It's a legitimate question. Is alli really needed? If eating low-fat (and fewer calories) and exercising more is the best route to weight loss, then why, really, do you need a pill like alli to help you along?

I'm hearing this question asked in numerous ways, both online and off. I heard it asked in a focus group last week. A doctor blogs about it here.

Here's my answer: If you're going to make a serious, extended effort to cut calories and fat, and to get more physically active, then WHY WOULDN'T YOU add alli? To put it another way, why wouldn't you go for a 50% better return on your weight loss effort?

If you're buying 10 gallons of gasoline, would you turn down a free coupon for an extra five gallons?

If you think about how alli works (it blocks about 25% of the fat in your meal, helping you lose 50% more weight), then not taking alli is like turning down a coupon for five extra gallons when you're already paying for ten gallons of gasoline. Or turning down the 50% more free toothpaste in that bonus tube. Obviously, using alli is not as simple as brushing your teeth or buying gasoline. You have to read the label to make sure alli is right for you. But, the point is still the same. In simplest medical terms, alli helps enhance the calorie deficit that is necessary to lose weight. 

I can tell you that I appreciated the extra help when I used orlistat (the active ingredient in alli) to lose 60 pounds over three years (I've kept it off).

By the way, here's a useful resource on Revolution Health that intelligently offers pros and cons about using alli. And not to sound like a commercial but I have to say it: more about whether alli is right for you on myalli.com (safety information and FAQs).

And if you've got a better analogy for "why use a pill" than gasoline coupons or toothpaste, let me know.