On
the contrary, Orlistat weight loss
acts as a lipase inhibitor that
results to reduced calorie intake by reducing fat absorption in the
digestive tract.
It
is marketed as a weight loss pill
branded Xenical® by Roche Pharmaceutical.
Under
medical supervision, orlistat is used as a weight loss support
structure or adjunct. And just like Caralluma
a diet pill, it is used in a dieting plan. In this
particular case orlistat is supporting your meal planning.
Orlistat Weight Loss
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Dietary fat has twice the amounts of calories that carbohydrate and protein
contain.
A healthy diet is recommended to have about 30% of its
calories from fats.
However due to the presence of fats in most of our
foods, there is a tendency to take in more fat that necessary.
Orlistat
is designed to mitigate this.
When
you eat fats, they will be broken down into simple forms called fatty
acids, which can be absorbed by the body.
The body provides an enzyme
from your pancreas called lipase to breakdown the fat.
Orlistat’s action is to inhibit or incapacitate the enzyme
lipase from breaking down the fat.
If the fat is not broken down, obviously it will be excreted,
it’s calories together with it.
This is proven to reduce the
total body calorie intake resulting to significant weight
loss.
Orlistat
is said to prevent approximately 30% of dietary fat from being
absorbed, with the standard prescription dose of 120mg (one capsule)
three times a day before a meal.
Importantly,
orlistat needs to be used as an adjunct. This means it should be should
be used together with a low calorie diet and preferably weight loss exercise
and behavioral treatment as well. The weight loss diet
should be preferably low in fat; otherwise the side effects of the drug
will be unnecessarily amplified as more fat is excreted.
Since
the drug is well tolerated by the human body and the fact that it does
not need to be absorbed into the body to take effect, it can be used
for as long as two years. Extended periods of use of orlistat depend on
whether it is still effective. This should be decided by your
doctor.
On
the other hand, if orlistat is stopped without dietary changes, and
some lifestyle changes, it can result to weight re-gain.
Side Effects of Orlistat Weight Loss
The main side effects of orlistat have to do
with the digestive tract
where the drug has effect. Because it reduces the amount of fat
digested, the stool will become oily and/or loose. There is increased
flatulence and at time on oily discharge with it. You get to visit the
toilet more frequently and at times these visits tend to be
urgent.
Generally
to reduce these side effects you need to eat meals with low fat
content. The side effects are greatest in the first year of treatment,
particularly before you learn how to control your dietary fat.
There
are some claims that orlistat increases the risk of breast cancer. It
is also has been associated with an increased risk of colon cancer.
This however does not mean you will necessarily get cancer if you take
the drug.
Other
less common side effect includes headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea
among others.
Orlistat
was approved in 1999 as an anorexic (obesity drug) in the U.S. And like
all anorexics, it is mainly to be prescribed to the obese and
overweight not responding to plain diet, exercise and behavioral
treatment. This means to use the drug you need to have a BMI of 30 and
over or a BMI of 27 with obesity related diseases like diabetes and
hypertension.
Due
to its effect on fat, you are strongly recommended to supplement your
diet with fat soluble vitamins i.e. Vitamin A, D, E and K as well as
Beta Carotene. These essential nutrients are absorbed into the body
using fat (fatty acids). With orlistat reducing digestion and
absorption of fat into the body it automatically reduces the absorption
of these vitamins. Supplementation increases their concentration hence
increasing the amount absorbed.
Keeping
in mind that you can easily get half of your dietary fat needs by
choosing the leanest sources of food, orlistat can be a good support
structure. Since most people use fat for food topping and food
preparation it can help control calories from fat as you learn to make
better food choices.
Support
structures are an integral part of a good plan for losing weight.
Unfortunatelly, weight loss drugs require a doctors prescrition.
A diet supplement like Caralluma
is a
great alternative with similar and at times better results.
However,
if you want to lose alot of body fat; if you want to lose
belly fat
and get a flat stomach or even a six pack, you will need more that a
drug or supplements. You will also need to Go Beyond Calories.
To do this you need two things, just two. These two are...
This
content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new information on weight loss becomes
available. The information is intended for
educational purposes only. Please
consult your healthcare provider before beginning
any kind of weight loss program
