A Detailed Look at the Alli Weight Loss Program

The most recent contender on the scene for the title of "best weight loss program" is the Alli Weight Loss Program. The program was developed by a physician/nutrition specialist with over 20 years experience in the weight management field, Dr. Caroline Apovian, M.D. Dr. Apovian is currently the Director of the Center for Nutrition and Weight Management at Boston University Medical Center.

Alli is a pill, the only over-the-counter diet pill approved by the FDA, which is marketed as having the ability to increase your weight loss by as much as 50% more than diet and exercise alone. The active ingredient in Alli is orlistat, which has been shown through numerous independent studies to increase weight loss. Orlistat (marketed under the name Alli) belongs to the class of medications known as lipase inhibitors. Lipase is an enzyme found in the digestive system that breaks down food that you consume so that it can be absorbed into your body and stored for later use. Alli stops this enzyme from working, thus your body does not absorb all the fat that you intake. This requires you to burn fat that is stored whenever you need energy. It is important to note that if you are to adhere to this diet plan the maximum number of calories allowed from fat per meal cannot exceed 30% of the total calories.

The Alli Weight Loss Program is a combination of taking a capsule, proper diet, and exercise. The Alli Weight Loss diet is divided into three phases that allow you to eat a specified number of calories and grams of fat per day. While the amount of calories you can consume in a day will never change, the amount of fat that you can intake each day will gradually increase with each phase. Your activity level and current weight are used to determine the total number of calories that are allowed each day (the range is from 1200-1800 calories a day). In the first phase of the Alli Weight Loss Program you will only take in 15% of you total calories per meal from fat grams; phase 2 allows an increase to 20%; and phase 3 tops your calorie intake from fat to 30%.

The most reported side effect of the Alli Weight Loss Program is the passing of the fat in liquid form in your stool. According the Alli website the most experienced "treatment effects" are: gas with oily spotting, loose stool, and more frequent stools that may be hard to control. Even though you are allotted the percentage of fat grams per phase as mentioned above, if you wish to avoid or decrease these treatment effects then it is recommended that you limit your fat intake to no more than 15 grams of fat per meal.

The Alli Weight Loss Program is a well thought out, efficiently designed planned plan to shed extra pounds. However, consider your commitment level before starting this plan. Anyone who has ever dieted knows that it is not about eating certain foods, doing this "targeted" exercise, or taking a "miracle" pill-it is about discipline. As always, you should consult your physician before starting any diet. See what they recommend first. If you follow their diet and exercise plan for eight weeks and are not getting the results you would like, then I would suggest starting to take Alli and follow the Alli Weight Loss Program. If you do not have the tenacity to stick with the original diet, save your money and try something else. This diet is not simply taking a pill and losing weight; it is a very structured regime of medication (vitamins included), proper diet, and exercise.

Good luck with your weight loss success!

"Alli Weight Loss Treatment Effects" myalli.com

"Department of Medicine: Nutrition and Weight Management Center" bmc.org

"Orlistat OTC (marketed as Alli) Information" fda.gov

"The Alli Diet Plan: Your Essential Guide to Success with Alli" amazon.com