The Problem with Alli, the New Diet Drug

The renowned fat-blocker Xenical has now spawned a less-potent child drug, Alli. According to the news, on its first day you could not find it on the store shelves - people bought every box they could find. It's being hailed as a miracle diet drug, a way the hopeless or weak-of-will can finally shed pounds without diet, exercise, or surgery.

Nonsense. Like any other drug, Alli will work as well as the person taking it follows the directions - and the directions on Alli recommend a diet/exercise regimen that, I'm betting, two-thirds or better of those taking the drug won't follow.

Still, it's better than fen-phen; Alli works strictly in the digestive tract. Instead of messing with your metabolism, it prevents your body from absorbing fat-based nutrients. That pat of butter won't go to your waste; it will, instead, go into the toilet.Part of the reason Alli has suddenly received huge attention is because it is the ONLY diet drug that has been reviewed and approved by the FDA that is also sold over the counter. This is a significant factor with an FDA that has been reluctant to recommend any pills for diet at all.

How Alli Works

The prescription version of Alli, Xenical, recommends taking a dose three times a day before each meal, and keeping the fats low especially in the beginning of your regimen. Alli is taken in a similar manner. Both prescribe a diet that is has about one-third protein, carbohydrate, and fat.

Alli works by preventing pancreatic lipase, an enzyme in your intestines, from breaking down fats for use by the body. The result? Fats remain in large-molecule form, which cannot be absorbed by the intestines and therefore will just pass through the system.

Standard prescription strength Xenical prevents 30% of fat from being absorbed, especially fats around when you take the medication. Alli is half-strength and prevents about 15-20% from being absorbed - but still has 80% of the side effects. Those who cut down on the fats - still only have 15-20% of the fats they do eat prevented from absorption.

Alli Benefits

With Alli you lose, according to studies, fifty percent more weight on the prescribed weight loss program than you would on the same program with no drug supplement. It is not a magic bullet. You still have to use your brain and push the plate away. The side effects of taking Alli and NOT following the diet, however, may be enough to discourage cheating.

Still, there is a seriously good advantage to Alli. Those prone to diabetes may benefit enormously. The incidence of type 2 diabetes went down 37% in those taking Xenical. Alli, while only half the strength of Xenical, will undoubtedly have an impact on diabetes in the same way. If you're worried about diabetes but just can't seem to cut the sweets, Alli might be a good first step. It's worth talking to your doctor about.

Alli Problems

What goes in must come out - somehow. Alli causes diarrhea, most intense at the beginning and lasting at least a week. In some patients, the diarrhea lasts up to six months. If you've ever eaten anything with Olestra in fairly large quantities, you may have an idea of what to expect. It is somewhat different, however, and some people may have a worse case of the runs than others.

Vitamins such as A, D, E, K, and beta-carotene are fat-soluble - that means that if your body isn't absorbing fat, it's not absorbing these vitamins effectively. This can result in really serious side effects. The wise dieter takes a supplement including these vitamins, and takes them when Alli is weakest. To ensure adequate vitamin D, a little sunlight can be just as effective as a supplement.

Alli is a fat blocker. Fat blockers block good fats, too, like omega-3 and omega-6. Supplements with these fats should be taken at the same time as the above-mentioned vitamins.

Some ninny will overdose on Alli, taking three or four times the recommended dosage to attempt to block ALL the fat in his or her diet. Still, higher doses do not give better effects than the standard dose. The best you can hope for is blocking 30% with a double dose to equal the prescription strength. But remember: the over-the-counter version was invented for a reason. You should always discuss your plans with a doctor before changing any recommended dosage.

While more than half of those who took Xenical, the prescription version, lost 5-10% of their body mass over a year, when they quit taking it - yep, they gained it all back. If you're seriously overweight, Alli may not give you enough help to make the side effects worth it.

There is some evidence linking Xenical with colon cancer, and Alli is the same drug. This suggests caution might be a wise course. And those who have had their gallbladders removed should NOT take Alli at all.

Still planning to take Alli? Even at the $2-a-day cost? Well, happy diarrhea to you, and I hope it works!