Alli, the 60-milligram over-the-counter version of orlistat, the weight-loss drug sold by prescription since 1999 under the brand name Xenical (120 mg capsules). Alli blocks the absorption of fat so that you lose about 50 percent more weight with it than without it, all else being equal.
Alli (pronounced AL-eye) became the first non-prescription diet pill approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this year and should be on the shelves of grocery stores, pharmacies and mass-market outlets June 15, but if you are waiting for a magic bullet to lose weight for you, Alli isn't it.
A low-fat diet with 15 grams of fat or less per meal is recommended with Alli. Weight loss is about taking time for self-care. It's about changing your attitude, your behavior and your lifestyle. You have to start from a position of self-worth. Losing weight is a positive thing you do for yourself, not a punitive thing to make up for overeating.
How does Alli work?
Alli is a fat blocker. It works by decreasing the amount of dietary fat that is digested. Does Alli have side effects? Yes, Alli blocks the absorption of fat, and that fat is passed out of the body in stools, so it can cause some gastrointestinal side effects, including diarrhea and cramping, especially if you eat a large amount of fat at one meal.
How much can I lose with Alli?
It depends on your diet and exercise, but with Alli, You will lose about 50 percent more than you would without it. That is, for every 10 pounds you would normally lose, Alli will help you lose five more. If you are on a diet to lose 10 pounds in one month without the medicine, you should lose 15 with it.
What can I do to maximize the benefits of Alli?
Write down everything you eat, and calculate how many fat grams each meal contains. A low-fat meal should have 15 or fewer fat grams. Most of us vastly underestimate how much we eat.
