Weight gain can result from an increase in body fluid, body fat and muscle mass. Certain medications may increase body fluid and cause salt retention, this is mostly seen in people with heart failure.

Increase in body fat is mostly associated with a high-calorie diet and lack of exercise, this causes the body to convert muscle to fat. However, when you exercise regularly, it is common to see an increase in muscle mass which also results to weight gain.
Weight gain can be caused by environmental (lifestyle, diet, exercise), genetic factors (in varying degrees) and hormonal causes.

The number one rule for weight loss is make sure you're ready. It takes time and effort to achieve long-term weight loss. Staying committed is key, you should make sure you make realistic and permanent changes to your eating and activity habits. To find out whether you're ready, ask yourself the following questions: Do I feel motivated to lose weight? Do I use food to help me cope with stress? Do I need extra support from healthcare professionals, my family or friends?

For successful weight-loss, you should take responsibility for your actions and behaviour. This means remain positive and undertake the diet and exercise changes to impress yourself rather than anyone else. It is vital you call on your motivational factors during moments of temptation, you may want to leave encouraging notes on the refrigerator or pantry door to remind yourself your weight-loss goals.
Set a realistic weight-loss goal. It is a good idea to aim for losing 1-2 pounds (0.5-1kg) a week. In order to achieve this, you'll need to burn 500-1,000 calories more than your daily consumption. You could accomplish this through a lower calorie diet and regular physical activity.

Orlistat aids weight-loss by decreasing the amount of dietary fat absorbed by the intestines. It works by blocking the work of lipase enzymes (found in the digestive tract) which helps the breakdown of dietary fat, so it can be stored for energy. When Orlistat is taken with a meal, about 25% of the fat is not broken down, instead it passes through stools.
Whilst taking Orlistat, it is important to avoid high-fat meals as this may increase your chances of developing side-effect such as oily stools.
Studies have shown that more than 40% of people successfully lost weight with Orlistat treatment. The people involved in the clinical trials followed a calorie-restricted diet and increased their physical activity. These participants lost 5% or more of their body weight within a year. This significantly helps reduce the risks of diabetes, heart disease and other diseases associated with obesity.

You can take one capsule up to three times a day within an hour of a fat-containing meal. It is important to note that your fat intake should not exceed 30% of your total calories. A fat intake of 15 grams a meal is recommended by the manufacturer.

You should not take a dose of orlistat if you do not eat a meal that contains fat.

Orlistat can reduce the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamins A, D, E, K and beta carotene. It is important to take a multivitamin to reduce the risks of vitamin deficiency. However the multivitamin should be taken at least 2 hours after your last Orlistat dose.

The side effects of Orlistat is mostly associated with the digestive system. Side-effects may include: oily stools, upset stomach and more frequent bowel movements. The full list of side-effects can be found in the patient information leaflet.

Alli 60mg capsules has been clinically proven to help with weight loss. It contains the active ingredient Orlistat which works by reducing the absorption of fat from the food you eat. This medication should only be taken by adults who are overweight (body mass index: BMI ≥28 kg/m2) and should be taken in conjunction with a mildly hypocaloric (low-calorie) diet and exercise.

Orlistat 120mg is a prescription-only weight loss aid for adult patients with a BMI ≥30 kg/m2 or for people with associated risk factors (such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure or high cholesterol) and a BMI ≥28 kg/m2. This medication works by reducing the absorption of fat from the food you eat. For treatment success, Orlistat should be taken in conjunction with a mildly hypocaloric (low in calories) diet and exercise.