Is Alli the “Ultimate Diet Pill”?
By now, you have probably seen the commercials, or read, about Alli. Alli is all the rage these days, and is the over-the-counter version of the FDA-approved fat blocker formerly known as Xenical. It’s proven to work, but with some side effects.
The name has changed — and the over-the-counter version is one-half the strength of Xenical — but it’s the same drug. It used a smaller dosage of the ingredient known as Orlistat, and they sell in drugstores across America. The claim is that with serious behavior modification and dedication, you can lose up to 50% more weight with Alli than diet and exercise alone. Alli is also known to lower cholesterol and risk of type-2 diabetes with extended use.
Alli comes, of course, in pill form, with 3 doses per day or one with every meal. Purchasing Alli online comes with a companion book called Are You Losing It? Losing Weight Without Losing Your Mind, along with other weight loss material and online support.
How Alli Works
Alli is not an appetite suppressant. Rather, Alli works by blocking the absorption of fat in the gastrointestinal tract. The blocked fats are excreted, which is what causes the side effects of gas and trouble controlling bowel movements.
The Alli website makes it rather clear as it says: “alli capsules work in your digestive system to prevent about a quarter of the fat you eat from being absorbed, to boost your weight loss and remind you when your fat intake is too high.” Clearly you will be reminded when your body is cleansed, and therefore flushing, unabsorbed fats. A GlaxoSmithKline executive, speaking at a news conference in New York City, Put another way: eat a high-fat meal, have an “accident” — and you will be less likely to do it again.
Prescription-strength Xenical contains 120 milligrams while Alli contains 60 milligrams. But the side effects are not necessarily halved, Foster says. “They are about 20% fewer,” he tells WebMD.
History of Alli
Alli was approved by the FDA panel on January 23, 2006. They approved their advertising, and it was considered to be a safe alternative. Since then, it has been promoted by various celebrities and individuals, again as a product that will help you when and if you are ready.
Side Effects
While more severe side effects have been reported with Xenical, very particular side effects have been reported with Alli. Some report gas with oily discharge, inability to control bowel movements, oily or fatty stools, and oily spotting, and vitamin deficiencies. From all accounts, loading up on cheeseburgers while taking regular doses of Alli could yield very embarrassing results! However, with the exception of vitamin deficiencies, all the side effects keep you honest and are completely avoidable. However, you will have to go on a low fat diet.
If Alli blocks fat so well, it may also block the absorption of important vitamins and minerals, critics allege. Makes sense – anything that flushes partially digested foods from your body is bound to release helpful nutrients as well. So, a multivitamin is advised while taking Alli. For that matter, any low-calorie diet should be accompanied by a multivitamin. The behavioral nuance here is that you don’t want to take the vitamin at the same time as you take Alli. Recommendations given by experts are taking the vitamin at bedtime to avoid any depletion of its contents.
Recommendation
If you take Alli and follow a sensible low-fat diet and exercise, you will lose 50% more weight than you would with diet and exercise alone. Instead of losing 10 pounds, a person who takes Alli will lose 15 pounds. Alli could also be of considerable help to those who have trouble with burning fats.
“It’s an exciting new tool and widely available, but to think this is the only thing or some magic quick fix is wrong,” says Gary Foster, MD, director of the Center of Obesity Research and Education at Temple University in Philadelphia, who helped develop the Alli program. “For the same amount of effort [as with a traditional diet and exercise plans], you get 50% more weight loss. It makes it easier, not effortless,” he tells WebMD.
GlaxoSmithKline even makes the point on its web site devoted to the drug that it “only works if you work” and that it is “not a miracle pill or a quick fix.”
Despite its detractors, and even though it’s not being billed as a magic pill, many consumers are convinced. And testimonials available are very positive. Paying attention to your body, while taking Alli, is important. Also, it will be very important to limit the fat intake in your diet. But with careful application all research shows that Alli will yield considerable results.