Well, the advice for empty stomach was because the old Alpha type was not well absorbed. I don't think the studies were done with the Stabilized form called Na lipoate. The stabilized form is highly water soluble and was tested as quickly going into the
blood stream. But they didn't add the food status that I recall.

So if you can tolerate it, take it without food. Some posters here have said they get heartburn from it that way, however.

There is an R form that is not stabilized. So read the labels carefully.