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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001300096-09-000009.txt : 20091110
<SEC-HEADER>0001300096-09-000009.hdr.sgml : 20091110
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091110185251
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001300096-09-000009
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20091106
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091110
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091110

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DOWDEN ALBERT R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001192228

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-34483
		FILM NUMBER:		091173293

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2533 EVERGREEN LANE
		CITY:			STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80477

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NATURES SUNSHINE PRODUCTS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000275053
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				870327982
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			UT
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		75 E 1700 SOUTH
		CITY:			PROVO
		STATE:			UT
		ZIP:			84606
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8013424300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 2:		75 EAST 1700 SOUTH
		CITY:			PROVO
		STATE:			UT
		ZIP:			84606

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AMTEC INDUSTRIES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19821108
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-11-06</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000275053</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NATURES SUNSHINE PRODUCTS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NATR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001192228</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DOWDEN ALBERT R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2533 EVERGREEN LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>STEAMBOAT SPRINGS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80477</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>5.35</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-11-06</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-11-06</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2019-09-24</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option grant was approved by Nature's Sunshine's board of directors on September 24, 2009, subject to shareholder approval of the stock option plan under which the option was granted.  Nature's Sunshine's shareholders approved the plan on November 6, 2009.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Jamon Jarvis, as attorney-in-fact for Albert R. Dowden</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-11-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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