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    Weight Loss
    Updated at: July 24, 20246 min read

    How long does it take for Orlistat to work?

    Everybody knows that weight loss cannot be achieved overnight. In many instances, people will start a weight loss regimen only to lose interest after a few months of not seeing any tangible results. Even people who lose some weight and can see a difference can have the tendency to take it easy after a while, often leading to them gaining back the weight that they initially lost and potentially even more.

    It takes determination, dedication, and patience to lose weight. In some cases, it also requires weight loss aids that are proven to work. Many people have tried diet and exercise but still, they failed to lose a significant amount of weight. With the help of weight loss aids, such as Orlistat, people have had incredible results.

    What is Orlistat?

    Orlistat is a medication that effectively aids in weight loss, or reduces the risk of regaining the weight that was already lost. When used alongside a reduced-calorie diet, doctor-approved exercise regimen, and lifestyle change, Orlistat can significantly lower a person’s weight. Orlistat does not only help in weight loss, it can also lower blood pressure, as well as help to prevent the onset of type two diabetes.

    Orlistat works by blocking the production in the body of the enzymes that break down fats in the diet. Orlistat blocks about 30% of dietary fat in a person’s diet. The undigested fat is then excreted from the body as part of the stool. While blocking the absorption of dietary fats, orlistat does not block the body’s calorie absorption from non-fat foods and sugars. It will help your weight loss program especially if you are restricting your total calorie intake while you are taking the medication. 

    Orlistat should be taken three times daily with every main meal that contains fat. Orlistat should be taken during or up to one hour after a meal with dietary fats. The person taking orlistat should have a nutritionally-balanced diet that contains fewer calories, with about 30% of the calories coming from fat. The consumption of protein, carbohydrates, and fat must be spread out over the three main meals of the day. When a meal does not contain fat or if the meal is missed, either intentionally or unintentionally, there is no need to take a dose of orlistat.

    How long does it take for Orlistat to work?

    Orlistat is a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor that prevents the absorption by the body of dietary fats. The medication starts to affect how you digest fat within one to two days after you first take it. You will feel the effects of orlistat within a day or two. However, users should not expect to see any significant weight loss in the first few days of taking orlistat. 

    After three months of continuously taking orlistat, you can expect to lose a few pounds of weight. You should continue taking orlistat if you lose 5% of your body weight after the first three months of use. People who want to lose weight should remember that there is a safe way of losing unwanted pounds. Losing weight too quickly can be unsafe. The safe weekly rate of weight loss is between 0.5 kg and 1 kg, or around one to two pounds per week.

    How does Orlistat work?

    Orlistat blocks the absorption by the body of dietary fats. When dieters speak of fat in the diet, they refer to the total fat percentage of what they are eating. When people are checking food labels, they should be looking for “total fat,” as this is the part of the diet that will cause weight gain and other unpleasant side effects. By regularly checking the labels of the food that you buy, and after determining the fat content of each food item, dieters can then make informed decisions about whether to switch to healthier options when possible.

    You can cut down on your fat intake by using the following tips:

    • If you are using butter or regular spreads, switch to a low-fat spread.

    • Trim off the visible fats from your cuts of meat and remove the skin of your chicken. You should also avoid eating high-fat meat products such as pork crackling.

    • Avoid added fat. Bake, grill, poach, or microwave your food if possible instead of frying.

    • Buy low-fat dairy products such as skimmed or semi-skimmed milk, reduced-fat cheeses, or low-calorie yoghurts.

    • Use low-fat sauces for your food, for example, a low fat, low sugar ketchup.

    There are many other tips that you can follow in order to lose weight at home.

    When do you take Orlistat?

    You should ensure to take orlistat as directed by your doctor. Make orlistat a part of a complete treatment program, which includes a doctor-approved exercise regimen, a calorie-reduced diet, and lifestyle changes. When eating, distribute your daily intake of protein, carbohydrates, and fats evenly over your three main meals of the day. 

    Take orlistat with a meal or within one hour after a meal that contains dietary fat. Your fat intake should not be more than 30% of your total calorie intake per meal. If you eat three main meals a day that contain fat, you should take orlistat three times a day.

    Your meal should not contain fats that constitute more than 30% of your calorie count. If your daily meal contains 1200 calories, your fat intake for the day should be no more than 360 of your total calories. If you go over this percentage of calories then you may be stopping yourself from getting the best results possible from your orlistat dosage. 

    You should carefully read the labels of the food you are going to eat and pay attention to the number of servings per container. Request your doctor or dietician to help you draw up a healthy eating plan. When you are prescribed orlistat you will find that you will get the best results when used alongside a healthy eating plan and when you are doing regular exercise.

    Sources

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    Related Products

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    From £188.59
    • Suitable for weight management
    • Helps you to feel fuller and less hungry
    • Self-administered injectable weight-loss medication
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    • Injectable medicine
    • Suppresses appetite
    • Reduces cravings
    preview
    From £34.97
    • Reduces the amount of fat your body absorbs
    • Helps you to lose weight
    • Lowers overall body fat

    Blog author

    Scott Weaver

    Scott is an experienced and professional content writer who works exclusively for UK Meds.

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