I want to lose weight ... but not with Alli! |
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Alli are weight loss pills, which can be purchased in pharmacies without a prescription. Although there has been controversy about allowing this drug to market in the United States, its sales were still allowed, and are now expanding into the European market.
Note that this are the first slimming pills approved by the FDA which became available without a prescription. We do not want to speculate too much about it, but it looks like someone wants their piece of the pie in a multi-million weight loss industry.
What is Alli?
Alli (or Xenical) is a slimming program which is based on taking weight loss pills and diet. Active ingredient of Alli is orlistat - lipase inhibitor, or a "fat blocker".
This means that orlistat prevents the absorption of fats from food we eat. In this way the amount of calories that the body absorbs from consumed food is reduced. After that the undigested fat is eliminated from the body via feces.
Is that so simple?
First, we have to mention that this pill has no effect on fat reserves that are already stored in the body. This means that if you already have those extra pounds, you have to get rid of them in other ways - for example, by using low-calorie diet.
Therefore, Alli, besides pills, offers a slimming diet. Alli diet is no better than other diets you can find on the internet. It recommends an intake of 1200 - 2000 calories a day. Interestingly, the diet suggests its users to reduce the fat intake.
We already know that low fat diets can be dangerous and are generally less effective than other forms of diet.
Fat, which we ingest in our daily diet is, after carbohydrates, the most important primary and backup energy source for our bodies.
Not only that, the fat also:
- ensures the normal operation of the body
- is involved in building and maintaining cell structure
- is used in the synthesis of certain hormones, and antibodies
- serves as a source of heat and protects the body from extreme temperatures
- allows the absorption of substances that are soluble in lipids, especially vitamins A, D, E and K
- is a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids - essential fatty acids that the body cannot produce and that must be introduced via the food
Therefore, a reduced fat intake, and then blocking most of the fat which enters our body is extremely dangerous for health.
The consequences include the deterioration of the skin, hair and nails, premature aging and inadequate levels of cholesterol in the body.
However, the most interesting thing is what happens if you do not follow Alli diet and continue consuming "too much" fatty foods.
Side effects
The side effects of the treatment usually involve the uncontrolled release of stool. It is a kind of "punishment" for previous excessive consumption of fatty foods, which forces you to consume fat in smallest possible quantities.
The stool becomes less solid and becomes greasy. Other frequent problems include diarrhea and gas.
In addition, the effects of the treatment include nausea, vomiting, weakness, and chronic fatigue.
Liver damage
To make matters worse, there is a growing number of cases of liver damage due to taking the popular drug for weight loss.
Only in 2009, 30 cases of liver damage due to taking Alli were reported. In total, 27 people were hospitalized, and six people suffered liver failure.
Currently Alli and Xenical are under investigation by the FDA, in order to establish the connection between the drug and liver damage.
In the meantime, doctors encourage their patients to continue taking the drug and to pay attention to early symptoms of liver injury, including nausea, vomiting, fever and chronic fatigue.
When such symptoms occur, doctors recommended their patients to contact them immediately.
Are the benefits of this drug stronger than its risks?
You yourselves have to decide on benefits and risks of this drug. I personally believe that taking these pills represents too big a risk to health.
Equal or even better results can be achieved with a small correction of diet and a light exercise three times a week. In addition, you will lose weight and improve health, rather than destroy it.
I know, it is a lot easier to swallow a pill than go to exercise or refuse a candy. But still - do not join the chain of the weight-loss industry, an industry that earns enormous amounts of money from you and is destroying your health in the process.
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