Whether you're just seeking to lose a little weight with your diet plan, or you're fighting obesity in a big way, you'll have been interested in the progress being made by the new anti obesity pill, alli. Is it really the answer to all dieters' prayers, or is it just another in a long line of so-called magic cures that fail to deliver?

Developed by major drugs manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline, this pill prevents the absorption of fat by the body, and in trials it helped slimmers lose an average of 10 pounds in six months. Connie DeGeorgio, a 50 year old from Michigan, USA, and who weighed 13 stone before using this pill, lost 4 stone over 18 months.

But then she did combine taking the alli pill with healthy eating and taking regular exercise. In fact she's run a half marathon since starting on the pill, so she's probably not exactly a typical user.

Nevertheless, supporters of the pill claim it really does deliver, and can improve results from following diet plans by up to 50 per cent. If this really is the case, if simply taking this pill once a day is a guaranteed way to lose all those pounds then this has to be the best news for dieters in a very long time.

Let's look a little closer, though, to make sure there are no nasty side effects or drawbacks that cancel out all the positive things we've heard about alli.

We see that it's simply a half-strength version of the prescription- only diet pill Xenical. And there are side-effects. Because the pills prevent the digestive system from absorbing fats, they tend to cause wind and diarrhoea. And because they tend to prevent the absorption of some vitamins, as well as fats, you'll have to take vitamin supplements as well. So more than around GBP1/$1.40 a day, then (the quoted cost of taking these pills).

In Europe, where these pills have only now become available, they will only actually be available to those with a body mass index of 28 and over. Many people with a body mass of as low as 25 still see themselves as fat and wish to lose weight.

In the end, it's up to you. But one thing's certain. You have to adopt and follow a proven diet plan if you really want to slim down to your target weight, whether or not you supplement it with alli pills.

As to which weight loss program is right for you, check out our home page for an independent review of three leading weight loss programs.

Copyright © 2009 Philip Gegan