 |
 |
Diet pill called wonder drug
E-mail this article | Print this page
By Nick Spinetto
Fort Myers - A new diet drug is hitting local stores.
It's called Alli.
It's the only diet pill approved by the federal government for sale over the counter.
Unlike other over the counter diet drugs, Alli doesn't promise to do the work for you, but along with diet and exercise it promises more weight loss.
Xenadrine, Hydroxycut, and other diet drugs sell the promise of a dream body in a bottle, but...
"I don't think they're healthy for you at all," said one dieter in Fort Myers
Their claims aren't FDA approved.
Only one has that distinction and it's selling at almost every drug or nutritional store in Southwest Florida.
The wonder drug as some call it makes some pretty strong claims: almost double the weight loss than regular diet and exercise alone.
But there's a catch.
"If you think you can have your burger and fries and then take this medication, the gastrointestinal side effects would be just devastating," said nutritionist Geri Brewster
This is because Alli works by keeping the body from absorbing fat.
So eating too much fatty food can lead to stomach problems and trips to the bathroom.
Even though it's selling quickly at many stores, the thought of taking a diet pill and the side effects have some saying-- no thanks.
"They're not healthy for you," said another dieter.
And one dieter says you can't beat the old fashion way.
"I lost 10 pounds. I'm doing it the healthy way."
But others still hope Alli is literally the genie in a bottle they've been searching for.
"I've been trying to lose weight now for close to eight months," said dieter Carmela Vega.
We searched stores throughout Southwest Florida and they say sales are starting to rise quickly.
Those purchasing the diet pills say they're just happy to have the choice to use a product that's been proven safe.
Source: WINK TV Southwest FloridaAll rights reserved.