Originally published February 26 2006
Pharmacy expert offers his opinion on Alli's effectiveness
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
At the ElPasoTimes.com, Dr. Michael Pinon, an expert in pharmacotherapy, gives his opinion of Alli and what Americans can expect while using the weight loss drug.
The never-ending saga of the battle of the bulge may soon be fought along grocery and drug store shelves as opposed to the prescription drop-off window at your pharmacy.
Though GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare still needs final Food and Drug Administration approval, Americans are able, willing and ready for the arrival of Alli, a nonprescription version of Xenical, which would be the first weight-loss drug sanctioned for over-the-counter status.
Launched into the market in 1999 by Roche Pharmaceuticals, Xenical is indicated for clinically obese patients with or without obesity risk factors of high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.
Known as a lipase inhibitor, Xenical acts by blocking the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat in the gastrointestinal tract.
ADVERTISEMENT Because fat is calorically dense, the decrease in fat absorption contributes to a decrease in caloric intake.
However, if you fall off your diet wagon by consuming a meal high in fat, you can expect some of those notorious and potentially embarrassing GI effects: bloating, flatulence with discharge, oily spotting and fecal urgency.
Not everybody's happy about this potential RX to OTC switchover.
Though Alli will be hailed and touted as weight-loss agent, clinical trials demonstrate only a meager 5 percent to 10 percent weight-loss potential per year -- and that's under the best circumstances -- that is, along with appropriate diet and regular exercise.
However, the best potential for this drug is in the significant reductions in total and LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose and insulin levels that can be attained.
The results are encouraging because even modest weight loss tends to improve glucose and cholesterol levels.
Though Alli may not be the answer for everyone, if taken properly along with a balanced diet and exercise, it can potentially provide benefits well beyond the drop of a few pounds.
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