A new report came out today that states that Alli, the only over-the-counter weight loss medication approved by the FDA, may be linked with liver disease.  Although the association has not been proven, there are 27 reported cases of liver damage and 6 cases of liver failure from patients taking this medication and Xenical (the prescription version of the medication). 

These medications help with weight loss by blocking the absorption of fat, and therefore calories.  However, it is not without side effects.  One common side effect can be diarrhea and lack of control over bowl movements.  In fact, they even warn you to wear dark colored pants until you see how your body reacts to the medication. 

Another problem is that Alli can be very expensive.  It can cost up to $60 a month depending on how frequently you take it, and the benefits are modest at best.  The company states that using this medication (along with diet and exercise) can lead to a weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week.  With diet and exercise alone, many people can achieve this rate of weight loss. 

While I know that many people are looking for a quick fix, there is no magic pill to take.  If you do consider this medication (or any other weight loss supplement), it is best to do your research to make an informed decision and always talk to your doctor first!  

Topping the health news today was another study that found that many Americans are not getting enough Vitamin D.  This is not a new finding.  In fact, I wrote on this very topic two times before (see my posts on “Vitamin D & Bone Health” and “Today Show Talks about Vitamin D“).  The interesting thing about this study is that it was done on children, and it found that 70% of children are not getting enough vitamin D and 10% of children are actually vitamin D deficient. 

Researchers speculate that many children are not getting sufficient vitamin D because they are spending more time in doors.  In fact, children who spend 4 hours or more per day on the computer, watching TV or playing video games had a 60% higher risk of vitamin D deficiency.  This is because sunlight is one of the best sources of vitamin D. Another reason why children may not be getting as much vitamin D is because they are often drinking sugary beverages instead of milk.  Dairy products (like milk and yogurt) and fatty fish are the primary sources of vitamin D in the diet.

So why is this deficiency a problem?  Insufficient vitamin D can increase the risk of heart disease (even in children), bone loss and deficiencies can even lead to rickets.  In order to meet vitamin D requirements, for most people it just takes 10-15minutes per day in the sun before sunscreen is applied (sunscreen does block the rays that activate the vitamin D in our bodies).  For those with darker skin, it may take a little more than 15 minutes per day.  Including 2-3 servings of dairy products a day will also help to meet vitamin D needs.

For the full story, take a look at the following clip from NBC.