The Alli diet program is a new approach in the struggle to lose weight. Keeping your body from turning food into fat means quicker and more painless weight loss.
Sold as an over the counter drug by GlaxoSmithKline, Alli is an FDA approved product that tries to fulfill that goal. The Alli diet program involves a program of a reduced fat diet coupled with taking a supplement called orlistat.
In other parts of world orlistat is sold in prescription strength by Roche. Alli has been approved in the United States as an over the counter drug that can be bought without a prescription in drug stores and pharmacies.
To keep your body from absorbing some of the nutrients and calories from the food you eat, Alli works to keep your pancreas from producing an enzyme called pancreatic lipase. This enzyme works to help your body absorb nutrients. If there’s less of the enzyme produced, you’re going to take in less calories from the same amount of food.
The Alli program is not just about taking the orlistat supplement. Participants are encouraged to engage in moderate, regular exercise and maintain a healthy, low fat diet. Though a study done by GlaxoSmithKline shows a significant increase in weight loss by people on the Alli program, how much is due to taking orlistat and how much is due to lifestyle change is unclear.
Orlistat works in the digestive system to restrict the absorption of nutrients and can therefore avoid some of the unpleasant side effects like dizziness and a racing heart common with other popular diet pills. There are, unfortunately, some other side effects that may cause you to think twice. Industry scientists have coined a term called BSP, or brown stain problem. Yes, that’s what it means. If loose stools and excessive gas are a problem for you it may be a good idea to reconsider Alli.
In addition to the potential for social embarrassment, another drawback to taking orlistat is the possible incidence of liver damage. There have been over 30 cases of liver damage reported by people using orlistat since 1999, including jaundice and abdominal pain. Although the potential for liver damage is relatively rare and, in almost all cases was related to use of prescription strength Xenical, the FDA recently started requiring the makers of Alli and Xenical to include information about the possibility of severe liver damage with use.
Many people have found success with the Alli program. Alli works best with a program of regular exercise and a healthy, low fat diet of vegetables, fruit and protein. A strong case can also be made for skipping the orlistat and just concentrating on changing your lifestyle to eating less and exercising more. This is the one way that has been shown time and again to help you lose weight and, more importantly, keeping it off.
Looking for more information on the best weight loss plan for you? Visit www.HealthyLiving411.com to find advice and dieting reviews.