A New Diet Pill
Posted May 24, 1999
On April 26, 1999, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved the use of a new pill to help combat weight loss -- Xenical. This is the brand name of a
prescription medication called olestat.
Xenical is the first fat-fighting medication that actually alters the way the body absorbs fat. In the past, diet pills have relied on appetite suppressants, which
are chemicals that target the brain to make the user less hungry. In contrast, Xenical blocks certain enzymes in a person's digestive system to stop the body from absorbing 30 percent
of all fat.
Health and nutrition experts have warned that Xenical should only be used by people with serious weight problems, not just someone who wants to drop 5 or 10 pounds.
Ultimately, Xenical will only be effective in a proper diet and nutrition program. It is not a green light for people to gobble up all the fatty foods they can. As Dr. David Heber, director
of the Center for Human Nutrition in Los Angeles, points out, "there's no pill people can take that'll make you close the refrigerator door."
Many people are apprehensive about using Xenical because of some minor, unpleasant side effects. Because the fat is no longer absorbed, it will be passed through
your digestive system. This can cause abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems. While not serious, these symptoms are enough to make people shy away from the
drug.
Similar symptoms are associated with the fat substitute olestra, which is not digested and passed through the system. Olestra is made up of many fat molecules strung
together so long that the body is unable to digest them.
Another side effect associated with Xenical is that the substance will slow the absorption of necessary fat-soluble vitamins (e.g., vitamins A and K). For patients
using Xenical, it is recommended that they take vitamin supplements to absorb the necessary amounts.
Nutritionists also fear there will be danger of people using Xenical in conjunction with other appetite suppressants. The FDA has not yet conducted studies on the
safety of mixing such drugs.
Activity
Use the Internet to research various weight-loss programs. Evaluate them on their levels of health, reliability, and feasibility.
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