If you take enzymes with food they will break down the food. If you take them on an empty stomach they will break down the biofilm in the intestines--at least this is why all the websites say to take enzymes on an empty stomach. Serrapeptase is, however, a proteolytic enzyme (which means it breaks down protein), so perhaps if you take it with a non-protein food (like a mouthful of salad or green vegetables) it would still be able to do its job. I am not sure about this...just a theory.