Is it true?  Is there finally a magic pill for weight loss?

On February 7, 2007 the FDA approved an over-the-counter version of Orlistat called Alli. 

Orlistat was approved by the FDA in 1999 as an anti-obesity drug available by prescription only. Alli is offered OTC in a smaller dosage.

Orlistat works by inhibiting pancreatic lipases, which are enzymes that breakdown the fats we digest.  Inhibition of these enzymes will greatly decrease the absorbtion of fat into the body.  The thought is that by decreasing the amount of fat that is absorbed it will also decrease the amount of calories. 

Sounds reasonable as long as you don’t overcompensate by eating more carbohydrates.  Remember also that a drug that inhibits the absorbption of fat will also inhibit the absorption of fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. 

The makers of the drug also recommend that Alli be taken in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet and consistent exercise regimen.  Go figure.

Alli will be available OTC this summer.  Be sure to carefully read the side effects and think…if the fat is not being absorbed in the body, it has to go somewhere.  One of the main sideffects, loose stools, and gas with a discharge might be enough to give a second look at the magic pill.

Check out the illustration by Wellington Grey describing obesity among may countries. 

 http://www.wellingtongrey.net/miscellanea/archive/2007-05-06–world-fatness.html

USA takes the cake of course at a whopping 31% obesity.  Obesity here is defined as a BMI of 30+. 

Of course BMI is not the best measure of body fatness because it doesn’t describe body composition, however, for the population as a whole, it does work since the avaerage American lives a sedentary lifestyle.

Looking at the countries with a smaller percentage of the population being obese I believe physical activity on a daily basis is the key.  The majority of people in those countries get more physical activity in their daily lives. 

After seeing this graphic, we should all go out for a walk, run, swim, bike ride, just be active.