Alli is an FDA-approved weight-loss drug, an over-the-counter version of the prescription drug orlistat. The drug actually prevents your body from absorbing some of the dietary fat in the food you eat, which means some of the calories in your meal will pass through your digestive system instead of being used as energy or stored as body fat. Alli doesn't have much of an impact on glucose levels, but the low-calorie eating plan recommended to accompany Alli may cause hypoglycemia if you don't eat enough food or skip meals. You should consult your doctor before using any type of weight loss medication.
How Alli Works
Alli reduces the number of calories your body absorbs in your intestines. The fewer the number of calories your body has to use, the more likely it is your body will need to break-down stored fat to use as energy -- and you lose weight. According to the Mayo Clinic Alli disables the enzyme lipase which breaks down dietary fats. These undigested fats then pass through your intestines, causing some of Alli's less pleasant side effects, including gas with an oily discharge, uncontrollable bowel movements and diarrhea. Because your body doesn't absorb fat, you won't absorb fat-soluble vitamins and will need to take a vitamin supplement that includes vitamins A, D and E.
The Alli Diet and Hypoglycemia
Alli is a weight-loss drug, but includes a weight-loss meal plan, exercise suggestions and an online community for support and to answer questions about using Alli. Following the diet is important, because it limits fat consumption to 15g of fat per meal; eat too much fat and the side-effects of Alli become much worse. The Alli website suggests eating three meals and healthy snacks -- not going longer than four hours without eating. Eating every four hours will also keep glucose levels stable and prevent hypoglycemia. Although much of the food recommended on the Alli diet is low in fat, it isn't carbohydrate-restricted and does include complex carbohydrates that your body can use to produce a slow, steady supply of glucose.
Carbohydrates and Hypoglycemia
Carbohydrates -- not fat -- have the greatest impact on blood sugar levels. To avoid hypoglycemia, you need to regulate glucose and insulin levels by eating foods that slow the production of glucose, such as fiber and protein. Because the Alli plan is a low-fat diet, calories that would normally be consumed as fat are now consumed as either protein or carbs. Choose complex carbs such as whole grains, vegetables and fruit; avoid simple carbs such as sugar that could quickly spike blood sugar. The faster your blood sugar level rises, the more likely it is to crash, causing hypoglycemia.
Alli and Weight Loss
Losing weight will also help prevent hypoglycemia because excess body fat interferes with insulin sensitivity, which may force your body to produce too much insulin. The Mayo Clinic notes that the Alli program may only result in an additional 3 to 5 lbs. weight loss beyond what diet and exercise alone would accomplish over the course of a year. Only you and your doctor can determine if the cost and side-effects of using Alli are worth that additional weight loss.
Member Comments