believed to fight weight loss by preventing the body’s absorption of fats through the small intestines. As the food is ingested, it does not break into smaller, soluble pieces (like it usually does). Instead, the food is immediately flushed away from the body through bowel movement.In 2007, Alli hit the shelves. The name has changed but it is the same drug. Unlike other weight loss medications, Alli comes with a low-calorie diet program. Upon purchasing the drug, the dieter will be given some weight loss materials that he or she needs to strictly follow to achieve optimal results.
The pill costs $1.50 to $2 a day, but the manufacturer is working with the government to get some of the cost covered by insurance programs.
Alli for weight loss is no ‘magic bullet’
According to experts, the Alli weight loss product is no magic bullet. By following a sensible diet routine such as consuming less calorie, exercising and doing some positive lifestyle changes, one will have a better chance of shedding excess pounds. While it can be helpful, Dr Gary Foster from the Center of Obesity Research and Education, Philadelphia, says it’s not a miracle solution. By exerting the same amount of effort, one can lose 50% more pounds using Alli weight loss pill combined with traditional weight loss programs. Many health experts consider the drug only as an add-on. For it to work, one has to observe proper diet, exercise, and better lifestyle, according to George Blackburn Center from the Study of Nutrition Medicine, Boston.
Alli weight loss pill is among the products approved by the FDA. However, in 2008, the agency began a safety review on the drug due to reports concerning serious liver injury. But because of the limited evidences, Alli retained its status with the FDA. But, the manufacturer was instructed to add warning labels advising people to become alert about the signs and symptoms of liver problems such as loss of appetite, yellow eyes, itching, brown urine, and light-colored stool.
According to reports, Alli weight loss products do have three common side effects:
- Gas with oily spotting
- Uncontrolled bowel movements
- Diarrhea
But experts agree that these effects can be prevented by making sure that the fat consumption is limited to up to 15 grams for each meal.
So how much weight will a person lose weight by taking Alli weight loss pills? According to the manufacturer, the average expected fat loss using Alli is around 5-7 pounds or 2-3 kilograms as compared to losing weight by means of diet and exercise alone. Lower dosage of Alli may result to losing 3-5 pounds a year.
How Alli promotes fat loss
Alli weight loss pills don’t support fat burning by suppressing the appetite, like other drugs do. It works by blocking the fats from being absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract (GI) so they don’t get stored. The lipase – an enzyme produced by the digestive tract that break down fat particles to smaller components so they can be used or absorbed, are blocked by Alli. But the fats will not disappear just like that. They have to go somewhere. They have to be eliminated. That’s why commentators say ‘don’t take Alli on your first date, or wear pants when taking it’.
Individuals taking Alli weight loss pills are encouraged to religiously follow a regular diet comprising of 1/3 calories from fat, 1/3 from protein, and another 1/3 from carbohydrates. Without this, there’s a little chance of success, said Blackburn.
