Any Real benefits to the new over the counter diet pill?

With statistics telling us that about 46% of men in England and 32% of women are overweight (a body mass index of 25-30 kg/m2), and an additional 17% of men and 21% of women are obese (a body mass index of more than 30 kg/m2). (UK Obesity statistics) – We clearly have a problem.

But should we really be relying on something that is unnatural for our bodies to perform?

Shouldn’t we be looking into the health benefits of good nutrition for a better quality of life?

With all the excitement about the New over the counter diet pill, Kevin Raison digs deep into the real results this pill may offer.


Who are they and how can the pill work for you?

The company in question is GlaxoSmithKline, who have previously used Orlistat (it’s active ingredient) as a prescription drug under the trade name Xenical. The new over the counter pill named Alli (lesser dosage then the original Orlistat) claims that by taking the pill may increase weight loss by a further 50%!

Meaning for every 2 lbs lost per week, you will lose an extra 1 lb. So if you do the calculations, this could add up to a serious amount of weight being lost.


Here’s how it works

Firstly, you have to qualify before purchasing the over the counter product. This is done by taking the patients Body Mass Index (BMI).

BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in metres squared.

If a BMI of 28 upwards on the scale is recorded within the consultation, the patient is allowed to purchase the product. A BMI of 28 is classed as overweight whilst a BMI of 30 is obese class 1.

The patient is instructed to take one capsule 3 times a day before/during or within 1 hour of their meal.

The capsule then dissolves in the stomach where the active ingredient Orlistat prevents bodyfat from being absorbed in the body by attaching itself onto enzymes that break down fat.

This means that you will excrete about 25% of unabsorbed fat which may cause side effects such as excessive wind, sudden bowel movements, and oily stools if you eat too much fat.

Therefore, patients taking this pill will be advised to eat a low fat ‘healthy’ diet.


Here’s my take on things

I have a personal issue with this kind of solution to weight loss. I say personal because I knew of someone who was advised to take this and had to change this and was forced to stop taking good fats.

We as a nation eat far too much omega 6 (vegetable oils) and no where near enough omega 3 (fish oil). One of the key benefits of taking high dosages of quality fish oil is fat loss, as it turns lipogenic genes off (fat storing enzymes) and turns lipolytic genes on (fat burning enzymes).

Along with many other benefits such as lowering blood pressure, increased cardiovascular health, decreased levels of stress, depression, diabetes and countless other benefits. It concerns me that fish oil will be one less thing to be consumed on this recommended low fat ‘healthy’ diet.

This also holds true for fat soluble vitamins/antioxidants such as vitamins A, D, E and K.


Solution

If you walk through a door frame and your belly is entering the room before you are, then chances are you’re insulin resistant. Therefore, it’s no just the fat you should be looking at changing; you need to look at your carbohydrate intake.

Write down what you eat throughout the day. Ask yourself would you have been eating that 10,000 or more years ago. If the answers NO, then don’t eat it.

Limit your carbohydrates to fibrous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflowers, kale, spinach etc.

Increase your fat intake with fats such as fish oil (pharmaceutical grade – not that cheap nasty stuff from the high streets), coconut oil and good quality DPO extra virgin olive oils.

Cook only with Coconut oil and use olive oils as dressings.

Take fish oil with every meal.

Eat protein with every meal (meat, fish, poultry, eggs)

Never combine carbohydrates with fats (ie muffins, cakes, chips, crisps, biscuits) – all these contain trans fats and simple sugars making you fat and sick!

Lastly....exercise! I don't care what you do for the moment as long as it involves lifting weights!




Conclusion

As usual, if something sounds too good to be true it usually is, and this (in my opinion) is no different.

Although, patients are being advised to stick to a low fat diet. They probably have no idea what they should be eating so will continue to eat sugary high glycemic foods which are making them fat in the first place.

The government along with most nutritionists and dietitans need to come out of their BOD POD and stop telling people to eat less fat. We need to tell people to eat less bad fat and re educate them to what’s good and bad.

We need to stop thinking that 2 bowls of your favourite cereal is healthy, where it’s actually causing us more harm than good.

For more information on how you can achieve your perfect weight and increase your knowledge on what foods to eat. You can sign up for our 6 week weight Management Course at The Holiday Inn, Birmingham – Bomsgrove B61 9AB. UK

Courses run every 6 weeks and cost only £99

For more information contact Kevin at Kevin@kevinraison.co.uk or call on us 0871 662 9848

In Health

Kevin Raison

Raising Awareness In Standards Of Nutrition & Exercise

www.kevinraison.co.uk

www.kickstartbootcamp.co.uk