This is a miracle cure for my painful heels; as soon as I start taking it, the pain almost completely goes away (though I have no idea how the two are connected). However, on the IHerb website, which is where I initially got this collagen, it specifies that I should take it only on an empty stomach, blue at least half an hour before meals, and preferably an hour before meals. This is how I take it. The description recommends consuming it together with food.