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Weight Loss
Obesity is a national health problem, costing the NHS around £5 billion each year in dealing with obesity-related health complications. An estimated 28.7% of adults in England are obese, whilst a further 35.6% are overweight but not obese. These are clearly statistics that need to change. However, if you have tried to lose weight and find that diet and exercise alone have not worked, Medical Specialists® can provide weight loss aids to suitable patients. Losing weight will reduce your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, joint problems, and can help you look and feel great, giving you back confidence!
Additional Information
Xenical v Orlistat v Alli
Orlistat is the generic version of the branded Xenical, with both treatments being prescription-only and available following an online consultation with Medical Specialists®. Both of these medicines are used in conjunction with a low-fat and calorie reduced diet to help you lose weight more efficiently than just dieting alone.
Both Orlistat and Xenical are manufactured as capsules that contain 120mg or the active ingredient orlistat, and should have identical pharmacological effects – i.e. both the branded Xenical and generic Orlistat should work in the exact same way. With these prescription medicines, you must have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more to be suitable for the medication, or a BMI of 28 to 29.99 with a condition that would be improved with weight loss (such as high blood pressure or diabetes).
Alli meanwhile does not require a prescription and is therefore classed as an over-the-counter medicine. At 60mg Orlistat per capsule, Alli is half the strength of the branded Xenical and generic Orlistat. You will still need to answer some questions when ordering, for our in-house Pharmacists’ to check however. Patients must have a BMI of at least 28 to order Alli.
All three options have been shown to be very effective in helping people lose weight and should be taken whilst adhering to a low-fat diet with a reduced calorie intake. They can also only be taken by those over the age of 18.
Mysimba for Weight Loss
Mysimba is yet another exciting and new option for those looking to lose weight.
Orlistat when taken, works to reduce the amount of fat your body can absorb, and therefore reduces calorie intake helping users to lose weight.
Mysimba on the contrary, works instead as an appetite suppressant. Although it is not yet fully understood how Mysimba works, it is thought that the two active ingredients (Naltrexone Hydrochloride and Bupropion Hydrochloride) work successfully together to help reduce food cravings and suppress a person's appetite. Mysimba can even take some of the pleasure away from eating. All this can then result in effective and sustained weight loss.
To be eligible for Mysimba, you must have a body mass index (BMI) that is 30 or greater, OR a have BMI of 27 to 29.99 with a weight-related condition (e.g. type-2 diabetes, high cholesterol, etc.)
How can I Lose Weight?
Obesity is the term used when you are overweight with a BMI of 30 or above, with those having a BMI of 40 and above being severely obese. It is believed that one in every four adults is obese in the United Kingdom. To check your BMI, you can use the NHS BMI Calculator.
One of the most important things when trying to lose weight is simply being careful with the food you put inside your body. A diet rich in protein, fruit and vegetables and wholegrain versions of food where possible, can certainly help you on your way.
High fatty and sugary foods should be avoided as much as possible. Both will inevitably curtail any weight loss gains and it may be worthwhile not buying such foods to have in the house in order to avoid temptation.
There is no ‘one glove fits all’ approach on how to lose weight, but a safe and sustainable rate of weight loss is considered to be around 0.5 to 1kg a week, with most people advised to cut energy intake by 600 calories a day.
Therefore this means a limit of approximately 1,900 calories per day for men and 1,400 calories for women.
As well as watching calorie intake, to really effectively lose weight, you will have to get moving too. The Chief Medical Officers says adults should be aiming for at least 150 minutes moderate-intensity activity per week – for example, 5 sessions of 30-minute exercise a week. Such activities can include cycling, recreational swimming or brisk walking.
On the other hand, engaging in 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity a week, could be preferred, or a mixture of the two. Circuit training and running are just some examples of more vigorous activities.
Weight loss medication can be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise, which can be far more effective than just dieting and exercise alone. However, you should always discuss with your own doctor first any weight loss plans you may have for the foreseeable future.