In the Battle of the Bulge, Should Alli Be Your Ally?

The new weight loss drug, Alli (pronounced “ally”), may or may not be your friend. GlaxoSmith Kline, the manufacturer, is heavily promoting this over-the-counter drug, which recently won FDA approval. The drug works by preventing the body from absorbing 25 per cent of the fat you eat. When too much fat is consumed at any given meal, unpleasant side effects occur (oily, fluid bowel movements).

The manufacturer has gone to great lengths to surround Alli customers with support: an online personalized consulting program, information and education, computerized daily journaling tools, and even advice on food consumption and exercise.

Ironically enough, the recommended behavioral changes (eating smaller portions, reducing fat intake, exercising regularly, keeping track of food consumption and so on) naturally result in weight loss. And if people can make all of these changes, why would they need Alli? And if they can’t make these changes, aren’t the drug benefits marginal? And the side effects awful?

Yet for some of us, the drug may prove to be the little boost we need. To find out if the drug is right for you, go to http://www.myalli.com/whatisalli.aspx. I took the test and recommitted to working on fitness the old-fashioned (and less expensive) way. My program: I’m going to pay attention to what I eat and exercise regularly—amazingly enough, exactly what GlaxoSmith Klein recommends.