Alli Weight Loss Program

Alli is the only over-the-counter weight loss aid approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The Alli Weight Loss Program consists of the Alli capsule, an eating plan, reference materials such as a calorie and fat counter -- and a journal and online support. According to GlaxoSmithKline, makers of Alli, participants who stick with the Alli program lose up to 50 percent more weight than those who diet without using Alli.

Active Ingredient

The Alli capsule contains orlistat, a drug that blocks your body's absorption of fat. This is the same drug in the prescription medication, Xenical, although Alli contains a lower dosage. Alli works in your digestive system to block about 25 percent of the fat you consume. The fat passes through your body as waste. You take three Alli pills a day, one with each meal, and also follow a low-calorie, low-fat diet plan. You should also take a multi-vitamin each day, since Orlistat can also block absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K.

Side Effects

The unabsorbed fat passes through your body. This can cause you to experience cramping, bloating, gas and diarrhea. Some people have reported an urgent need to get to the bathroom, which could be a problem if you're tied up in a class, office meeting or traffic. These side effects are most pronounced if you eat a meal that contains more than 15 percent fat. To counteract these side effects, the makers of Alli recommend you eat a low-fat diet for three days before you begin taking Alli, and continue with the low-fat diet while you're on the pill. Side effect indicate you're eating too much fat.

Eating Plan

The Alli plan emphasizes low-fat meal plans that include lean meats and dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The starter plan includes sample recipes and you can find many more online at the Alli website. The plan encourages you to eat three meals a day plus healthy snacks to keep from going hungry. The diet plan has three phases. In the first phase fat makes up only 15 percent of your diet. In the second phase, you can get 20 percent of your calories from fat. In the final phase, the one you're supposed to stay on for maintenance, fat supplies 30 percent of the calories in your diet.

Results

People who use Alli reportedly lose about 3 to 5 lbs. more in six months than the 8 lbs. they would lose with diet and exercise alone. So you could expect to lose between 11 and 13 lbs. in six months of taking Alli and following their eating and exercise plan. The program is designed to teach you how to eat healthily -- but if you stop taking Alli you could regain the weight. MayoClinic.com reports that most people who take medications to lose weight regain the weight once they discontinue the medication.