Alli is the first FDA-approved diet pill available without a prescription; an FDA weight loss supplement.  Alli (pronounced Al-eye) is 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 launched in Q1 2009 and has proven to be a blockbuster already for GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of Alli.

According to MyAlli.com, 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. Contrary to other products in the market that claim the get trim fast mantra, Alli encourages eating well and exercising.  Indeed, commonsense health at work, which we’ve discussed before.

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.

Bowel Effects

Many have commented on the unfortunate side-effects of Alli, such as Diarrhea.  The manufacturer responds to these claims,

You’ve probably heard about the treatment effects that some alli users experience. These bowel related changes (or GI-related effects) can happen, especially during the first few weeks that you use Alli. While you want to avoid treatment effects, it’s even more important to learn how to avoid the behaviors that lead to them.

Alli blocks 25% of the fat you eat from being absorbed, and the fat that isn’t absorbed is harmlessly passed through your bowels. As a result, you may experience some bowel changes during the first few weeks of use. These treatment effects are most likely to occur after taking an Alli capsule and eating a meal containing more than 15 grams of fat. Staying below your fat threshold lowers the chance of these treatment effects.  If you do experience a treatment effect, it may be because you’ve gone beyond your target. It’s helpful to think of these effects as reminders from your body that you need to stick to lower-fat foods.

In other words, if you are experiencing Diarrhea, you need to stop eating high-fat foods.  In a way, it’s a live-by-the-consequences type of diet pill: while on Alli and you eat fatty foods, you’re going to get Diarrhea.

From the customer’s perspective, taken from several forums on the web:

Don’t eat at Taco Bell,

I’m using Alli and I’ve only had the “treatment effect” once, after I had ate a taco the day before. Even though it was made with low fat ground turkey, it had too much grease. So no more tacos for me.  As long as I stay with low fat meals, I have no effects.

Use common sense,

I think that’s part of the psychology of Alli . . . you know if you eat fatty stuff you’re going to have the runs . . . it therefore makes it uncomfortable to eat crappy, so you don’t!

A lot of Diarrhea will make you lose weight,

It seems like Alli is more or less a way to punish you for eating bad (grease trail out your back-side), so in order to avoid a disgusting mess, you are forced to carefully monitor what goes into your mouth.  I think *that* is what causes the weight loss!

It is definately what causes the weight loss. A friend of mine is taking Alli and she brings extra underwears and pads to work just in case . . . It’s just gross.

Lifestyle change + Alli = Good Results,

Okay, I’ve heard of the Alli results about loose stools if you overeat, I don’t think I can bring myself to be that careful when dieting. My family started to consider using Alli, but I am the one to object to it. Great if its working for your family and friends but I can do that. We’ll have our slip from time to time, but I suppose it does help given that you must stick with the instructions not to eat more than you are supposed to.

Diarrhea is very real,

When I first started this diet last year. I used it as a way to eat whatever I want.. I thought hey its blocking out the fat! but I was wrong. Treatment effects are nasty and its not something that one should have to experiance . . . I quit.

I decided to give it another try and Its working great! I have styayed with in my allowed fat grams and calories. Definatly showing results.. If you are interested in this diet I suggest one start a low calorie diet a week before they start the pills just to make sure that its something one can do if not it will be a waste to buy the pills which are pricey . . .

Just a head up if you buy the 120 diet pill pack it comes with the booklet too so you wont have to get the starter

Oh and the book is AWSOME!! shoot I wish I would have gotten it for dollar lol

So, use your judgment and choose well.  Be good to yourself today.