The Obesity Pill: Fat Chance

Today the Food and Drug Administration is expected to decide if the generic prescription drug orlistat, which reduces the bodies ability to absorb fat, is appropriate for over-the-counter (OTC) distribution.

If the FDA approves orlistat for OTC sale, the public will have yet another way to medicate themselves to achieve a result (weight loss) that’s entirely possible to attain safely, without medication.

Worse, while orlistat can cut the body’s fat absorption by about a third, it has some extremely unpleasant side effects—namely (you guessed it!) FLATULENCE; loose, oily bowels; involuntary leakage; and a frequent, urgent need for a bowel movement.

What’s the lesser evil: a few extra pounds that you could work off with relative ease (provided you have the willpower), or serious gastrointestinal insult brought on by an OTC medication that’s allegedly improving your health?

One health expert noted that patients who followed the lowest-fat diets while using the drug were most successful, probably because a healthier regimen is gentler on the GI tract, and reduced the uncomfortable side effects.

Sound familiar? It should, if you’re a regular reader of the Trafon blog. Here’s another of my core concepts, which I urge readers to remember: OTC medications only sedate symptoms; they don’t cure a thing.

Want to lose weight? Here’s the only formula that’s proven to work every time: EAT MUCH HEALTHIER. EXERCISE MORE.

Fix your body by consuming wholesome (preferably organic) foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Keep your diet low in fat. Ramp up the exercise (even a mere 30 minutes of walking a day will do).

This is a sound, proven, painless, and most of all, safe prescription for shedding extra pounds. Contrast that to orlistat, which I fear is merely a prescription for shedding methane, or worse.