With the ongoing popularity of weight-loss pills and supplements, you have a lot of information to sift through to discover which ones are truly effective. Stuffing orlistat may provide short-term results, but can burn existing fat?
Orlistat is a weight loss medication that blocks the absorption of fat from the diet. It works by preventing the enzyme from breaking down triglycerides in the intestine, which reduces the amount of calories absorbed. Orlistat is only meant to be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise program – it’s not a magic pill that will make you skinny overnight.
Does orlistat burn fat on your body if you take it before your meal? Let’s take a look at everything you need to know if you are considering this product.
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What is Orlistat?
Orlistat is a weight loss drug used in conjunction with a diet low in fat and calories.
It is a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor that blocks the absorption of about one-third of the fat from a meal. This makes it easier for your body to burn off the fat.
How does Orlistat work?
Orlistat is used along with a reduced-calorie diet to help you lose weight and keep it off. It works by reducing the amount of calories your body absorbs from the food you eat.
Again, when you eat foods that contain fat, they’re broken down into smaller parts called fatty acids in your digestive tract. Orlistat blocks some of these fatty acids from being absorbed by your body. As a result, you absorb fewer calories and lose weight.
Does Orlistat Burn Existing Fat?
Orlistat, the active ingredient in Alli, Xenical and other weight loss drugs, blocks a portion of the fat you eat from being absorbed by your body. Because it can’t be absorbed, it passes through your system and is eventually excreted.
Also, orlistat does not burn existing fat. To burn existing fat, go on a diet and do exercise. Orlistat is used to help people lose weight by restricting calories from fat and cholesterol intake.
It also helps reduce the absorption of fat in the intestine and thereby prevents fat from being released into the blood stream as triglycerides
How to Take Orlistat?
Take this medicine by mouth with food as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily before meals; or as directed by your doctor if you are using this medicine without food. Swallow this medicine whole; do not chew, crush, or divide it.
Again, if you have trouble swallowing the tablet whole, ask your pharmacist for advice on how to safely take this medicine without chewing it. Don’t take more than 120 mg of orlistat per day unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
How Long Does It Take for Orlistat to Kick In?
You’ll probably start noticing results within the first week of taking Orlistat, but it can take up to 12 weeks before you see significant changes in your weight. That’s because it can take that long for your body to adjust to your new diet and lifestyle.
The best way to tell if Orlistat is working for you is by keeping a food diary and monitoring your progress over time. You should also keep track of how many calories you’re eating each day and how many calories are left over after taking them into account when calculating how much weight you’ve lost
When Do You Take Orlistat?
Orlistat is best taken with food, so that it is less likely to cause side effects such as stomach aches and diarrhoea. You can also take it 1 hour after a meal. The medicine works best if taken with meals that have a high fat content.
Taking Orlistat with meals that are low in fat may decrease the effectiveness of this medication.
Additionally, you should continue taking Orlistat for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Important Don’t stop taking Orlistat without talking to your doctor first. If you stop taking it suddenly, your weight may increase rapidly in a few weeks or months a
How Much Weight Can I Lose in a Week With Orlistat?
Weight loss with orlistat can be very variable, but some studies have shown that orlistat can produce a weight loss of about 4 to 9 pounds during the first 4-6 months of treatment. This is usually followed by a plateau, in which patients maintain their weight loss for another 6 months or so.
Does Orlistat Work Without Exercise?
Unfortunately, there are no good studies that have looked at this question. But there are some clues; Orlistat increases your “thermic effect” by about 30%. This means that you burn more calories just by taking the drug than you would otherwise.
That’s because it reduces how much fat your body absorbs from food, which means fewer calories go into your body. You can see this effect on your own by measuring your resting metabolic rate (RMR) before starting orlistat and then again after starting the drug (make sure to take measurements at exactly the same time of day each time).
Moreover, if there is an increase in RMR then this means that you’re burning more calories simply from taking orlistat (assuming no change in diet or activity level). Orlistat works best when combined with a weight-reducing diet and exercise
How Do You Know Orlistat Is Working?
The following are some ways to know that orlistat is working:
- You will notice increased bowel movements and flatulence.
- Your weight loss should be gradual rather than sudden as this indicates that your body is adapting well to the drug and its dosage.
Xenical, Alli and Orlistat-Do They Work The Same Way?
Orlistat, Xenical and Alli are all weight-loss medications that work by blocking the absorption of fat from food. Orlistat is available over-the-counter as a capsule or tablet and is marketed under the name Alli; Xenical is available only with a prescription.
Orlistat, Alli and Xenical Side Effects
The most common side effect associated with orlistat is oily spotting. This occurs when you eat fatty foods, which causes the medication to bind with the fat in your intestines before it can be absorbed into your body.
As a result, some of this fat will pass through your stool instead of staying inside you. This can cause diarrhea or oily stools that may look like oil spills on your underwear or toilet paper after using the bathroom. You may also experience gas and cramps if you consume too much fat while taking this drug.
If you notice that you’re having many bowel movements each day or more than usual, consult your doctor because this could indicate a serious problem such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Other possible side effects include;
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn
- Insomnia
- Nausea
Conclusion
The take home message is that Orlistat does not burn existing fat. Rather, it reduces the amount of fat that you ingest, which in turn prevents some fats from entering your body and being stored as fat. To burn existing fat, we recommend exercise such as crunches, HIIT, and cardio.
SOURCES
Does Orlistat burn existing fat?
https://www.quora.com/Does-Orlistat-burn-existing-fat
Alli weight-loss pill: Does it work?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/alli/art-20047908
Alli: Everything You Need to Know
https://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/alli-orlistat-for-weight-loss
Weight Loss: Diet, Exercise, or Orlistat?
https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/weight-loss-diet-exercise-or-orlistat
Orlistat: Can This Weight-Loss Pill Really Help You Lose Weight?
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a19973948/orlistat/
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