According to the manufacturer, alli is an over-the-counter aid for weight loss. It works in the digestive system through the ingredient orlistat, which prevents the body from absorbing close to 25 percent of the fat that's ingested. The weight-loss aid is not a supplement, but is meant to be taken in conjunction with a diet plan.
History
GlaxoSmithKline, the pharmaceutical company that produces alli, reported in February 2007 that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of alli for weight loss. Use of the over-the-counter weight-loss aid was approved in the United States in the form of 60-mg capsules. The product became available amid widespread advertising and marketing campaigns in the summer of 2007.
Features
In addition to the daily pill, dieters are instructed to go online to register with alli makers to fill in personal information and receive a customized diet plan. The alli diet is meant to work with a low-calorie, low-fat diet and increased exercise. Dieters are advised to eat no more than 15 percent fat in each meal. The online program provides menu suggestions as well as a personal journal and other weight-loss tools.
Effects
Orlistat attaches to enzymes, called lipase, in the food ingested and prevents them from converting into fat. Since it is not digested, the unprocessed fat passes naturally through the body and is expelled. Dieters who eat too much fat at a meal may experience side effects such as diarrhea, loose stools and gas with an oily discharge, report Mayo Clinic doctors.
Benefits
Because alli works primarily in the digestive system, sleep is not disturbed. The brain and nervous system are not affected by the weight-loss aid and does not produce jitteriness and heart palpitations as experienced by many dieters taking other weight-loss aids. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic report that although extensive studies on alli are continuing, it is conceivable that dieters could expect to lose an additional 3 pounds per year on top of the 8 pounds that could be lost by following a low-calorie, low -fat diet.
Warning
While the FDA approved the use of alli as an aid for weight loss, it is reviewing the side effects and consequences of long-term use of the product, as reported in an August 2009 report. FDA researchers found numerous instances of liver failure and liver damage in patients using orlistat, which also is the active ingredient in the prescription drug Xenical.
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