Exactly what is an "empty stomach"?

[William]

Products like Cytodyne's Z-Mass PM are best taken on an "empty stomach" 30-60 minutes prior to bed. I have been hitting my system with a high-protein, low-carb protein booster shake around that time. If I begin using Z-Mass PM, it seems like I will need to discontinue that practice...however, I still wonder...what exactly is an "empty stomach"?

If I turn in at 11pm, when should I have cut off any food/MRP intake? 9pm? 8:00pm?

Any ideas?

[Manteca]

The reason why it is important not to take food w/ zma products is because the food likely contains calcium which effectively blocks the uptake of the zinc which is the most crucial ingrediant. If the protein/food/mrp contains no calcium or at least very little then it would be fine to take w/ zma. As for how long to wait after eating I'd say aproximately 1.5-2 hours. I would however reccomend(think I f'd that word up) taking your z-mass then 45 minutes or so later taking protein to carry you through the night. I personally like to take egg protein at the same time as my zma because it only contains 2% DV calcium and digest slowly(well at least slower the whey)

[Big Cat]

I usually take 60-90 minutes since my last meal, then take my ZMA, then 30 minutes later I take my bedtime shake. That way I never go longer than 2 hours without a meal and I still have what constitutes and empty stomach.

[Ice Man]

Pretty much thats the concensus. Take the ZMA like 1.5 hours after your last meal then right before you go to bed ( about 30 minutes later) take your protein. The ZMA should be absorbed by then.