Is Alli Safe Because It’s FDA Approved?
What is Alli?
Alli is an over the counter form of the prescription fat blocker Xenical. It used a smaller dosage of the ingredient known as Orlistat, and they sell in drugstores across America. They claim that with serious behavior modification and dedication, you can lose up to 50% more weight with Alli than diet and exercise alone. They use fat blocking mechanisms, asking you to severely limit your fat intake of both good and bad fats, and some have reported that fat soluble vitamins tend to asborb poorly when using this method. However, they claim that Alli is the only safe option and the only effective option on the over the counter market, actually using half of the amounts used in clinical studies of Orlistat as well as the prescription Xenical, which obviously uses Orlistat in general.
History of Alli
Alli was approved by the FDA panel with one vote separating them on January 23, 2006. So the margin was narrow. They approved their advertising, and it was considered to be a safe alternative. Since then, it has been promoted by various celebrities and individuals, again as a product that will help you when and if you are ready. But they have kept their advertising very tame, even claiming that it’s not for everybody, which is not typical of a diet pill for obvious reasons. They have actually been forced to change their advertising due to breaches of code we believe with the FDA and their requirements. But there have been numerous customer reports about Alli and its acutal safety in terms of your social life and other factors, because of course many believe the FDA related claims and ultimately choose Alli over common sense.
Benefits
Alli does lower cholesterol and risk of type 2 diabetes with extended use. However, it does not really promote much weight loss. The average participant in studies used the prescription dose, not the Alli dose, and about 70% lost 5-10% of their body mass, not necessarily in fat over the space of a year, while the rest did not lose any weight at all. Those that did lose weight gained it back after they went off Orlistat. Unfortunately, you could lose more than 5 to 10% of your body weight with diet and exercise alone.
Side Effects
While more severe side effects have been reported with Xenical, very particular side effects have been reported with Alli. They include anal leakage, extreme diarrhea, sudden defecation, the need for adult diapers and dark pants, gas, bloating, vitamin deficiencies, etc. With the exception of vitamin deficiencies, they say that all the side effects keep you honest and are completely avoidable. However, you would have to go on a no fat diet.
Conclusion
Alli is not really a powerful weight loss product, which is why all the people promoting it are still as overweight as they ever were. Even with higher doses than used by Alli, you see only small results that you could beat with diet and exercise alone. With all the stipulations and nasty side effects, it is certainly not safe or desirable.
Have You Used Alli? Rate Your Experience For Future Consumers!
Based on
307 Votes
Unedited Alli Customer Feedback
----- Original Message -----
Product: alli
“not a great product. i\'m still the same weight.”
By: James — 11/20/2009 @ 12:59 PM
----- Original Message -----
Product: Alli
“used this product for a week and for that week I felt crappy.....I guess I wanted so desperately to be thin..I did NOT consult doctor first..How many people do!!! Well on the seventh day I passed out twice..That was it....I would rather have my live than die trying to be thin!!!!!DO NOT USE THIS product ..It is NOT safe!!!!Even if many reviews say it is...It is not!!!!!!!!!!!!”
By: Barb Lanzel — 02/08/2010 @ 10:09 AM
----- Original Message -----
Product: Alli
“~Don\'t use just eat healthy~Because it is FDA approved does NOT mean it is SAFE!”
By: Barb — 02/24/2010 @ 07:08 AM
----- Original Message -----
Product: Alli
“This is just a scam affiliate site. Product doesn\\\'t work at all.”
By: mike — 03/24/2010 @ 6:34 PM
----- Original Message -----
Product: Alli
“Alli did absolutely nothing to help me loose weight! I had been dieting for a few weeks prior to taking it and was losing a couple pounds a week. On Alli I lost the exact same weight and once I finished the starter pack and decided not to waste anymore money buying more, I continued to lose the same weight. My advice is don\\\'t waste your money on diet pills, just eat low calories and exercise.”
By: Cassie — 04/05/2010 @ 10:42 PM
----- Original Message -----
Product: alli
“i have been using alli and i like it so far but i do go to the restroom often.”
By: carol campbell — 04/19/2010 @ 1:03 PM
----- Original Message -----
Product: Alli
“alli is a crock of crap. I have no idea who these women are that are losing \\\"19 pounds in 5 weeks\\\". My ever-increasing ass. I have stuck to this Alli plan for months and months now-I followed the directions for use perfectly, changed my diet safely and made it very healthy, exercised 7 days a week (and not just 15 min of walking). I have lost 3 pounds in 4.5 months. whoop a dee fricken doo. I didnt expect a 45 pound loss right away but 3 lbs!? Even without the pill I should be losing more than that. I\\\'m frustrated. And now stepped on the same scale this morning and have gained one of those 3 lbs back?? I know water weight and such...but its so unbelievably frustrating.”
By: bridgit — 05/03/2010 @ 4:52 PM
----- Original Message -----
Product: alli
“alli works great for me. i lost 13 pound in 6 weeks, just with low fat diet and alli... no ejercise. the side efects are no too bad. of course you have to do a diet and take alli just like a litle help...”
By: Lee — 05/06/2010 @ 11:07 PM
----- Original Message -----
Product: Allie
“I don\\\'t know what everyone is slamming Alli for... I\\\'ve been on it for almost three weeks and have had great results. But then again I don\\\'t sit around eating burgers and fries, popping the pills and expecting to still lose weight and not have side effects.rnrnAs stated it\\\' not for everyone. It\\\'s not a quick fix for someone who doesn\\\'t want to change their behaviour and their lives..for real! I work out 4-6 days a week, I cut back on my fat intake (as required for the pills to work) for for my efforts my clothes are looser, I\\\'m less hungry and I feel great. Most importantly I feel hopeful for the first time in years that I can actually get this weight off and keep it off.rnrnAlli is a tool but the user has to be real force behind n=making the tool work properly and effectively.rnrnI say try it out..if you use it correctly you have nothing but weight to lose and won\\\'t have to go on some crazy fad diet to get there!”
By: LN — 05/07/2010 @ 2:17 PM
----- Original Message -----
Product: alli
“i lost 56 lbs with alli. if u follow up with a good diet and gym 4 times a week. thanks alli!!!”
By: wimel berroa — 05/09/2010 @ 4:12 PM
----- Original Message -----
Product: alli
“after 3 months i am loosing my hair, not only weight. I don\\\'t know what to do th get my health back.”
By: tanyao — 05/19/2010 @ 3:15 PM
----- Original Message -----
Product: Alli
“Alli worked for me very well. I lost 25 lbs. in 3 months and have kept the weight off for 2 years. I recently gained a few lbs back due to some emotional eating and am going back on the pills to keep myself in check. It is what it is: a pill to keep you in check. If you are like me (absolutely no self control when it comes to comfort foods and sweets) then this is the diet for you. You have to retrian yourself to eat properly and this pill forces you to eat properly. If you don\'t, well then you know what to expect. I don\'t have accidents because I meticulously choose my foods and this pill forces me to read labels and learn how to eat. After three months of taking the pills it created an awareness in my house that was not there before. My husband and daughter regularly read labels now and we are all amazed at how much fat is in the foods we commonly ate. We have eliminated and replaced foods from our diet altogether. It also challenged my husband to make lowfat yummy foods. The pills are great - I think they work wonderfully. I will continue to use them. I did have a friend that they didn\'t work for but she wasn\'t willing to read the materials and follow the rules. I think it was more user error than anything.”
By: Angela — 06/08/2010 @ 10:34 PM
----- Original Message -----
Product: Alli
“I don\\\'t know why everyone is dissatisfied with Alli. I had been on a low fat diet for several weeks with no weight loss. I was so frustrated I decided to try adding Alli. I have lost two pounds in four days! I am super excited about this product. I have even eaten twice the fat grams allowed for one meal and a little more than allowed for a couple of others with NO treatment effects so far. I have not even gone to the restroom more often. I love it so far, but I will report back in a few weeks if it is still working. SUPER EXCITED SO FAR!”
By: Randi — 06/09/2010 @ 08:39 AM
----- Original Message -----
Product: Alli
“I tried Alli two years ago and I lost 8 lbs in one month and kept them off for nearly a year. I am 5ft and weighed 135 lbs at the beginning of the month. The 8 lbs came off, by just counting calories (no specific diet), and no exercise. After a baby, I gained them all back of course. So here I am, two years later, taking them again. I am counting calories but not as precise as before. I have lost 3 lbs in 3 weeks. Not much weight loss. But a lot more than I had been able to lose in the past months alone. Alli works with diet and exercise. If you follow the plan without the pills, you definitely WILL lose weight, but the pills help you lose a little more. Oh, and as of the \"side-effects\", I have never experienced them, only that I am now more \"regular\" than ever. I recommend them only to people that will take the plan seriously. Good Luck!”
By: Bree — 06/16/2010 @ 5:21 PM
----- Original Message -----
Product: alli
“I have been using alli for 3 days now. I\'m 5\'7 and weigh 194. This morning I stepped on the scales and weighed 187! That\'s 7 pounds in 3 days! I know it is probably water weight but I couldn\'t be happier or more motivated right now. Without the fear of \"treatment affects\" I wouldn\'t have been eating healthy these past 3 days. So far I had bad gas the first day but had no bad smell. Anything coming out has been firm and healthy looking also without a odor. Probably because I\'ve been eating lots of fruit and veggies instead of fat and sugar. This pill is amazing if you follow the rules given. Don\'t consume more than 15grams of fat per meal, take the pill & a multi-vitamin and get off the couch. I am a mother of 2 and a server so in order for me to buy these pills again I need to be very impressed & I am. I have a alli change jar I contribute to every day for my next bottle. I will recomend this to all my freinds and family looking to loose weight.”
By: Jesica — 06/25/2010 @ 09:53 AM
----- Original Message -----
Product: alli
“I have been taking Alli for about a week while choosing healthy foods and light exercise- no weight loss so far. But I do understand it can take a couple of weeks and probably should watch what I eat closer. It does push that is only HELPS you loose weight WITH diet and exercise. okay this is gross, but i have seen lots of fat come out. I don\'t care what anyone else says, I am thrilled that that fat didn\'t stay in my body. I am hopeful because of this and i have several friends who have tried it and lost weight with it\'s help. I do not make me feel bad, which is rare for me. I do use the bathroom more, but it is not uncontrolled.”
By: Rae — 06/28/2010 @ 2:16 PM
----- Original Message -----
Product: Alli
“I started a lowfat diet on a Wednesday and began taking Alli on Sunday. I was 191 lbs. A week after taking Alli, I dropped to 187 lbs for a total weight loss of 4 pounds. Admittedly, some may be water weight so I will reserve judgement until the second week. I have maintained a strictly low fat diet and have experienced no treatment effects. In fact, Alli so far has improved my BMs. I used to go every 2 days. But now I go every morning. Thumbs up for now!”
By: Ivy — 07/04/2010 @ 7:49 PM
----- Original Message -----
Product: Alli
“I used this product a few years ago. While I did lose about 10lbs, I had constant cramping and had to remain near a bathroom. The best part of the program was the items you could earn by reaching goals & the recipes online!rnrnI have since converted to a more well-rounded diet with tracking and maintaining goals for calories, protein, fat & carbs, along with an exercise program & I have lost a total of 30lbs in a matter of months!”
By: Lori — 07/19/2010 @ 9:16 PM
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