<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-16-088116.txt : 20160105
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-16-088116.hdr.sgml : 20160105
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20160105171028
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-16-088116
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20160101
FILED AS OF DATE:		20160105
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20160105

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:		2500 WEST EXECUTIVE PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 100
		CITY:			LEHI
		STATE:			UT
		ZIP:			84043
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(801) 341-7900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2500 WEST EXECUTIVE PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 100
		CITY:			LEHI
		STATE:			UT
		ZIP:			84043

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AMTEC INDUSTRIES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19821108

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PROBERT GREGORY
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001311182

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-34483
		FILM NUMBER:		161323457

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O NATURES SUNSHINE PRODUCTS
		STREET 2:		2500 W. EXECUTIVE PARKWAY, #100
		CITY:			LEHI
		STATE:			UT
		ZIP:			84043
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2016-01-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001311182</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PROBERT GREGORY</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O NATURES SUNSHINE PRODUCTS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2500 W. EXECUTIVE PARKWAY, #100</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LEHI</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>UT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>84043</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>CEO &amp; Chairman of the Board</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2016-01-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>30000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>187106</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares issued pursuant to a long-term incentive grant in the form of restricted stock units; each restricted stock unit represents the right to receive one share of NATR common stock. These shares will vest in three equal annual installments beginning on January 1, 2017.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Stephen M. Bunker as attorney-in-fact for Gregory Probert</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2016-01-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
