Having reviewed the scientific literature and  consumer testimonials and reviews given on independent weight- loss forum sites; I argue that there are far more effective weight loss aids available than alli; that are effective without side-effects and will give you much greater weight loss lbs. for £, than alli.

Double Blind Placebo Controlled Tested?

When reviewing and comparing the effectiveness of the vast number of diet pills and aids on the market; my first criterion in judging whether the reports of effectiveness can be trusted is whether the pill has been double-blind placebo control tested.

If a study does not include a placebo; the results cannot be trusted, as it has been shown that the placebo effect can have quite a significant effect on weight loss by itself.

Alli satisfies this first criterion in that it has been shown in placebo-controlled studies to increase weight loss.

Alli was tested on a group of mildly to moderately overweight people as part of a diet and exercise plan.

Those taking Alli lost an average of 10 1/2 pounds over the 16 weeks of the study, as opposed to an average of little less than 7 pounds for the placebo group.

The advertising literature says that you can lose 50% more with Alli than you would by diet alone — they get this figure from that research. But remember that that number is an average, and the study only lasted 16 weeks.

What Is Alli?
 
The Alli diet pill (pronounced AL-lye) is an over-the-counter version of a medication called Orlistat or Xenical, previously available only by prescription. It is the first over-the-counter weight-loss medication to be approved by the FDA. It costs about $1.50 to $2 per day (3 pills per day).

How Does Alli Work?
 
Alli blocks part of the fat in the food eaten in a meal. That fat is eliminated in the faeces instead of being absorbed to be used by the body. The literature says it blocks about 25% of the fat eaten in a meal.

What Are Some of the Problems With Alli?

“Treatment Effects“ – Note that these are not called “side effects,” because they are more or less the intended effects of taking Alli.

Basically, if you eat too much fat at a meal, you will be pretty uncomfortable. The exact amount of fat that will trigger these effects varies per person, but it is recommended to eat no more than 15 grams of fat per meal. Treatment effects include:

Gas with oily spotting (it is advised not to “pass gas” unless you are on the toilet)

loose stools

more frequent stools that may be hard to control (“Until you have a sense of any treatment effects, it’s probably a smart idea to wear dark pants, and bring a change of clothes with you to work.”)

Alli user’s share cautionary tales:

Those who have strayed from the ’15g of fat per meal’ rule offer cautionary tales on the drug company’s Web site.

“(I)’ve pooped my pants 3 times today and sorry to get descriptive but it even leaked onto the couch at one point!” writes one user.

“(Y)a know how when you start moving around in the morning ya pass a little gas. Well, I did and then went into the bathroom and to my horror I had an orange river of grease running down my leg.”

“I’m thinking that infant diapers might be a cheaper way to go, just use them as a large pad.”

Side-Effects?

The US Food and Drug Administration have received more than 30 reports linking the drug to serious liver injury.

Alli may Not Provide Adequate Dietary Fat Levels for Absorbing Important Fat-Soluble Vitamins and Nutrients

Combining a low fat diet, which you must do with alli – to prevent ‘treatment effects’, with a fat binder will lead to quite low levels of fat in the diet.

However, many vitamins are fat soluble and can be flushed out along with the fat.

Also, many phyto-nutrients, which offer antioxidant, anti- viral, anti- bacterial, anti- inflammatory and cell reparative benefits, also need fat to be absorbed, so people taking alli may be getting less of these valuable substances as well.

Alli Does Nothing to Prevent You From Replacing Highly Energy-Dense Fatty Foods with Highly Energy- Dense Carbohydrate Foods

Also, the alli pill cannot prevent you from merely replacing your energy-dense high fat snacks with energy-dense high carbohydrate snacks, which can be just as calorific and ‘fattening’. Although, it is hard to reach the highly fattening levels of very high fat foods, such as kebabs and Kormas, dry carbohydrate foods can still rival many fat containing foods, in terms of providing a lot of calories for little appetite suppression.

Alli – Ineffective Motivational Tool for Long -Term Weight Loss Success

There is no doubt that reducing the fat content in the diet is an effective weight loss tool, as fat is less satiating than carbohydrates or protein, and it is easier to over-consume calories from high fat foods.

However, alli merely serves as a motivational tool, ‘scaring’ you into not eating high fat foods, in the fear of public ‘pooping’.

However, considering the cost of the ‘alli’ supplement, (a 20-day supply of Alli costs about $45 to $55); it would be far more prudent tofind ways of motivating oneself. (like reminding oneself of how great you will look in a bikini).

The other strategy of attack is to find ways of preparing your favourite meals, using low-fat methods, which don’t compromise on flavour; such as using strongly flavoured cheese, which allows you to use less.

Also of importance is; choosing low energy dense foods to fill yourself up; such as soups and fruit and milk- based desserts; thus enabling you to more easily say no to the more tempting fatty foods.

However; I personally find that many meals have no low fat substitute; for example; I like to have butter on my toast with my eggs and I prefer my mashed potatoes with butter.

Sometimes; I don’t have the time, the energy, the facilities to prepare or the available option of a low fat substitute.

There are times when only the full fat real thing will do. 

Happily; there is a supplement which can bind fat (as alli does); but it is effective without ‘treatment effects’.

Rather than serving as a motivational tool – preventing over eating fat through fear of ‘public pooping’; it acts as a damage limitation tool; preventing you from absorbing a significant proportion of your dietary fat and thus preventing you from taking in those extra calories which would have been provided by the fat.

It is the dream ‘diet pill’ – allowing you to literally ‘ have your cake and eat it’!

The supplement is called ‘Proactol’

The first question I had to ask, when evaluating this product was, are there double blind placebo controlled studies to prove its effectiveness.
I was pleased to discover that there are.

Double Blind Placebo Controlled Studies to Prove Effectiveness

Proactol’s active ingredients were put to the test in a recent ‘double blind placebo controlled cross over study. The quantity of fat excreted compared to the quantity ingested increased, on average, by 27.4% in the group of volunteers taking Proactol™’s active ingredient, compared to those taking the placebo.

It is also medically backed by the Medical Device Directive 93/42/EEC and is;

100% organically made has no known negative side-effects. And is clinically proven to;

 
Reduce your daily fat consumption by up to 28%

 
Suppress your appetite and food cravings

 
Cut your calorie intake by 150 calories per main meal

 
Increase joint flexibility and energy levels

 
Lower blood cholesterol levels

Numerous Positive Consumer Testimonials on the Proactol Website, with ‘Before and After’ Pictures.

Testimonials can’t always be trusted, but their credibility increases where there are a greater number of original and authentic sounding reviews, combined with ‘Before and After’ pictures. Proactols website offers a superior portfolio of testimonials, in terms of numbers and ‘Before and after’ pictures. It also gives evidence of success stories, which have been reported in the press and which cannot be fabricated. Further evidence of its effectiveness is the fact that it has been voted in the Telegraph, by slimmer’s and dieticians – for the second year running – as being one of the top 5 ways to lose weight and diet.

You can read more about Proactol or purchase the product, to try it for yourself; at Proactol Website” target=”_blank”>Proactol’s official  website;