Alli Health Effects

Alli is a weight loss supplement manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. It is the only weight-loss aid approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is widely available through the U.S. Alli has several health results, including its intended function as well as common side effects. You should always consult your physician prior to use.

Fat Absorption Prevention

According to the manufacturer, Alli works by inhibitng the absorption of 25 percent of consumed fat. This is due to the active ingredient Orlistat, which is a lipase inhibitor. Weight loss is most pronounced when used in conjunction with a low-calorie, low-fat diet and increased physical activity. PubMed Health notes that gaining the weight back is most likely once you stop using Alli, which prompts users to take the supplement long-term.

Bowel Changes

The most common side effect of Alli is bowel changes, according to MayoClinic.com. This includes the consistency of the bowel movement as well as the frequency. According to the manufacturer, eating more than 15 g of fat in a meal can cause highly fatty or oily stool accompanied by stomach pain and frequent bowel urges. Fatty or oily gas may also occur, according to Drugs.com.

Liver Injury

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has received reports that orlistat caused serious liver injury in consumers. Although evidence is inconclusive, you should contact a physician immediately if you experience yellowing of the skin, or jaundice, brown urine or extreme fever and fatigue.

References

Article reviewed by Libby Swope Wiersema Last updated on: Oct 27, 2010

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