Alli Weight Loss Pill: Does it Work?
What is Alli?Alli is a FDA approved over-the-counter (OTC) weight loss product - it is not a dietary supplement. Alli claims to help you lose weight gradually while it works in your body to bind and/or block fat. Is Alli the solution to your weight-loss woes? Normally, a tightly controlled diet with regular exercise is followed with measures that are prescribed for weight loss. If you find it difficult to follow these measures over an extended period, take heart; most of us do. |
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The claims by Alli (pronounced AL-eye) proponents say that you can avoid these restrictions while you continue to follow your normal routines. In other words, you'll slowly and steadily manage to lose weight while leading a healthier but non-restrictive lifestyle. What About Calories?Increases in weight could, generally speaking, simply be stated as the fault of an excessive intake of calories. However, it's important to understand that fat in the diet contributes far more calories when compared to other proteins and carbohydrate foods. Therefore, the fat in your diet is the main culprit that causes weight gain. |
Alli promotes weight loss by decreasing absorption of fat by the intestines, which reduces the number of calories you absorb. Lipase, an enzyme found in the digestive tract, helps break down dietary fat into smaller components, so it can be used or stored for energy. Alli disables lipase, preventing the enzyme from breaking down the fat while it's in your digestive tract. The undigested fat continues through the intestines and is eliminated through bowel movements. Alli is taken with fat-containing meals, up to three times a day. Because of how Alli works, it's recommended that you eat no more than 15 grams of fat with each meal. Eating higher amounts of fat can cause unwanted effects, such as urgent bowel movements, diarrhea and gas with oily spotting.
Alli only works on enzymes that would normally help in digestion of fat. This means that the carbohydrates and proteins you ingest are not affected. As such, these nutrients are absorbed by the body in the normal fashion. So Alli works only in your digestive system; it does not act on your heart or brain. These actions avoid the unsettling effects of sleeplessness, racing heart or jitters - common effects with other weight loss drugs or supplements.
Alli's Restrictions
When you use Alli to lose weight, you may have to observe certain drastic dietary restrictions, depending on your existing diet. Manufacturers of Alli advise you to consume reduced-calorie meals of 15gms or less of fats on an average. For some this may be a rather severe restriction, but that is the price to pay for being able to have the option of slow but steady weight loss leading to a better life.
Alli starter kits advise that you should limit your meals to a reduced-calorie diet of 15 gms of fat each. If you are not able to restrict yourself to the 15-calorie limit per meal, manufacturer's literature points out (not "warns") that you may experience side effects which the makers of Alli prefer calling "treatment effects" as opposed to side effects. If you unthinkingly stray to the wrong side of that 15gm "barrier", you may very well suffer unpleasant consequences such as uncontrollable bowel movements, loose stools, very frequent visits to bathroom, excessive gas (flatulence) with oily discharge, etc. .
Example: The highly popular McDonald's Big Mac contains 34 grams of fat. The Burger King Whopper contains 40 grams of fat. Both sandwiches leave the limit of 15 gms specified by Alli miles behind so far as fat content is considered. What this means is in order to avoid those "treatment effects", you may have to drastically alter your diet and reconsider the way you have your meals - and what those meals consist of.
Alli's Side Effects
You may suffer certain side effects such as loose motion, frequent bowel movements, gas, etc. if you do not observe the restriction of 15 gms of fat. Obviously if you are able to adjust to the dietary limitations and put up with the side effects – "treatment effects" as the makers of Alli call them – Alli should be able to work for you.
When Shouldn't I take Alli?
You shouldn't take Alli if you:
- Are at a healthy weight
- Are taking cyclosporine
- Have had an organ transplant
- Have problems absorbing food
- The drug also may pose risks for anyone who takes blood-thinning medication or has diabetes or thyroid disease.
How long would I need to take Alli?
According to the manufacturer, most weight loss occurs within the first six months. Many people who take medications to lose weight regain the weight they lost when they stop taking the medication. Therefore, to keep the weight off, many people continue taking medications indefinitely along with eating a low-calorie diet and exercising regularly. In other words, these modifications to you life would have to become permanent whether you continue to take Alli or not.
Alli isn't an easy answer to weight loss and is meant only to supplement -- not replace -- a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Alli has been clinically tested and approved so obviously its claims of helping you to lose weight are not in dispute here. What we wish to point out is that it is for the individual to decide how far he or she can reap the benefits of Alli without suffering from its side effects.
Might we suggest an alternative? Consider Roaring Tiger for rapid, Dr. Approved weight loss.
Whatever product you decide to try, do be sure to give the potential problems serious thought. Do you want your life unexpectedly tainted with urgent needs to go to the bathroom, or embarassing flatulence? Or do you prefer a product you can take that will do the job it says it will do while totally non-restrictive to your daily life?
