If you are trying to diet and lose weight there are an overwhelming array of products and techniques to chose from. Some are safe and some can have serious side effects. The bottom line of successful weight loss lies in developing a lifetime of good habits. This includes healthy eating habits and regular exercise. However sometimes getting started can be tough. At these times, there are some products and programs that can help jump start your weight loss efforts. One of these products is Alli diet pills. Before taking these pills, though, there are some things you should consider.
Identification
Alli works by blocking your body's ability to absorb some of the fat you eat. According to the Alli website "The active ingredient in Alli attaches to some of the natural enzymes in the digestive system, preventing them from breaking down about a quarter of the fat you eat. Undigested fat cannot be absorbed and passes through the body naturally." The fat that does not get absorbed will be excreted and will appear as oil when you go to the bathroom. It is specially formulated to only affect the fat you eat so your body will continue to absorb carbohydrates and proteins. Unlike other diet pill, it does not speed up your metabolism so it does not make you feel jittery or cause your heart to race.
Considerations
As with any diet program you need to discuss taking Alli with your doctor first. Alli is not intended for use by children under 18 years of age and it can interact with other medications you may be taking, especially blood thinners. It is not recommended if you are pregnant or nursing, have undergone an organ transplant, have difficulty absorbing food or if you are allergic to any of the ingredients. The Alli website also warns that it is important to take a multivitamin, as using the pills can block the absorption of some essential vitamins and minerals.
Misconceptions
Alli is not intended for long term use or to be the only technique you use to lose weight. For the pills to be effective, you need to eat a well balanced diet and exercise. Alli will help you to get started on a weight loss plan but you must then work to incorporate healthy life style changes that you will maintain to help keep the weight off. If you rely on the pills alone, you risk gaining back the weight you lost when you stop taking the pills.
Warning
According to the Mayo Clinic, Alli can be effective when it is taken along with meals that contain fat and can be taken up to three times per day. However you should be careful to not consume more than 15 grams of fat each meal. Eating too much fat can lead to side effects such as as urgent bowel movements, inability to control bowel movements, diarrhea, abdominal pain and gas with oily spotting. These side effects can be mild or quite severe. According to the National Institutes of Health, more serious side effects can include hives, rash, difficulty breathing or swallowing and severe or continuous abdominal pain. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that there have been 32 cases of serious liver damage that may be associated with taking Alli. The FDA recommends that health care providers monitor their patients on this pill and report any side effects.
Benefits
The weight loss associated with taking Alli is modest. The Mayo Clinic states that most consumers only lose a few pounds more than they would have with diet and exercise alone. There has been limited research on Alli's effectiveness and most of the research was on the prescription strength version, Orlistat, and not on the over the counter version, Alli. Individuals who took Alli seemed to lose an additional three pounds a year while those on the prescription strength lost about six pounds a year. Individual amounts will vary based on your eating habits and exercise routine.
Member Comments