The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved the first non-sanctioned over-the-counter weight loss drug. The new pill Alli, due to be released this summer, is expected to help people lose five to 10 percent of their body weight. It is designed to work by blocking the absorption of fat and the absorption of calories from fat.

The drug has actually been available through prescription since the late 1990s but will now be more widely available. By approving Alli, the FDA hopes to help address the growing obesity rate in the United States. It estimated that more than 60 percent of American adults are overweight.

It's about the government has stepped to make a proven weight loss drug available to consumers. Americans spend millions of dollars each year on weight loss pills and diet products that just don't work. Alli comes with specific instructions for diet and exercise to coincide with the drug, so we know this is not a miracle pill for weight loss. The main side effect is diarrhea.

The new drug isn't cheap. It is estimated to cost around $2 to $3 per day. Maybe if the government is so concerned with obesity is should consider footing part of the bill. That would probably be too much to hope for. At least this is a step in the right direction.

For other weight loss solutions check out Maintenance Diets on DietNation.com.