Orlistat

Orlistat is a pharmaceutically produced medical drug used for the treatment of obesity. It is not natural or herbal but is made up of pharmaceutically produced chemicals. It works as a fat binder and has been marketed under the brand name Xenical by the pharmaceutical company Hoffman-La Roche, and alli by the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline. Xenical is only available on prescription from your GP as it contains a high dose of Orlistat - 120mg - and should only be taken under doctor supervision. In 2007, the FDA approved the over-the-counter sale of alli, which contains a lower dose of Orlistat - 60mg.

How It Works

Orlistat works by works in your digestive system by blocking up to 30% of your fat intake from being digested. In your digestive system you have enzymes called lipases which help to break down fat. When taken with meals, Orlistat attaches to the lipases and stops them from breaking down some of the fat you have eaten. The undigested fats pass through your system naturally, and are eliminated in your bowel movements.

Side-effects

The undigested fats have led to some unpleasant side-effects which are gastrointestinal-related, including steatorrhea (oily, sometimes orange coloured, loose stools), fecal incontinence, frequent or urgent bowel movements and flatulence.

Alternatives to Orlistat (Xenical and alli)

An effective herbal alternative to Orlistat is Proactol. It is a certified medical device with the CE stamp of approval and it works in a very similar way to Xenical by binding with up to 28% of fat intake. Proactol has the additional benefit of also acting as an appetite suppressant and it has no unpleasant side-effects.

Read full Proactol review