Pros and Cons Of The New Alli Diet Pill
Posted: Wednesday, June 20, 2007
by Donovan Baldwin
No Diet 4 Me
Okay, the disclaimer first. I don't much believe in diet pills, and the Alli diet pill is no exception.
That being said, I truly tried to dispassionately review the available info on the new FDA approved weightloss product from GlaxoSmithKline. Considering my already biased opinion on the subject, however, I decided to adopt the approach of offering pros and cons about the new diet pill and letting readers judge for themselves.
1. It is available over the counter without a prescription.
2. Alli is an FDA approved nonprescription dosage of the well known fat loss pill, Xenical
3. It does block absorption of some fats
4. It can be used to help some people lose a small amount of weight
5. It apparently works best if you are exercising regularly but have a lot of fat in your diet
6. GlaxoSmithKline stock should go up because the diet pill market is huge and this stuff is flying off the shelves in some areas.
Now, I tried to be fair, but I am sure you have already noticed a slightly unimpressed tone to the "positive" statements I listed above. Sorry, couldn't help it.
Here's the negative side.
1. The average weight loss with the Alli diet pill alone, which seems to sell for about $59.95 a bottle, is about 1 pound a month.
- You could cut one sugar-sweetened soda a day and lose about the same amount while saving $30.00 or more depending on where you buy your sodas...or donuts...or double cheese hamburgers.
- If you are losing five pounds a month with exercise and healthy eating, you probably DON'T NEED a diet pill that does strange things to your body. More on that in a minute.
- If you are already eating a low fat diet, there won't be much for it to do, hence, it won't do much for you.
- Dietary fat is necessary for the absorption of certain vitamins vital to health. While the evidence is still out, there is some concern that blocking the fat may expose the user to health threatening vitamin deficiencies.
- Omega 3 fatty acids (good for your heart) are blocked as well (bad for your heart).
- When people quit taking the pill, they tended to gain back whatever weight they had lost. Simple! There was no lifestyle change involved. When you quit taking the pill and you haven't changed your exercise or eating habits, your body will go back to the way it was before. In other words, GlaxoSmithKline has you at $59.95 a pop for the rest of your life...unless you want to take a brisk 20 minute walk every day or so...which is free.
- Let's keep it simple. If you decide to take this drug, you might want to purchase some more underwear or Depends diapers for adults. In other words, side effects include excessive flatulence, oily bowel movements which can be difficult to control, and anal leakage.
About the Author
Donovan Baldwin is a freelance writer residing in Stone Mountain, Georgia, and a University of West Florida alumnus. He is a member of Mensa and is retired from the U. S. Army after 21 years of service. In his career, he has held many managerial and supervisory positions. However, his main pleasures have long been writing, nature, health, and fitness. In the last few years, he has been able to combine these pleasures by writing poetry and articles on subjects such as health, fitness, weight lifting, yoga, weightloss, the environment, global warming, happiness, self improvement, and life. You can find a collection of his articles on health, fitness, diet, and weight loss at http://nodiet4me.com/.
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)If everyone thought like you poor GlaxoSmithKline would go outta business, lol. I really enjoyed your article, well written, humorous and common sensical.
I think I'd rather cut out one soda. Maybe I should experiment. Thanks for helping us cut through all the hype.
I guess the question everyone must ask themselves is: exercise and eat healthy or poop my pants infront of the entire staff?:0Gee! I don't know. Tough choice. Let me think about.....oops! Gotta go!
I have been taking alli for abot 2 months now... as far as the vitamins go they advise u to take multivitimains to maintain... also the only time I have a those side affects is when I have eaten something that I knew I wasn't suppose to... I have lost about 40 pounds. You do have a life style change because I have become so afriad of the side affects I only eat what I am suppose to eat. so when I stop taking the pill I can maintain in the gym and I learned new eating habits. Alli is great but this is just mu opinionHi! I am glad that it is working for you. Some people will benefit from some things, others will not. Some of us need something that keeps us on track...as Alli seems to be doing for you. As you say, "You do have a life style change..."! Simply taking the pill and going on as if nothing has happened won't do much for anyone, and, again as you say, "the only time I have a those side affects is when I have eaten something that I knew I wasn't suppose to". People who can do the lifestyle change to regular moderate exercise AND healthy eating and living habits and stick with it without the help of a pill, will not really need the Alli pill in most cases. It has been my experience, however, that those who depend on a pill, or shot, or surgery to 'help' them reach a weight loss goal often lose the momentum they had going in their lives once they quit taking the pill, the shot wears off, or old habits start to overwhelm the surgical changes. I hope your success continues and wish you the best. Thanks for sharing your first hand information with us.
thank you for the article. my husband and i needed a lifestyle change about 2 years ago, after a trainer friend 'diagnosed' us as obese!!!! i was horrified! so, we joined a gym and sparkpeople (dot) com. through sparkpeople, i became very motivated to keep track of what i ate and found that i am an emotional eater. today, i eat when i am hungry and workout at the gym 4 times a week. my husband is a bit stubborn. i was considering alli for us (him), but after reading your article i decided to keep what i am doing. i have lost 5 pounds, but lots of inches and i feel great!!!!! dedee w.
ooo the anal leakage got me...no thanks Alli!
well u did a great job of scaring the pants off of me who needs ALLI,lol
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