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Alli
The FDA's only over-the-counter diet pill.
BACKGROUND
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Warning: Alli Linked To Liver Damage
The anticipation for a new diet pill is over as the FDA recently approved Alli (pronounced Al-eye). It's the weight loss newcomer that is quickly finding its place on drug store shelves. Alli is the first FDA-approved diet pill available without a prescription. Alli is actually a low-dose version of Xenical, a prescription drug that successfully assists obese individuals losing weight. Xenical is taken under a doctor's care while following a low-calorie, low-fat diet. Alli has the same active ingredient (Orlistat), but in a much lower dosage, and is available without the prescription.
Alli can help you lose a few pounds more than just dieting and exercise alone. It works by suppressing the body's ability to absorb fat in the intestines. By reducing fat, you reduce calories. When the body is unable to absorb these fats they become undigested waste.
Alli works best when it is used in conjunction with a low-calorie, low-fat diet and a regular exercise program. But since sticking to a reduced-calorie diet is tough and since certain foods need to be avoided while using the diet pill, Alli has partnered with eDiets, a meal delivery service that delivers Alli-specific meals to your door every week.
While some may view Alli as a controversial solution to weight loss, the manufacturers of this product have gone to great lengths to offer a comprehensive program to its users in order to make weight loss as easy and approachable as possible.
Although studies on the amount of weight loss you can lose with Alli are limited, you can expect to lose three to five pounds more than just relying on diet and exercise alone.
PRO
- May help to jump start a weight loss program
- Comprehensive website that offers support, food journals, calorie counters, meal plans and shopping lists
- Partnership with eDiets makes eating and meal planning simple and convenient
- The only over-the-counter diet pill with FDA approval
- Low-dose version of effective prescription diet pill
CON
- Some think it shouldn’t be sold without a prescription
- Not a long-term solution to weight loss
- Uncomfortable side effects
- Must be very careful to not exceed the maximum fat gram requirement with each meal
- Weight loss affects are modest
- Meal delivery services don't teach you how to consume and prepare your own calorie and portion-controlled meals
INGREDIENTS
Alli contains 60 mg of Orlistat.
ADMINISTRATION
Alli is a 60 mg tablet taken three times a day with meals that should not exceed 15 mg of fat.
DIET and EXERCISE
A low-fat and low-calorie diet must be followed while taking Alli. Since the success of Alli depends so largely on what you eat, how much you eat and when you eat, you have two choices for designing the most effective meal plan for your weight loss needs:
- You could consult with your physician or a registered dietitian to design a well-laid out diet and exercise plan.
- You could sign up for Alli's partner eDiets, a meal delivery service that creates special Alli-approved meals and delivers them to your door each week.
With the eDiets plan, you eat three meals a day plus snack and desserts. Menus can be personalized to reflect your tastes and preferences and you also have access to a registered dietitian, an online community of other Alli dieters and fitness and exercise support.
Since the fat content of each meal must be closely monitored while using Alli (no more than 15 mg each day), eDiets special Alli-approved meals meet these requirements so that your risk of side effects is kept to a minimum.
The eDiets menu includes a wide variety of delicious meals, including:
- Maple Apple Oatmeal
- Denver Style Potato Skillet with Turkey Ham
- Rosemary Pork with Brown Rice
- Oven Roasted Turkey with Savory Sweet Potatoes and Mixed Garden Vegetables
- Blackened Chicken served with Seasoned Spicy Brown Rice
- Peach Cobbler
- Sugar-free Pudding
Irrespective of which meal plan you follow, since Alli inhibits the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, it is important to take a daily supplement that includes Vitamins A, D and E.
In addition, for the best results, a regular exercise program should also be followed that includes 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. If you decide to sign-up with eDiets meal delivery service, you have access to a live fitness trainer to help you customize an exercise plan to compliment your weight loss needs.
CONCLUSION
Many people have seen positive results with Alli. However, those considering taking Alli should note that side effects can include gas, and uncontrolled urination and bowel movements, especially when not following the guidelines prescribed by Alli.
Alli is not a magic pill to lose weight, but its special partnership with eDiets, a meal delivery service, makes eating and meal planning simple and convenient.
Do keep in mind that the effects of taking Alli in comparison to just dieting and exercising alone are just the difference of a few pounds. It is necessary that you consult with your medical practitioner before taking Alli.
Common Misspellings
Alle, Ally, Alli Diet, Alli Pill, Alli Diet Pill, Allu, alli.com
Featured Diets
Related Diets: eDiets, Advantra-Z, Contrave, Hydroxycut, Orlistat, Xenical
User Feedback
(Page 13 of 19, 369 total comments)New Yorker
I've been pretty amazed by the varying degrees of comments that have been posted within the past few weeks. Convinced that this product might actually work, despite "Be Smart's" commentary (that half the comments are false and produced by the company itself), I found that the product does supress my hunger. Not drastically loosing much weight (and not exercising either) I don't get the "nasty" side affects that others have. I've been taking it for almost a week and have felt a little light (headed) but taking a multivitamin in highly suggested. I rarely do eat greasy foods, and have not had the side affects people claim to have. So far, the product is really knew, but I will come back and share my success or probable failure. I am 5'5 and between 148-150lbs and am trying to get down to 125-130. I've tried the exercise, yet I've never kept any of the weight I lost off because that would mean my whole life diet would change, which it hasnt. Thus, I'm going to continue to give alli a try in hopes that I will loose the weight and keep it off, but there is always the question or statement that there isn't a pill that can fix this challenging issue...
posted Jun 26th, 2008 8:29 amBe Smart
You guys do Know that half these comments are FAKE and are posted by the actual company itself to make there prouduct look good. Duh.
posted Jun 24th, 2008 10:10 amWilliam
Is anyone buying the Alli cookbooks? because there are alot of places where you can go out to eat, and they give you meals that you can order, and still stay within your guidelines
posted Jun 23rd, 2008 10:03 amErika
I have been taking alli for about 5 days now, and i believe ive lost about 3 pounds.I find myself to eat less fattening foods in order to avoid the unpleasent side effects which only happen when i cheat and eat something greasy or high in fat other than that i have not had much side effects. As for the weight loss feel my eating habits have helped that and im hoping its the pill as well. Ive tried alot of other weight loss pills and nothing has worked so im hoping on this one.Id say im going to give it a month and see if i see some good results to judge .
posted Jun 23rd, 2008 10:03 amWilliam
I've been on Alli since Feb, and I have lost over 45 lbs. To date I never had any of the side effects.
posted Jun 21st, 2008 7:55 amTinda
I've tried ALLI for about mnth 1/2 it seemed to work alittle i lost about 8-10lbs. but the side effects are gross.Dont mess around and eat small fries when your on the go with the kids,wooh, the oily discharge that you have, that's just gas! Let's say when taking ALLI on the road or out to eat, bring your baby wipes!!! To clean that oil spill!!! but it works....
posted Jun 19th, 2008 4:34 pmKelly
I took Alli for about 6 weeks and lost a total of 10 pounds. The weight comes off slow but remember the slower you lose weight the more likely you are to keep it off. I also recommend keeping a journal of what you eat. That way when you stop taking the Alli after you have reached your goal you can keep your diet in check and prevent weight gain afterwards. Don't get discouraged. Alli is a great aide in weight loss but don't forget to exercise and reward yourself for the weight loss don't give all the credit to the Alli.
posted Jun 19th, 2008 9:38 amTrying Alli
Tonia..Hi. Was wondering.. have u been excersing too..along with taking the pill?...Just curious.
posted Jun 16th, 2008 9:08 amTonia
Been on alli 10 days and so far lost 14 pounds. So far no treatment effects. I am happy as can be with the pill. I do stay within the calorie and fat guidelines alli tells ya.
posted Jun 13th, 2008 9:34 amTrying Alli
6-11-08 Heard about Alli and thought I'd give it a try.. today is my second day on it and so far so good..been eating a low fat diet and no bad treatment effects yet...just been urinating a little more than usual..will keep you all posted....
posted Jun 11th, 2008 7:04 pmChris
Photochick....I take a pill right before I eat. I only had side effects once. It was from eating movie theatre popcorn....omg it was crazy. The best way I can describe the oil side affect is to picture folding a piece of pizza in half, and that orange oil that drips off the pizza that is exactly what comes out of you. It is like pure fat.
posted Jun 9th, 2008 9:48 amjasmine
im 12 and i want to know if i can tack this pill to mack me look sexy for my boyfreind yes or no
posted Jun 8th, 2008 4:41 pmSuccess Story
6-5-08 I'm 54, so weight loss at this age was impossible. I started taking alli last September - 10 lbs lost by Christmas and 12 more by this past April. Definitely side effects, but manageable. This product is amazing and I will continue to take.
posted Jun 5th, 2008 7:00 pmJamie
6/1/08.. I started takin this pill 2 days ago. I had no side effects so I wanted to test it. I HATE, i repeat HHHAAATTTEEE McDonalds but I know it's the next best thing to heart failure so I ate there just to test the GI Tract. Let me tell ya, not pleasant. Well, to someone who is used to going every 3 days it's a dangg blessing.. but to someone who goes once a day, grab the preperation H if you plan to eat a fatty meal. IM assuming the last two days i had no effects because i didnt eat fatty foods. If this pill doesnt make you lose weight it will definitely make you think twice about the food you consume thats for sure. And if you think changing a baby diaper is bad? You got another thing coming when you eat a fatty meal on Alli. It made ME cry and open windows. I was so disgusted. I went out and bought an entire house wirth of new food because of m bowel movement. THREE for one big mac. THREE.
posted Jun 2nd, 2008 9:14 amchick
I'm taking alli now. It's true the fat comes out when you go to the restroom but at least it doesn't stay in me. i lost 12lbs on my own and want alli to help me lose another 10. you take it before meals. it really works my friend lost 50lbs. of course your not going to lose them from one day to the next but stay positive even if its 1lb a month and try to cut the grease. you can eat pizza just beware you will pay for it. BUT SO WORTH IT!!! good luck!
posted Jun 1st, 2008 1:31 pmPhotochik
I started taking this product-but the instructions state 'take with a meal' so is that before i eat or after i eat? I've been taking it before and haven't noticed any side effects. But i'm also a vegetarian and my fat intake is pretty low anyways. It makes me think i'm taking it at the wrong time? Someone let me know please!
posted May 31st, 2008 9:27 amfabforty
I started taking alli about 6 weeks ago. I have lost about 18 pounds. I have never ever had ANY kind of side effect. No gas, no weird poop, no extra trips to the bathroom of any kind. I started my lowfat diet a few days before starting the pills and I stay well below the fat grams that are recommended. There have been a few meals that I've wanted to splurge, so I've just not taken the pill. Still, no side effects. I don't know if it was just my mindset or if it was the pills, but something has clicked and I've finally dropped the pounds I've struggled with the past few years. Though, I've not had any effects, the fear of having them has definitely kept me on the straight and narrow. I'm glad I tried them, although, they probably aren't for everyone, I've felt no ill effects.
posted May 29th, 2008 8:40 amdrama
just starting this product will keep you posted....
posted May 29th, 2008 8:40 amAnonymous
Just a note regarding the negative effects of Alli that some people noted (I haven't taken it but speaking from a medical background) - (1) Alli can't be addictive...not to say other drugs aren't but this one doesn't appear to have any effects on any centers that result in addiction or dependence...it works on an enzyme that acts in our intestines to absorb fats ... (2) someone noted experiencing problems 2 years after terminating the program - that actually may be an effect that the clinical trials haven't picked up on... not likely to happen in everyone - just a VERY small percentage - but it's more likely if you take them for an extended period of time
posted May 27th, 2008 9:31 am~~~
I started alli Thursday May 15th at 161, and now Sun. May 18 I am 158.. thats a pound a day I have lost... I am also on the special K diet as well. Only had the side affect once the first day I started as I pigged out on pizza and took the pill... if you are on a lowfat diet theres not any side affects!!! Works for me great so far... we'll see. :)
posted May 19th, 2008 10:44 am