- *MSRP:
$39.99- Our Price:
- $24.40
- Buy: at $24.40
- UPC: 733739030887
- # N3088
Product Overview & Quick Specs
Think of your cells like high-security vaults that require both the right key and protective guards to stay safe. Elemental zinc is the master guard, but it cannot easily unlock and enter the vault on its own. NOW Foods NAC, Quercetin, and Zinc combines three clinically studied micronutrients into one daily formula, using bioflavonoid keys to deliver zinc directly inside cells while replenishing your master antioxidant shield [1, 2].
Quick Specs Snapshot
- ✓ Active Form & Potency: Delivers 1,000 mg N-Acetyl Cysteine, 500 mg Quercetin, and 15 mg elemental Zinc (from 75 mg patented Albion™ Zinc Bisglycinate chelate) per 2-capsule serving [3].
- ✓ Primary Target: Cellular antioxidant defense, intracellular zinc transport, respiratory mucosal comfort, and seasonal immune cell signaling [1, 2, 4].
- ✓ Supply & Value: 90 vegetarian capsules (45 full servings) per bottle, replacing three standalone bottles with an efficient, all-in-one daily regimen.
- ✓ Purity & Dietary Status: Non-GMO, vegan and vegetarian friendly, free from gluten, soy, dairy, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, and sesame.
Buyer's Guide & Form Comparison
Why Form Matters: Patented Chelation vs. Inorganic Zinc Salts
Most standard zinc pills use inorganic salts like zinc oxide or zinc sulfate. Think of these salts like brittle chalk: they dissolve instantly in stomach acid, releasing raw zinc ions that irritate your gastric lining and cause immediate nausea. Albion™ Zinc Bisglycinate bonds one zinc atom between two soothing glycine molecules, creating an armored molecular escort. This intact ring structure bypasses acid breakdown, protects your stomach, and delivers up to 43.4% greater blood absorption than conventional zinc gluconate [3].
The All-in-One Synergy vs. Standalone Pills or Elderberry Syrup
Taking zinc, quercetin, and NAC from separate bottles means juggling multiple capsules, differing absorption curves, and high monthly costs. This formula synchronizes them: quercetin acts as an active carrier (zinc ionophore) to escort zinc directly across cellular lipid bilayers [1]. Standalone zinc taken alone often circulates outside cells without reaching intracellular enzymes.
Compared to popular elderberry syrups, which often rely on high-fructose corn syrup, honey, or artificial thickeners, this formula delivers zero added sugars. Elderberry offers surface-level flavonoids, but it cannot supply the rate-limiting amino acid precursor needed to manufacture your body's master detoxifier, glutathione [2, 4].
The Big-Box Contamination Hazard: Commodity discount brands found on mass supermarket shelves frequently source cut-rate raw materials without analytical verification. Independent audits reveal that cheap bulk supplements often contain heavy metal residues, inaccurate dosages, or synthetic unlisted binders. NOW Foods conducts extensive in-house laboratory testing to guarantee verified potency and purity.
Is This Formula Right for You?
Best Choice For:
- ✓ Adults seeking synergistic, multi-pathway immune vigilance and bronchial comfort during seasonal challenges [1, 2].
- ✓ Shoppers who experience stomach nausea from ordinary zinc and require gentle, chelated bisglycinate [3].
- ✓ Anyone wanting to combine intracellular zinc transport with endogenous glutathione synthesis in one convenient dose [1, 4].
Consider Another Option If:
- ✗ You take prescription nitroglycerin or blood thinners, as NAC and quercetin can interact directly with cardiovascular drugs.
- ✗ You prefer single-ingredient powders to customize precise milligram dosages independently.
- ✗ You are sensitive to natural sulfur compounds or have difficulty swallowing standard two-capsule servings.
How It Works in the Body
This triple-action formula supports cellular defense through three distinct, scientifically established pathways.
1. The Molecular Doorway: Zinc Ionophore Delivery
Think of your cell membrane like a waterproof security gate. Mineral ions carry an electrical charge and cannot slip through fatty barriers without an escort vehicle. Quercetin acts like a specialized ferryboat (zinc ionophore) [1]. It wraps around elemental zinc, shielding its electrical charge and carrying it directly across the membrane into the cytoplasm where immune enzymes operate [1, 2].
2. Refilling Master Cellular Defenses: The Glutathione Engine
Think of active immune cells like hard-working factories producing sparks and exhaust (reactive oxygen species). To prevent cellular burnout, your tissues rely on an internal fire blanket called glutathione [2, 4]. Plain dietary cysteine breaks down in stomach acid before reaching your cells. N-Acetyl Cysteine (chemical formula: C5H9NO3S) carries an acetyl shield, safely delivering the critical sulfur building blocks your liver and cells require to synthesize fresh glutathione on demand [4].
3. Molecular Scissors: Airway Mucus Fluidity
Think of thick respiratory secretions like intertwined strands of barbed wire held tight by chemical crosslinks (disulfide bonds). NAC acts like tiny molecular scissors. Its free sulfhydryl group donates electrons to snip these bonds, breaking rigid mucus into lighter, fluid segments that support clear bronchial passages and effortless breathing [4].
Daily Timing, Synergy & Realistic Timelines
Best Time to Take & Meal Pairing
Take 2 capsules daily with a substantial meal and a full 8-ounce glass of pure water (chemical formula: H2O). Quercetin is a plant polyphenol that dissolves best in dietary lipids. Consuming your capsules alongside healthy fats (such as avocado, olive oil, or eggs) stimulates bile acid flow, dramatically improving quercetin absorption [1]. Taking it with food also ensures complete gastric comfort.
Daily Schedule: Morning Dosing vs. Splitting
Morning or early afternoon is the ideal window. Daytime dosing primes cellular antioxidant defenses before exposure to daily physical and environmental stressors [2, 4]. Because NAC loosens respiratory secretions, taking it earlier in the day encourages natural bronchial clearance while you are upright and active. You can take both capsules together with breakfast or split them: 1 capsule with breakfast and 1 capsule with lunch.
Smart Pairings & 2-Hour Spacing Rules
- ✓ Antioxidant Catalysts: Pair with Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3. Vitamin C helps recycle quercetin and regenerate glutathione, creating a resilient antioxidant cycle [2, 4].
- ✓ Optimal Hydration: Drink ample water throughout the day to support NAC's natural mucolytic action in bronchial tissues [4].
- ✗ 2-Hour Separation Window: Separate your serving by at least 2 hours from prescription antibiotics (such as tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones) and high-dose iron supplements, as minerals and bioflavonoids can bind pharmaceuticals in the gut.
What to Expect Over Time
Days 1–7: Rapid digestive uptake begins. Bioavailable zinc and quercetin elevate circulating plasma levels, while NAC begins thinning thick bronchial secretions for easy airway clearance [3, 4].
Weeks 3–4: Intracellular zinc levels rise and cellular glutathione pools reach steady-state saturation, reinforcing baseline white blood cell signaling [1, 2].
Months 2–3+: Cumulative systemic resilience. Supports sustained respiratory vitality, liver metabolic clearance, and balanced mucosal immune defenses across changing seasons [2, 4].
Physical Feel, Sensory Traits & Clean Ingredients
Pill Format & Ease of Use
Supplied in standard Size "00" vegetarian capsules. The outer hypromellose shell becomes slick when wet, gliding easily down the throat with water. If you prefer not to swallow capsules, you can gently twist them open and stir the powder into chilled applesauce or tart citrus juice. Avoid warm liquids, as high heat can degrade delicate bioflavonoids.
Natural Aroma, Taste & Color
The powder displays a rich golden-yellow to subtle greenish hue, which is the natural signature color of raw quercetin bioflavonoids. Opening the bottle reveals a distinct herbal aroma with faint sulfur notes, confirming active, unadulterated NAC. Because NOW avoids synthetic dyes and artificial whitening agents, natural color variations may occur between harvest lots.
Other Ingredients Explained
Every inactive excipient serves a clean, functional manufacturing role:
- Hypromellose (Cellulose Capsule): A 100% plant-based vegetarian capsule shell made from wood pulp cellulose that dissolves quickly in gastric fluid.
- Ascorbyl Palmitate: A fat-soluble form of Vitamin C that acts as a natural antioxidant, protecting sensitive botanicals from premature oxidation during storage.
- Silicon Dioxide: A naturally occurring mineral silica that prevents natural botanical powders from clumping, ensuring precise dosage uniformity in every capsule.
- Citric Acid: A natural organic fruit compound that helps stabilize amino acid crystals against ambient moisture.
Proper Storage Guidance
Store in a cool, dry place after opening. Keep the lid tightly sealed between uses. Avoid high-humidity areas like bathroom cabinets or windowsills to protect the vegetable capsules and active crystals from moisture.
Manufacturer Quality & Lab Testing Standards
Many discount brands rely entirely on third-party contract manufacturers without verifying incoming bulk ingredients. NOW Foods operates one of the most advanced analytical testing complexes in the dietary supplement industry, holding formal ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
- ✓ ICP-MS Heavy Metal Testing: Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry tests every batch for lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury down to parts-per-billion (ppb) detection limits, strictly meeting USP and California Proposition 65 safety parameters.
- ✓ HPLC Potency Verification: High-Performance Liquid Chromatography confirms that every serving delivers full label claims for active NAC, bioflavonoid quercetin, and Albion™ chelated zinc.
- ✓ Microbiological Safety: Advanced bioburden screening confirms the complete absence of Salmonella, E. coli, yeast, and mold in every lot.
- ✓ Sustainable Packaging: Bottled in the USA using 100% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) resin bottles to reduce environmental impact.
Complete Supplement Facts Panel
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 2 Veg Capsules
Servings Per Container: 45
| Description | Amount per Serving | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
|
Zinc (elemental) (from 75 mg Zinc Bisglycinate) (Albion™) |
15 mg | 136% |
| N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) | 1,000 mg | † |
| Quercetin | 500 mg | † |
† Daily Value not established.
Other Ingredients: Hypromellose (cellulose capsule), Ascorbyl Palmitate, Silicon Dioxide and Citric Acid.
Allergen Information: Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.
Caution: For adults only. Quercetin may interact with a variety of medications; consult physician before using this product if taking prescription drugs (especially nitroglycerin). Consult physician if pregnant/nursing or have a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.
Natural color variation may occur in this product. Made and quality tested in the USA with globally sourced ingredients. Store in a cool, dry place after opening. Albion™ is a trademark of Balchem Corporation or its subsidiaries. Family owned since 1968. This bottle is made from 100% PCR (post-consumer recycled) resin.