Not that I am interested in trying this product, but what are the opinions on the new FDA-approved OTC weight loss pill called Alli? For as many problems as I have losing weight (even with my hypothyroidism regulated, I never seem to do well losing weight), I wouldn't try it. They say it will "keep you in the bathroom," so to speak, until the body adjusts. And, if you eat more than 15g fat per meal, it may send you back to the potty. Seems like a bad idea to make something like that OTC and also make it so easy for teens and those with body issues to get. Thoughts?
Alli?
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I agree. I've never subscribed to the idea that a pill will solve your problems. I think it is scary that there is no oversight of this medicine - and that some people will think it is perfectly safe and okay simply because of the words "FDA-approved." I also think, for those that try it, that it would be miserable to have the side effects - yuck - and you are right, buying 3rd world water would be cheaper!
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looking at my fitday, i usually eat 25-50g/fat per day, not per meal. I guess it all depends on your diet. Mine is not high in fat, but the "typical american diet" probably is. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">
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i think that this would be an excellent tool for someone who can control their fat intake, but for most who are going to use it, thats probably not the case. although, if someone is that good at controling their diet, the probably dont need the pill in the first place.<br><br>
from what i read at the website, it sounds like the pill works with negative reinforcement. when you eat too much fat, you get greasy poo everywhere. eventually you will decide that you dont want greasy poo eveywhere and stop eating so much fat. i have a feeling that any either case, you will be miserable. from being overweight, from the greasy poo, or from trying to avoid the greasy poo.
from what i read at the website, it sounds like the pill works with negative reinforcement. when you eat too much fat, you get greasy poo everywhere. eventually you will decide that you dont want greasy poo eveywhere and stop eating so much fat. i have a feeling that any either case, you will be miserable. from being overweight, from the greasy poo, or from trying to avoid the greasy poo.
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Using a pill as a diet aid/deterrent against eating a high-fat diet due to the side effects still doesn't solve the root issues: lack of knowledge about the nutrition balance the body needs and/or eating out of balance for psychological reasons. It sounds potentially dangerous yet all too available for some users.<br><br>
But, some consumers will see this as their holy grail and the company will make money off them.<br><br>
15g fat = 135 calories. It's very easy to get more than that in a single meal unless a person is watching their fat intake.
But, some consumers will see this as their holy grail and the company will make money off them.<br><br>
15g fat = 135 calories. It's very easy to get more than that in a single meal unless a person is watching their fat intake.
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There are a couple other drugs similar to this on the market: Xenical is the only one I can remember, but I distinctly remember the first time I saw the commercial it said: side effects include explosive, uncontrollable diarhhea. Yeah, that'd be negative reinforcement, alright, but what is that going to teach me about regulating my diet for the rest of my life? Nothing.<br><br>
Like others have said, it's a quick fix with possibly hazardous side effects (dehydration from excessive diarhhea, possible intestinal damage, etc). Weight loss and maintenance is a lifestyle thing, and as much as our society thrives on magic bullets, playing with bullets of any kind comes with risks. And honestly, the drug companies really don't give a rat's ass about the consumers, they're out to make money. I used to work for one, so I know this. It's sad, but very true. It's a business, and businesses are largely interested in profits. <img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif">
Like others have said, it's a quick fix with possibly hazardous side effects (dehydration from excessive diarhhea, possible intestinal damage, etc). Weight loss and maintenance is a lifestyle thing, and as much as our society thrives on magic bullets, playing with bullets of any kind comes with risks. And honestly, the drug companies really don't give a rat's ass about the consumers, they're out to make money. I used to work for one, so I know this. It's sad, but very true. It's a business, and businesses are largely interested in profits. <img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif">
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Xenical is prescription and I believe is intended to work more as an appetite suppressant.<br><br>
Orlistat (called Alli OTC) prevents the absorbtion of some fats in the digestive tract.<br><br>
Wouldn't you think that could lead to nutrient deficiencies over time Generally I don't think meessing with physiology for the long-term is a good idea.
Orlistat (called Alli OTC) prevents the absorbtion of some fats in the digestive tract.<br><br>
Wouldn't you think that could lead to nutrient deficiencies over time Generally I don't think meessing with physiology for the long-term is a good idea.
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XENICAL At Work-taken from the official Roche site. Apparently it's the same drug and Alli is the OTC version of this prescription. Yuck.<br><br>
If you eat an excessive amount of fat or calories, the excess is stored as fat by the body, resulting in weight gain. When you eat fat, your body breaks it down into its simplest components so that it can be digested.<br><br>
Unlike other weight-loss drugs you may have heard about that act in the brain or central nervous system to suppress appetite or to speed up metabolism, XENICAL works in your digestive system to block about one-third of the fat in the food you eat from being digested.<br><br>
Enzymes in your digestive system, called lipases, help digest (or break down) fat. When taken with meals, XENICAL attaches to the lipases and blocks them from breaking down some of the fat you have eaten.<br><br>
The undigested fat cannot be absorbed and is eliminated in your bowel movements. By working this way, XENICAL helps block about one-third of the fat in the foods you eat from being absorbed by your body.
If you eat an excessive amount of fat or calories, the excess is stored as fat by the body, resulting in weight gain. When you eat fat, your body breaks it down into its simplest components so that it can be digested.<br><br>
Unlike other weight-loss drugs you may have heard about that act in the brain or central nervous system to suppress appetite or to speed up metabolism, XENICAL works in your digestive system to block about one-third of the fat in the food you eat from being digested.<br><br>
Enzymes in your digestive system, called lipases, help digest (or break down) fat. When taken with meals, XENICAL attaches to the lipases and blocks them from breaking down some of the fat you have eaten.<br><br>
The undigested fat cannot be absorbed and is eliminated in your bowel movements. By working this way, XENICAL helps block about one-third of the fat in the foods you eat from being absorbed by your body.
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And SGH, based on what I just read, I would agree with you about the long term deficiency thing. If you start interfering with chemicals as this drug does, you are bound to create major changes which could lead to long term problems, especially when you're talking about blocking enzymatic function. I can't imagine that undigested fat is the only thing long term that would be affected. I remember having a conversation with my boss at Merck, who was a molecular toxicologist, when this drug first came out and he said the same thing.<br><br>
Normally the pharma companies can get away with marketing a prescription drug as OTC once the patent expires on the original drug by lowering the dose for the OTC version. Most of your Aleve, Advil, etc are the same and were all once prescription drugs. Alli is half the dose (60mg) of the original, which is 120mg. This is what happens to most high sellers once the patent expires. I know our company had a specific department that was just for OTC and the stuff was sold to us at a discount in our "school store."
Normally the pharma companies can get away with marketing a prescription drug as OTC once the patent expires on the original drug by lowering the dose for the OTC version. Most of your Aleve, Advil, etc are the same and were all once prescription drugs. Alli is half the dose (60mg) of the original, which is 120mg. This is what happens to most high sellers once the patent expires. I know our company had a specific department that was just for OTC and the stuff was sold to us at a discount in our "school store."
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Thanks for setting me straight. I got the two mixed up. <img alt="surprised.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/surprised.gif">
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I think there is another one out there that is more of the old time appetite suppressant, that came out around the same time. And there's an OTC one that I've seen in drugstores and Walmart that has a similar name, I think it's Xenadrine or something like that, which is basically like Metabolife. That may be what you are thinking of.<br><br>
Sorry, my old pharma roots are showing <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif"> Sometimes it's bad to have that much insider information.
Sorry, my old pharma roots are showing <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif"> Sometimes it's bad to have that much insider information.
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I hope that it "is" a magic pill--or a least lays groundwork for the magic pill. I know this sounds a little strange as I believe in exercise and eating normal, but medicine has crossed the barrier into bariatrics (supposedly for those that just "can't lose weight"<img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif">, if pharmaceuticals can put doctors that are overeager to put a a patient under the knife for quick results, out of commission, then I'm going with the lesser of two evils...both groups are in for the $$. It's too bad that these weight-loss pills can't be administered under the direction of someone licensed in diet and nutrition rather than freely dispensed.
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I hope that it "is" a magic pill--or a least lays groundwork for the magic pill. I know this sounds a little strange as I believe in exercise and eating normal, but medicine has crossed the barrier into bariatrics (supposedly for those that just "can't lose weight"<img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif">, if pharmaceuticals can put doctors that are overeager to put a a patient under the knife for quick results, out of commission, then I'm going with the lesser of two evils...both groups are in for the $$. It's too bad that these weight-loss pills can't be administered under the direction of someone licensed in diet and nutrition rather than freely dispensed.
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As much as Oprah is maligned about her diets etc.. she has stated often that there is NO magic pill.. if there was SHE would have it! I believe the as she obviously has the money and HATES to exercise and diet...<br>
This is Alli thing seems so insidious to me. The advertising displays are everywhere which alluring rainbow colors... and it is sick to think of people being desperate enough to spend the $$ to poo their food away just so they don't have to do the work.<br>
Diarhea is a sickness.. it shows that something is wrong and needs to adjust in the body. The world it just getting to weird for words !
This is Alli thing seems so insidious to me. The advertising displays are everywhere which alluring rainbow colors... and it is sick to think of people being desperate enough to spend the $$ to poo their food away just so they don't have to do the work.<br>
Diarhea is a sickness.. it shows that something is wrong and needs to adjust in the body. The world it just getting to weird for words !
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I'm wary of any new pill warning me to wear dark clothing until I can be certain of the effects it will have on me.<br><br>
They say it increases weight loss by 50%, but it's important to remember that in most people that isn't much. Perhaps by the end of a year you've lost an extra 10 pounds? And if you needed the drug that much you probably have a lot more than a few pounds to lose.<br><br>
Not to mention it screws up with vitamin absorption.
They say it increases weight loss by 50%, but it's important to remember that in most people that isn't much. Perhaps by the end of a year you've lost an extra 10 pounds? And if you needed the drug that much you probably have a lot more than a few pounds to lose.<br><br>
Not to mention it screws up with vitamin absorption.
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