Alli, a brand name for the drug orlistat, may help you lose weight by blocking the absorption of fat by your body. Alli can't block all dietary fat, but suppresses the absorption of fat in your intestines, reducing your total caloric intake. It's important that you follow a low-fat diet when taking Alli or you may suffer gastrointestinal distress, as too much unabsorbed fat is eliminated as waste. Side-effects of eating too much dietary fat include flatulence with greasy spotting, urgent bowel movements and explosive diarrhea, says the Mayo Clinic. The Alli weight loss program includes a low-fat, restricted calorie diet, an exercise program and taking Alli three times daily.
Step 1
Talk to your doctor before taking Alli. People with gallbladder problems, malabsorption issues such as Crohn's or celiac disease, a history of liver problems and pancreatitis may need a smaller dose of Alli. Alli contains 60 mg of orlistat, while the prescription version, Xenical, contains 120 mg of orlistat. In 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration began receiving reports that people taking orlistat were suffering from serious liver disease. In May of 2010, the FDA revised the warning label of all drugs containing orlistat to include information about the possibility of severe liver damage.
Step 2
Limit your fat intake to no more than 15 g of fat per meal. Alli is taken up to three times a day, prior to each meal, to block the absorption of fat. Alli works by stopping your body from producing the enzyme that breaks down fats, so they pass through your colon unabsorbed.
Step 3
Follow the Alli program diet carefully. Apart from including medication, a specific low-fat, low-calorie eating plan and an exercise program, the Alli program also offers membership in an online support group that includes a visual progress tracker, access to a registered dietitian and meal and activity planners. Alli has partnered with eDiets and can deliver Alli-approved meals to your door on a weekly basis.
Step 4
Exercise regularly. The Alli weight-loss program relies on a restricted-calorie low-fat eating program combined with regular exercise. Although the Alli website says that using Alli can help you lose one extra pound for every two pounds you lose through exercise and healthy eating, the Mayo Clinic says the average person using Alli should only expect to lose 3 to 5 lbs. more in a year than he could expect to lose from diet and exercise alone.
Tips and Warnings
- Alli blocks the absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins, specifically vitamins A, D, K, E and beta-carotene. It is essential that you take a high-quality multivitamin when using Alli, to replace the vitamins your body isn't absorbing from your diet. Take the vitamin at least two hours before or after taking Alli.
- Alli may cause serious side effects, such as hives, difficulty breathing, severe chronic stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and exhaustion. If you experience any of these side effects, contact your doctor.
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