A prescription diet drug will soon be available over the counter for the first time. The FDA has approved a non-prescription version of GlaxoSmithKline's orlistat, which will be sold under the name "alli".
The medication prevents about 25 percent of dietary fat from being absorbed by the intestines. It's will be sold starting in June and for about $50 for a bottle of 90 capsules.
Side effects of alli can include loose stools and other digestive problems. Those who use the pill are advised to follow a reduced-fat diet and take a daily multivitamin because of reduced absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K and beta-carotene.
Alli is likely to bring in between $150 and $200 million in annual sales, and could bring in as much as $300 million.
What I've been warning about since 2005 has finally happened: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a diet drug to be sold over-the-counter. The drug reportedly increases weight loss by 50 percent.
However, Xenical, after which alli is modeled, has been found to cause abnormal cell growth in the lining of the colon, an early cancer indicator, along with kidney stones.
Taking this drug also perpetuates the low-fat myth since it is designed to be taken with a low-fat diet. Anyone who is familiar with this site knows that a low-fat diet, though useful for some, is not the answer to weight loss for the majority of people.
Sugars and grains--not fat--are often the culprits behind obesity. Of course, inactivity is another major part of the problem.
If you have a better understanding of your nutritional type you will be able to figure out what kind of diet you should be eating for good health and help you achieve your optimal weight. Determining your nutritional type is detailed in my new book Take Control of Your Health which I hope to have available in the next 8 weeks.
What's more, blocking fat absorption to lose weight could have any number of unknown consequences, and taking any pill to lose weight is simply not the panacea everyone's hoping for. What is, however, is eating foods for your nutritional type, setting aside time to exercise regularly, and overcoming any emotional challenges that may be contributing to weight gain.
Not to mention that the myth of fat consumption leading to weight gain is just that -- a myth. While you should avoid trans fats and reduce the omega-6 fats which have overtaken and unbalanced the modern diet, good, healthy fats are actually an important part of the diet and crucial for good health.
As reader Rachel from Fullerton, California points out on Vital Votes:
"Since when does eating fat make a person fat? I lost 50 pregnancy pounds, not once, not twice, but THREE times after three wonderful pregnancies, thanks in part by consuming lots of good, healthful, fats!"
Rachel's comment is especially appropriate for Protein types. However if you are a carb type, fat indeed has the potential to make you fat. Of course no one, including protein types, should consume bad fat, like trans fat.
Other responses to this article can be viewed at Vital Votes, and you can add your own thoughts or vote on comments by first registering at Vital Votes.