-6 (from Pyridoxine HCl) 13 mg 765%
Blend of Peptide-Bound Amino Acid Sources 2.8 g (2,800 mg)
(Whey Protein Isolate, Soy Protein Isolate, Sodium Caseinate) plus Free-Form Amino Acids (L-Glutamine, L-Arginine, L-Ornithine)
†

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
† Daily Value not established.

Typical Amino Acid Assay (Per 4 Capsules)

Values are natural averages and subject to natural agricultural variation across raw material lots.

Essential Amino Acids (EAAs) – Must Come From Diet
L-Histidine37 mg
L-Isoleucine (BCAA)115 mg
L-Leucine (BCAA – Primary mTOR Activator)205 mg
L-Lysine185 mg
L-Methionine35 mg
L-Phenylalanine72 mg
L-Threonine141 mg
L-Tryptophan37 mg
L-Valine (BCAA)141 mg
Non-Essential & Conditionally Essential Aminos
L-Alanine97 mg
L-Arginine (Free-form + Bound)276 mg
L-Aspartic Acid220 mg
L-Cysteine38 mg
L-Glutamic Acid410 mg
L-Glutamine (Free-form)204 mg
Glycine47 mg
L-Ornithine (Free-form)31 mg
L-Proline123 mg
L-Serine106 mg
L-Tyrosine66 mg

Other Ingredients: Hypromellose (cellulose capsule), Hydroxypropyl Cellulose, Stearic Acid (vegetable source), Silicon Dioxide.

Allergen Declaration: Contains milk (whey isolate, sodium caseinate) and soy (isolated soy protein).

Free From: Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut, or sesame ingredients. Produced in a GMP-certified facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.

Quality Assurance: NOW Brand Testing & Strict Contaminant Constraints

In an industry where many online brands rely on low-cost contract manufacturers who rarely test raw batches, NOW Foods sets the gold standard for independent quality verification. Headquartered in Bloomingdale, Illinois, NOW operates private, in-house analytical testing laboratories accredited to the rigorous international ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard.

Conducting more than 19,000 analytical tests every month, NOW subjects every batch of raw materials and finished capsules to rigorous screening protocols:

Heavy Metal Clearance (ICP-MS)

Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), NOW tests down to parts-per-billion (ppb) limits for heavy metal toxins: Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Arsenic (As), and Mercury (Hg). Standards are strictly verified to clear United States Pharmacopeia (USP <2232>) and California Proposition 65 safety rules.

Chromatographic Potency (HPLC & GC)

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography (GC-MS) verify that every amino acid matches its exact biological L-form enantiomer and potency guarantee, ensuring zero cheap nitrogen spiking or synthetic adulteration.

Microbiological Safety Screening

Every batch is tested against USP <2021> and <2022> microbial standards via bioluminescent assays and culture screening to ensure total absence of Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, alongside strict mold and yeast limits.

NPA & UL cGMP Certification

NOW manufacturing facilities are audited independently and hold 'A-rated' Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) registration through both the Natural Products Association (NPA) and UL Solutions (compliant with 21 CFR Part 111).

When you purchase NOW Amino Complex from VitaNet®, you know you are receiving authentic, laboratory-audited supplements that deliver exactly what the label declares.

Realistic Expectations, Daily Trade-Offs & Safety Contraindications

A fundamental tenet of trusted health guidance is transparency about who should take a supplement, who should not, and how it fits into your broader nutrition plan:

Who Should Exercise Caution or Avoid Use

Capsules vs. 30-Gram Protein Shakes: An Honest Look

One 4-capsule serving provides 2 grams of highly concentrated amino acids. If your fitness goal requires massive caloric surpluses (such as 150 to 200 grams of total daily protein for heavy bodybuilding), capsules cannot completely replace large whole-food meals or 30-gram whey protein shakes.

Instead, think of Amino Complex as a precision nitrogen tool: a convenient way to keep amino acid levels elevated between meals, directly around training, or when you are on the road and drinking a heavy shake is impractical or hard on your stomach.

How to Take NOW Amino Complex for Maximum Cellular Absorption

Standard Daily Serving

Take 4 capsules daily with a full 8-ounce glass of water or your favorite beverage.

The Fruit Juice Advantage

NOW recommends consuming these capsules preferably with fruit juice. The natural simple carbohydrates in juice prompt a mild insulin response, which helps shuttle amino acids rapidly across muscle cell membranes.

Workout Protocol

Athletes engaged in high-intensity training often take 4 capsules 30 minutes before training to preserve muscle tissue, and an additional 4 capsules post-workout to kickstart cellular recovery.

Storage Advice: Store the bottle in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight after opening. Do not discard the enclosed food-grade silica freshness packet; leave it in the bottle to protect the capsules from ambient humidity.

Why Source Your Supplements from VitaNet®, LLC?

Where you buy your supplements matters just as much as which brand you choose[cite: 1]. Large online marketplace platforms are flooded with third-party unauthorized sellers, products stored in unheated or sweltering warehouses, and bottles close to expiration[cite: 1].

VitaNet®, LLC is an independent, family-owned discount vitamin and herb retailer that has been serving customers online since 1995[cite: 1]. With over 31 years of direct industry experience and a practical understanding of human biochemistry, we handle every supplement with care and customer-first integrity[cite: 1]:

Unconditional 100% Money-Back Guarantee

We stand behind every single item in our catalog of more than 16,000 products[cite: 1]. If you are unsatisfied for any reason, we offer an unconditional 100% money-back guarantee[cite: 1]. We even pay the return shipping cost, even on opened bottles[cite: 1].

Climate-Controlled Physical Storefront

Unlike anonymous fulfillment drop-shippers, we operate an established brick-and-mortar storefront located at 887 Edison Street Northwest in Hartville, Ohio 44632[cite: 1]. Our inventory is stored under strict climate control to preserve delicate peptide bonds and vitamin potency[cite: 1].

Friendly Telephone Support

Have questions about your order or ingredient formulas[cite: 1]? Talk directly with knowledgeable staff by calling (330) 877-8786 during our regular store hours[cite: 1].

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is NOW Amino Complex / Amino Complete and what does it do?

NOW Amino Complex (marketed under the Amino Complete™ product line) is a comprehensive dietary supplement containing 20 distinct amino acids derived from peptide-bound protein sources (whey protein isolate, soy protein isolate, sodium caseinate) and free-form amino acids (L-glutamine, L-arginine, L-ornithine), fortified with Vitamin B-6. It supplies your body with the cellular materials needed for muscle recovery, tissue maintenance, and metabolic balance in an easy-to-digest capsule format.

How many servings are in the 360-capsule bottle?

With a recommended serving size of 4 capsules daily, the 360-capsule bottle provides 90 full servings—a complete three-month supply, offering outstanding value for daily supplementation.

What is the difference between peptide-bound and free-form amino acids?

Peptide-bound amino acids are small connected chains (di- and tri-peptides) that enter your circulation through fast-track intestinal PEPT1 transporters, providing steady and sustained release. Free-form amino acids are single, unbonded molecules that absorb immediately without requiring digestive breakdown. Combining both delivers rapid yet sustained amino acid levels in your bloodstream.

Why is Vitamin B-6 included in the formula?

Vitamin B-6 serves as the primary biochemical cofactor for transamination and deamination reactions. Your body requires B-6 to convert, transfer, and rebuild absorbed amino acids into functional muscle fibers, cellular enzymes, and neurotransmitters.

How and when should I take NOW Amino Complex?

Take 4 capsules daily, preferably with a glass of fruit juice. The natural sugars in fruit juice trigger a modest insulin release that assists in driving amino acids into muscle tissue. Active exercisers often take 4 capsules 30 minutes prior to workouts or right after training.

How does NOW Foods test for heavy metals and contaminants?

NOW tests every batch in private ISO/IEC 17025 accredited analytical laboratories using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to detect heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury) down to parts-per-billion thresholds, meeting strict USP <2232> and California Proposition 65 limits, alongside comprehensive microbial and potency assays.

Does NOW Amino Complex contain dairy or soy?

Yes. The formula uses Whey Protein Isolate and Sodium Caseinate derived from milk, along with Soy Protein Isolate. Those with diagnosed dairy or soy allergies should not take this product.

Can I return this product if it does not agree with me?

Yes[cite: 1]. VitaNet®, LLC offers an unconditional 100% money-back guarantee on all products, and we even pay the return shipping cost even if the bottle has been opened[cite: 1].

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