Table of contents:
- What is a fat blocker supplement?
- Are fat blockers effective in losing weight?
- What are the side effects of fat blockers?
- What ingredients are contained in fat blockers?
- When can orlistat be used?
There are many ways you can do to lose weight. If you are obese and planning to lose weight while you are unable to hold your appetite or are lazy to exercise, one thing you are thinking about may be taking a weight loss supplement to help you lose weight fast.
However, before using it, you should first consult with your doctor so as not to cause dangerous side effects. One more thing, choose a brand that is trusted and registered in the BPOM. Many cases of weight loss drugs have claimed many victims, of course you don't want this to happen to you right. So, you better be careful.
There are many types of weight loss supplements, but this time we will discuss about fat blocker supplements or fat barrier supplements.
What is a fat blocker supplement?
Fat blockers generally contain chitosan, which is the same as dietary fiber, but comes from the shellfish exoskeleton. Like fiber, they pass through the digestive tract without being digested, but absorb fat in the digestive tract to be excreted through feces. Because there is fat in the stool, your stool may appear oily if you take this supplement.
Are fat blockers effective in losing weight?
Several studies have shown that fat blocker supplements are not effective in losing weight. These supplements do not actually block fat absorption or contribute little to weight loss. The only healthy way to lose weight and keep it off is to adopt a healthy diet and do regular exercise.
What are the side effects of fat blockers?
Although using fat blockers may be beneficial for you, they can certainly cause side effects. Fat blockers can cause problems with the digestive system, such as stomach cramps, gas, increased bowel movements, and oily stools. This happens because the fat you consume is not digested in your digestive tract, but only passes through your body. If these side effects are excessive, you may need to reduce your fat consumption.
In addition, some fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K, may also go undigested because fat blockers reduce the body's ability to digest fat-soluble vitamins. If you use this supplement for a long period of time, you could be deficient in the vitamin.
What ingredients are contained in fat blockers?
The way fat blocker supplements work in an effort to lose your weight is by preventing the body from absorbing fat. Although many ingredients or formulas are marketed as fat blocker supplements, only one particular fat blocker can work effectively. One of the ingredients contained in fat blocker supplements that are allowed and effective in losing weight is orlistat.
Orlistat works by inhibiting the lipase enzyme in the intestine which is responsible for breaking down fat so that it can be absorbed by the body. By inhibiting the action of lipase, orlistat can block the absorption of fat by the body, so that fat is not absorbed by the body and is immediately excreted through the feces.
Orlistat can prevent the absorption of up to 1/3 of the fat you eat. However, to lose weight and get the best results, you still have to adopt a healthy diet and also regular exercise, in addition to consuming orlistat.
When can orlistat be used?
Orlistat is usually only recommended for those of you who want to lose significant weight through diet, exercise, or by changing your lifestyle.
Orlistat is usually prescribed by your doctor if you have:
- Body Mass Index (BMI) * of 28 or more, and other conditions related to body weight, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes mellitus
- BMI of 30 or more
*Note: to calculate your BMI, you can divide your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared (BW kg / TB m2)
Orlistat is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women. We recommend that you consult your doctor first before you take orlistat, ask about its benefits, side effects, dosage, what kind of diet you should live, how long you should take it, and so on. What's more, if you also have high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or kidney disease, your doctor may change the dosage to match other medicines you are taking.
