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Risks of the Alli Weight Loss Supplement

Alli weight loss supplement is the first over-the-counter weight loss aid approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to the FDA's website. This supplement works with the digestive system without affecting the heart and brain. More than 100 clinical trials studied the effects of Alli's active ingredient Orlistat on more than 30,000 patients, finding it safe and effective. The risks associated with Alli weight loss supplements include indigestion and poor vitamin absorption.

  1. How Alli® Works

    • The weight loss plan includes capsules and myalliplan, an individualized program complete with an action plan that helps you slowly lose weight. GlaxoSmithKline has designed this program to change your relationship with food. Your body doesn't absorb a quarter of the fat in your diet when you take the Alli weight loss supplement; it exits the body instead through the digestive system. The diet encourages you to eat a low fat, reduced calorie diet. You lose weight by combining your meal plan, tracking your weight loss online and increasing physical activity. Risks associated with this weight loss supplement increase if you don't follow your meal plan or if you have health conditions.

    Bowl Changes

    • Your bowels change when you begin taking Alli. A Mayo Clinic staff writer says these changes include an oily discharge with gas, diarrhea, and frequent and uncontrollable bowl movements. Your bowls change because the pill causes undigested fat to pass through the digestive system. To prevent digestive problems, you have to eat a low fat diet on the plan. Bring a change of pants when you begin taking supplements in case you have an accident.

    Vitamin Deficiencies

    • Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat soluble vitamins stored in the liver and fatty tissue as reserves for later use. The active ingredient in Alli, Orlistat, decreases your body's ability to absorb fat soluble vitamins, lpotentially leading to deficiencies. The active ingredient blocks healthy fats like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well as harmful fats. The Mayo Clinic's website says you can prevent vitamin deficiencies by taking a multivitamin at a different time of day from when you take your Alli supplement.

    Medications and Health Conditions

    • Alli poses risks for people taking certain medications and health conditions. You can't take Alli if you've had an organ transplant, suffer from diabetes or thyroid disease, and take blood thinners and cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant used for organ transplant patients, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

    How Effective

    • Studies show that most people who loss weight using supplements regain their weight. You don't experience rapid weight loss from taking Alli, so a healthy diet and regular exercise are just as effective for permanent weight loss.

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