What is Alli?
Alli (Al-eye) is the over-the-counter, lower dosage form of Xenical (Orlistat), a drug for assisting with weight loss for people on doctor-supervised diets.
How does it work?
Alli partially blocks the absorption of fat from the bowel. Fat is broken up by bile salts from the gall bladder into tiny globules. These globules are acted on by LIPASE, a fat-digesting enzyme secreted by the pancreas. The lipase breaks fat down to mono-glycerides and free fatty acids which can be absorbed in the small intestine. Alli blocks lipase.
Is it effective in weight loss?
Alli increases the amount of weight you lose when you are on a low-fat calorie-controlled diet. Xenical, the full strength, precription version of orlistat claims that for every 10 lb. you lose by dieting you lose an extra 5-6 lb with Xenical. So you can expect a lesser degree of weight loss with Alli.
What are the side effects?
The fat that is prevented from being absorbed continues down the digestive tract. It causes looser, smelly stools and gas which are hard to control. You could have diarrhoea and or incontinence.
Fat soluble vitamins are essential to health, so take a vitamin supplement.
