Pros & Cons Of My Alli Diet Supplement

Myalliplan is a personalized program designed for long term weight loss that is centered on Alli, a diet supplement made by pharmaceutical corporation GlaxoSmithKline. The program is a complete approach to weight loss and includes lifestyle changes, physical activity, meal planning, recipes and portions, and nutrition, especially managing fats, calories and fiber. Alli has some pros and cons that people should know about before choosing to go on the Myalliplan diet program.

Pros: FDA-Approved Weight Loss Product

In 2007, the Food and Drug Administration approved Alli as a non-prescription weight-loss product to be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet in overweight adults 18 years and older, making it the first approved over-the-counter product in that category. The active ingredient in Alli is orlistat, the same ingredient that is in Xenical, a prescription drug for obesity that the FDA approved in 1999. Alli contains 60 mg of orlistat that prevents the absorption of 25 percent of fat from foods, so there are fewer calories that enter the body. This level of calorie reduction can lead to 5 to 10 percent weight loss over time. Clinical studies demonstrate Alli can help people lose 50 percent more weight than diet alone.

Pros: Safety

Alli is considered safe when used as directed. According to GlaxoSmithKline, more than 10 million people worldwide have used Alli since it has been available in 2007. Furthermore, more than 40 million people have used orlistat since 1998, when approved as a prescription product. Orlistat has been studied for safety in over 100 clinical trials that involved over 30,000 patients, according to the product label for Xenical.

Pros: Convenience

Myalliplan is convenient to implement for weight loss in women and men. Alli is available over the counter or online without prescription. Alli is supplied as a capsule that can be taken with water one hour before or after meals.

Cons: Side Effects

Alli has uncomfortable and embarrassing side effects. The unabsorbed fat in Alli goes through the intestinal tract and can cause oily leakage, smelly gas, and a sudden urge to defecate. This could occur at the most inconvenient time when there is not a toilet nearby. Oily foods could exacerbate these side effects. Alli could also cause liver injury in some people, according to MayoClinic.com.

Cons: Vitamin Deficiencies

Alli prevents fat-soluble vitamins from getting absorbed into the body. People taking Alli could become deficient in vitamins A, D and E. Research by J. R. McDuffie published in "Pharmacotherapy" in 2002 discovered that orlistat treatment significantly reduces vitamin E absorption and blood levels of vitamin K, and significantly reduces blood levels of vitamin D levels, even with multivitamin supplementation. Anyone taking Alli should talk with their health advisor about including a multivitamin supplement as part of the daily diet.

Cons: Small Weight Loss

Although Alli is effective in helping people lose weight when used in conjunction with a low-calorie, low-fat diet, the weight loss is small. Also, a person needs to stay on the Myalliplan program to continue to lose and maintain weight loss.