I think by now most people have heard this expression. This is one of the first times a drug has the proper name. Alli is the first Food and Drug Administration approved over-the-counter diet pill. It is fitting that the first over-the-counter diet pill approved by the FDA can make you have out-of-control bowel movements. The FDA is full of it when they say they are the protectors of Americans health.

This drug marketed by GlaxoSmithKline is not new just a repackaged prescription diet pill named Xenical. Ali is a half-dose version of this drug that has been on the market from 1999. The peak sales were in 2000 partly because it did not produce much weight loss results. By making this available over-the-counter they do not need doctor complicity. This is a very good business move.

Surprised? You thought the pill was for your health and well being. What Alli does is reduces the amount of fat the body absorbs from food by 25%. You must reduce the amount of fat you eat because all the unabsorbed fat will leave your system though elimination. One of the side effects is it leaves suddenly, in other words you experience loss of bowel control. That is embarrassing, but the more serious side effects are not talked about.

Alli has some very serious drawbacks. Alli blocks the absorption of certain fat-soluble vitamins. There are essential fats they we do not consume enough of in America. It is dangerous to lower the amount of Omega 3'S and GLA in the diet when the supply is not adequate as it is. Alli blocks the absorption of vitamin D another nutrient the American public is probably short on.

The Consumer group Public Citizen wants a ban on prescription Xenical and Alli because of precancerous colon lesions seen in animals studies. The FDA recommends that all users take a multivitamin in the evening. They are really out there fighting for our welfare. Instead of revoking the approval of the drug Xenical because of its lackluster performance and its side effects, they now let a direct-to-consumer advertising campaign be run by GlaxoSmithKline.

An over-the-counter drug does not have as many controls to see that it is used properly. Remember it is the ?drug? companies along with their partner the FDA that gave us fen-phen, and other risky weight loss protocols. The problem that is not being addressed is that the diet plan that comes with Alli is not a good one. It is again based on the notion that the only way to loss weight is on a low-fat diet. Again this is not a good basis for a healthy lifestyle.

Most of the low-fat advice is from people who think in terms of the American High processed food way of eating. The Alli manufacturer is basing there guidelines, on so called research, on a normal way of dieting. Nothing can be further from the truth. Whole foods are the nutrient dense foods the way nature intended. Any fat that is contained in a whole unprocessed food is intended for your consumption and health. Alli Oops is an Oops by any standard.