NOW Foods EpiCor® Plus Immunity — 60 Veg Capsules (Item #N3037)
Your immune system is like a 24-hour security team that protects your entire body, and most of that team lives directly inside your digestive tract. NOW® EpiCor® Plus Immunity is a complete daily defense formula built around 500 mg of clinically studied EpiCor® dried yeast fermentate. It trains your frontline defense cells to stay alert, calm, and ready for seasonal challenges without overworking your system.
Unlike ordinary single-ingredient immune pills, this balanced formula combines whole food fermentate metabolites with gentle Albion™ chelated zinc, vitamin D3, vitamin C, selenium, and standardized olive leaf extract. Together, these nutrients strengthen your body's natural mucosal barriers in the nose, throat, and gut while protecting healthy cells from everyday oxidative stress.
Quick Specs Snapshot:
✓Active Form & Potency: Delivers 500 mg of genuine EpiCor® dried yeast fermentate, 7.5 mg of patented Albion™ Zinc Bisglycinate (Zn2+), 1,000 IU (25 mcg) of Vitamin D3, 60 mg of Vitamin C, 35 mcg of L-Selenomethionine, and 33 mg of Olive Leaf Extract (standardized to 18% Oleuropein) in a single capsule.
✓Supply & Value Math: 60 vegetarian capsules provide a full 60-day supply (two full months of daily defense) in one bottle, costing significantly less per day than purchasing five separate supplements.
✓Formulation Purity: 100% vegetarian, non-GMO, free of wheat, soy, dairy, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, and sesame, packaged in an eco-friendly 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) resin bottle.
Smart Buyer Guide: Why Nutrient Form Makes All the Difference
Not all immune supplements work the same way inside your digestive tract. Cheap formulas often use raw, living yeast or harsh mineral salts like zinc oxide that pass right through you or cause severe nausea. EpiCor® is completely different: it is an inactive, nutrient-dense whole food fermentate that contains no live yeast cells, so it cannot grow or cause yeast overgrowth in your body.
In addition, NOW uses Albion™ Zinc Bisglycinate. In this advanced form, the zinc mineral is wrapped in two molecules of glycine (a gentle amino acid) [1]. Your stomach recognizes it as an organic protein rather than raw metal, allowing smooth absorption through your intestinal wall without the sour stomach, cramps, or heartburn common with bargain-brand zinc tablets [1].
Ideal For Shoppers Who:
✓Want broad-spectrum immune support in a single, easy-to-swallow daily pill instead of juggling multiple bottles.
✓Experience seasonal immune challenges, work in crowded environments, or travel regularly and need dependable year-round barrier protection.
✓Have a sensitive stomach and need gentle, chelated Albion™ minerals paired with digestive-friendly prebiotics.
Consider Another Option If:
✘You have a medically diagnosed, severe allergy to baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) proteins.
✘You cannot swallow capsules and require a flavored liquid dropper or chewable gummy format.
✘You already take high doses of standalone zinc and vitamin D and need an unfortified, standalone prebiotic.
Every order at VitaNet®, LLC is backed by our unconditional 100% money-back guarantee—we even cover return shipping costs, even on opened bottles—so you can try this formula with complete confidence.
How It Works: Cellular Defense Explained in Plain English
Think of your body's immune system as having two primary lines of protection: an outer perimeter fence (your mucous membranes in your nose, mouth, and gut) and an internal patrol team (white blood cells circulating through your bloodstream). NOW® EpiCor® Plus Immunity works by strengthening both layers simultaneously through proven biochemical pathways:
1. EpiCor® Dried Yeast Fermentate: The Frontline Shield
EpiCor® is crafted through a multi-stage fermentation process using baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). When the yeast reaches peak nutrient density, it is gently dried into a specialized powder containing proteins, polyphenols, beta-glucans, and prebiotic fibers.
Clinical trials show that EpiCor® acts like a training coach for your gut. It increases levels of Secretory Immunoglobulin A (sIgA), the primary protective antibody found in your saliva and intestinal fluid [2]. sIgA acts like microscopic tape, binding to airborne and foodborne irritants so they cannot stick to your cells [2]. At the same time, it rapidly activates Natural Killer (NK) cells within hours of ingestion, sending them on routine patrol without triggering uncomfortable inflammation [3].
2. Albion™ Zinc Bisglycinate: The White Blood Cell Spark Plug
Zinc (Zn2+) is an essential trace mineral required for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the human body. It acts like an ignition switch for developing white blood cells (T-cells and B-cells). Without adequate zinc, immune cells replicate slowly. By chelating the zinc to glycine amino acids, Albion™ delivers intact mineral packets directly into the bloodstream to keep white blood cell production running smoothly [1].
Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol): Vitamin D functions like a cellular volume knob. It binds to Vitamin D Receptors (VDR) on macrophages, signaling them to produce protective antimicrobial peptides like cathelicidins that defend tissue boundaries [4].
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): When white blood cells defend your body, they release reactive oxygen molecules to break down unwanted materials. Vitamin C acts like a cellular shield, neutralizing excess free radicals to protect your healthy lung and gut tissues from oxidative wear and tear [5].
4. Olive Leaf Extract & L-Selenomethionine: Deep Cellular Support
Standardized to 18% Oleuropein, Mediterranean olive leaf extract provides concentrated polyphenol compounds that support healthy microflora and protect cell membranes [6]. Organic selenium (L-selenomethionine) is incorporated into glutathione peroxidase enzymes, forming your body's primary internal antioxidant system to safeguard cellular DNA [7].
Daily Usage Guide, Timing & What to Expect
Getting the greatest benefit from your supplements requires taking them at the right time and in the right way. Follow these practical recommendations developed from over 31 years of nutritional experience:
Optimal Timing & Meal Pairing
Take 1 capsule daily with a meal that contains healthy fats (such as avocado, eggs, nuts, or yogurt). Vitamin D3 is fat-soluble, meaning it requires dietary lipids to trigger bile release for maximum absorption across the intestinal wall. Taking zinc alongside food also prevents any mild digestive flutter.
Morning Routine Advantage
Taking your capsule with breakfast or lunch is best. This prepares your frontline immune cells for daytime interactions and public exposure. Because B-vitamins naturally occurring in yeast fermentates support cellular energy, taking it earlier in the day is ideal.
Smart Synergies & Spacing Rules
Great Pairings: Pairs wonderfully with daily multi-strain probiotics, elderberry syrup, and omega-3 fish oils. Spacing Rules: If you take prescription thyroid medication, iron supplements, or high-dose calcium tablets, separate them from this capsule by at least 2 hours, as calcium and iron can compete with zinc and selenium for absorption pathways.
Timeline of Expectations:
✓Days 1 to 7: Rapid mucosal activation begins. Clinical research indicates that salivary sIgA antibody activity and Natural Killer cell priming start within hours to days of daily intake [2, 3].
✓Weeks 3 to 4: Steady tissue accumulation of Vitamin D3, zinc, and selenium creates a resilient nutritional reserve across upper respiratory and digestive barriers.
✓Months 2 to 3+: Long-term immune balance and healthy microbial stability in the gut, keeping your body well-defended during demanding seasonal shifts.
Knowing what your supplement looks, smells, and feels like helps you evaluate its freshness. Here are the firsthand sensory details of NOW® EpiCor® Plus Immunity:
Capsule Size & Swallowability
Encapsulated in a standard "Size 0" clear vegetarian capsule (roughly 21 mm long). The smooth vegetable hypromellose shell glides down easily with a standard sip of water.
Natural Aroma & Color
Inside is a fine, tan-to-brown speckled powder. Because EpiCor® is naturally fermented and olive leaf is an authentic herbal extract, it carries a mild, earthy, savory scent like toasted sourdough or malt. Natural color variation from batch to batch is normal and reflects genuine agricultural ingredients.
Other Ingredients Demystified (Plain English Translation):
Hypromellose (Cellulose Capsule): A 100% plant-based capsule shell derived from natural pine tree cellulose. Completely vegetarian, gelatin-free, and dissolves quickly in stomach acid.
Microcrystalline Cellulose: Purified plant fiber used to ensure the botanical powders flow smoothly, guaranteeing every capsule contains the exact same active milligram amount.
Ascorbyl Palmitate: A gentle, fat-soluble form of Vitamin C that serves as a natural antioxidant preservative, protecting delicate olive leaf compounds from oxidation.
Modified Starch & Citric Acid: Natural food-grade plant starch and citrus-derived acid used as safe micro-carriers to keep fat-soluble Vitamin D3 stable and evenly distributed.
Maltodextrin: A microscopic amount of non-GMO plant carbohydrate used during the clean drying of the olive leaf extract.
Storage Advice: Keep the bottle tightly closed in a cool, dry pantry (60°F to 75°F). Avoid keeping supplements inside humid bathrooms or next to warm kitchen ovens. Keep out of reach of children.
Official Supplement Facts & Manufacturing Purity Standards
VitaNet®, LLC verifies every label specification directly against genuine manufacturer production lots. Below is the complete nutritional facts panel for NOW® EpiCor® Plus Immunity (Product SKU N3037):
Many shoppers do not realize that discount supplements sold at big box retail stores and anonymous online marketplaces often skip essential raw material safety screening. Independent investigations frequently find big box store brands failing to meet label claims or containing concerning levels of heavy metals and filler.
NOW Foods operates one of the most advanced private quality-control laboratory complexes in the nutritional industry, performing over 31,000 analytical tests every single month:
✓ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accredited Laboratories: Testing protocols and instrument calibrations meet the same rigorous standards required of federal forensic labs.
✓Heavy Metal Screening via ICP-MS: Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, NOW detects trace heavy metals down to single-digit parts-per-billion (ppb). Every batch meets strict safety limits for Lead (Pb), Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), and Mercury (Hg), consistently surpassing United States Pharmacopeia (USP) guidelines and complying with California Proposition 65.
✓Microbiological Pathogen Clearance: Automated PCR tests confirm the complete absence of dangerous bacteria, including Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, alongside strict mold and yeast constraints.
✓Trademark Verification: Albion™ is a trademark of Balchem Corporation or its subsidiaries. EpiCor® is a registered trademark of Cargill, Incorporated. Family owned since 1968.
Why Choose VitaNet®, LLC?
Founded in 1995, VitaNet®, LLC has served natural health customers for over 31 years from our physical storefront and fulfillment warehouse in Hartville, Ohio. We are a family-owned independent business with a BBB A+ accreditation.
✓100% Direct Authorized Sourcing: All inventory ships directly from climate-controlled Ohio warehouses, never left in unheated or sweltering marketplace lockers.
✓Unconditional 100% Money-Back Guarantee: If you are not completely satisfied, we refund 100% of your money and pay return shipping, even on opened bottles.
✓Dedicated Customer Support: Speak with our knowledgeable team toll-free at 1-800-877-8702 or (330) 877-8786.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Caution: For adults only. Consult physician if pregnant/nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open the capsule and mix the powder into water, a shake, or food?
Yes. If you dislike swallowing capsules, you can gently twist the two halves of the vegetable capsule apart and stir the tan powder directly into a morning smoothie, fruit juice, or unsweetened applesauce. Because EpiCor® is a dried yeast fermentate, it has a pleasant, mild roasted malt flavor that blends easily. Avoid stirring it into boiling hot soup or hot tea, as excessive heat can reduce the potency of Vitamin C and botanical bioactives.
How is EpiCor® different from active brewer's yeast or Candida?
EpiCor® is not active, living yeast. It is a specialized, whole food fermentate created by fermenting baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and then drying it under precise conditions. The final ingredient contains no living yeast organisms. It cannot multiply in your digestive tract, will not cause intestinal bloating, and cannot cause or worsen Candida albicans fungal issues. It functions purely as a source of beneficial metabolites and immune-nourishing prebiotics.
Why is Albion™ Zinc Bisglycinate superior to standard zinc oxide?
Standard zinc oxide is an inorganic, chalky compound that is difficult for your body to break down and absorb, often leading to stomach cramps or nausea. Albion™ Zinc Bisglycinate bonds elemental zinc to two molecules of the organic amino acid glycine. This allows the mineral to pass through the stomach intact and absorb through peptide pathways in the intestine, offering significantly higher bioavailability without causing digestive discomfort [1].
Will taking this capsule break an intermittent fast?
A single capsule contains less than 1 calorie, zero grams of sugar, and zero fat, so it will not cause an insulin spike or break a metabolic fasting window. However, because Vitamin D3 requires dietary fats for optimal absorption, we strongly advise taking your daily capsule with your first substantial meal of the day when you open your eating window.
Can I take NOW® EpiCor® Plus Immunity every day all year long?
Yes. Unlike stimulating botanical herbs such as echinacea (which are best used for short intervals of 7 to 10 days), EpiCor® acts as an immunomodulator. It helps balance and train your immune cells rather than forcing them into continuous overactivity. With safe, balanced daily doses of Vitamin D (1,000 IU) and chelated Zinc (7.5 mg), it is designed for consistent, year-round daily defense.
