You are right, it's 30% of the fat calories, not total calories.
I'm really surprised you cant access the Xenical website, considering that the med is available there. I'll copy some of the info here, and if you have any questions about anything, we can look and copy more
How does Xenical work?
If you eat an excessive amount of fat or calories, the excess is stored as fat by the body, resulting in weight gain. When you eat fat, your body breaks it down into its simplest components so that it can be digested.
Enzymes in your digestive system, called lipases, help digest (or break down) fat. As shown to the right, when taken with meals, XENICAL attaches to the lipases and blocks them from breaking down some of the fat you have eaten.
The undigested fat cannot be absorbed and is eliminated in your bowel movements. By working this way, XENICAL helps block about one-third of the fat in the foods you eat from being absorbed by your body.
Following 1 year of treatment, XENICAL in combination with diet was shown to be more effective in reducing weight than diet alone. In most cases, weight loss was gradual. Patients treated with XENICAL and a reduced-calorie diet for 1 year lost an average of 13.4 lbs, while those on a reduced-calorie diet alone lost 5.8 lbs. And XENICAL helped more people lose weight. In fact, over twice as many XENICAL patients lost 10% of their body weight, and among those who did, the average weight loss was 31 lbs and the range of weight loss was between 16 and 74 lbs.
How effective is XENICAL?
In clinical studies, people treated with XENICAL and a reduced-calorie diet with no more than 30% of calories from fat achieved significantly greater weight loss than people who were treated with diet alone. The studies were designed with all participants eating a reduced-calorie for 4 weeks, followed by the diet plus XENICAL or the diet alone for 52 weeks. After 52 weeks, those taking the diet plus XENICAL lost an average of twice as much weight as those who used the diet alone (approximately 13.4 lbs versus 5.8 lbs). Furthermore, 69.1% of patients receiving XENICAL lost 3% of their total body weight (an average of 13 lbs) after 3 months and 19 lbs after 1 year.
There is clear scientific evidence that if you are overweight, losing as little as 5% to 10% of your body weight can result in improved health. In studies of XENICAL, almost two-thirds of people treated with XENICAL plus diet successfully lost at least 5% of their body weight after 2 years. In comparison, only half of the people treated with diet alone managed to lose 5% of their weight.
Weight loss with XENICAL and a healthy diet also improves a number of weight-related health risks. Studies show that weight loss with XENICAL can:
Decrease total LDL cholesterol (level of low-density lipoprotein—also known as “bad cholesterol”), which transfers cholesterol throughout the body
Improve the LDL/HDL ratio
Reduce blood pressure
Reduce levels of insulin, a hormone that allows glucose (sugar) to enter the body’s cells
Reduce the risk or delay the progression of type 2 diabetes in patients
Note: The long-term benefits of orlistat on weight-related illnesses and life expectancy have not been studied.
How thoroughly has XENICAL been tested?
The effects of XENICAL on weight loss, weight maintenance and weight regain, as well as the effects of weight loss with XENICAL on other weight-related health problems (such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure), have been assessed in seven 1-to-2-year, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. These studies included more than 4100 patients.
What is the difference between XENICAL and other weight-loss medications?
Unlike other commonly prescribed weight-loss medications, XENICAL is not an appetite suppressant and does not affect your metabolism. Instead, it works in your digestive system to block about one-third of the fat in the food you eat from being digested.
How is the XENICAL weight-loss plan different from other such plans?
Weight loss with XENICAL is a different experience than weight loss with other treatments. It’s not just about taking a drug and eating - or avoiding - certain foods. Instead, it’s a "whole person" approach that ties together a number of different elements that are important for successful weight loss.
If you and your doctor decide XENICAL is right for you, you’ll work together to develop an appropriate reduced-calorie diet with no more than 30% calories from fat, reasonable physical activity guidelines and a weight-loss plan.
You’ll also have the opportunity to join XeniCare®, the free patient support program that was created to inform and inspire people who take XENICAL. XeniCare gives you the tools and encouragement you need to help you manage your weight. XeniCare cares about your health, not just how many pounds you lose. XeniCare is about you. When you enroll, you'll answer several questions about your lifestyle. Your responses are used to create a tailored Web site that's relevant to your weight-loss goals.
How do I know if I’m ready for XENICAL?
XENICAL isn’t like any weight-loss treatment you may have experienced. Because it works differently, your role in XENICAL treatment is a little different, too. To use XENICAL effectively you must be committed to:
Talking with your doctor. Only your doctor can properly assess your need for weight loss and help you understand its relationship to other medical conditions you may have. Also, XENICAL is available by prescription only, so only a doctor can start you on this program.
Following the proper medication schedule. XENICAL is taken by mouth, with liquid, and it is best to take it 3 times daily, once with each main meal containing fat. XENICAL can be taken with the meal or up to 1 hour afterward.
Eating a reduced-calorie, 30%-fat diet. A reduced-calorie diet may contain 1200-2000 calories a day, but you should discuss with your doctor how many calories a day are right for you. To help you determine how many calories you consume per day and the percentage of calories from fat, try this calorie calculator from the Calorie Control Council.
Monitoring your food intake. To help you stick to your reduced-calorie diet with no more than 30% of calories from fat, you’ll receive a Daily Diary to record what you eat.
Taking a multivitamin every day. Because XENICAL interferes with your body’s absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins, you should take a multivitamin supplement containing vitamins D, E and K and beta carotene once a day, at least 2 hours before or after taking one of your doses of XENICAL, such as at bedtime. Be sure to ask your doctor which multivitamin is right for you.
Setting realistic, achievable weight-loss goals you can feel good about. A health care professional can help you set these goals. For most people, an initial 5% to 10% weight-loss goal is a good place to start. Studies show that even a loss of 5% to 10% of your body weight can improve weight-related health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes.
What does my doctor need to know about me before prescribing XENICAL?
Because XENICAL is a prescription medicine, you must see your doctor to obtain it. But before a doctor can do that, he or she needs to determine whether the medicine is appropriate for you. You can help by making sure your doctor knows if you are:
Allergic to any medicines, foods or dyes
Taking any other weight-loss medication
Taking cyclosporine
Taking any other medicines (including those not prescribed by your doctor)
Taking any dietary supplements, including herbal products
Pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding
Anorexic or bulimic
This and other medical information will help you and your doctor decide if the expected advantages of XENICAL are greater than any possible disadvantages.
Can I take XENICAL with other medications?
Discuss with your doctor all medications you are currently taking (including over-the-counter medicines and herbal products you can get without a prescription) to determine if XENICAL can be taken in addition to these medications. If you are taking cyclosporine, let your doctor know before taking XENICAL; cyclosporine and XENICAL should be taken at least 2 hours apart. If your cyclosporine levels are being measured, more-frequent measurements may be necessary while you’re taking XENICAL.
How long should I use XENICAL?
The use of XENICAL for more than 2 years has not been studied. You and your doctor should discuss how long you should use XENICAL.
If XENICAL works only on the fat in the foods I've eaten, how do I lose the fat on my body?
By consuming fewer calories (the energy source your body requires), your body will automatically tap into its fat stores and use them for the energy it needs.
What happens if I miss a dose or take more than the recommended dose?
If you miss a dose, you simply lose the benefit of XENICAL in blocking one-third of the fat in the food you eat at that meal. You may resume taking XENICAL at your next meal containing fat.
In clinical trials, taking additional doses of XENICAL did not improve weight loss.
How much weight should I lose?
If you're like most people, you've probably set very high weight-loss standards for yourself. This can lead to disappointment. So before you start, it's important to establish realistic goals that you can reach and feel good about. For most people, a weight-loss goal of about 5% to 10% of their body weight is realistic. Clinical studies have shown that this weight-loss goal with XENICAL, plus a reduced-calorie diet with no more than 30% calories from fat, is achievable. In fact, after 52 weeks, those using the diet plus XENICAL lost an average of twice as much weight as those who used the diet alone (approximately 13.4 lbs versus 5.8 lbs). Furthermore, 69.1% of patients receiving XENICAL lost 3% of their total body weight (an average of 13 lbs) after 3 months and 19 lbs after 1 year.
Remember, you don't have to lose a great amount of weight to improve your health. Studies show that a 5% to 10% weight loss can improve weight-related health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes.
Find out what would be a reasonable weight-loss goal for you.
How soon after starting XENICAL should I expect to notice weight loss?
Typically, people begin losing weight within 2 weeks of starting XENICAL, and may continue to lose weight for 6 to 12 months, at which point weight loss may begin to plateau or level off - even if you’re still taking XENICAL. Keep your doctor informed about your progress so that he or she can make sure your diet and your level of physical activity remain appropriate to your weight-loss goals. Once you reach your initial goal, you may want to set a new goal and have your doctor re-evaluate your calorie and activity levels.
How much weight should I expect to lose?
The amount of weight you lose depends on how well you stick to a reduced-calorie diet with no more than 30% calories from fat and an appropriate physical activity level, as well as on your compliance with the prescribed medication regimen.
Many studies show that a too-rapid weight reduction is almost always followed by regained weight. Moreover, with rapid weight reduction there is an increased risk for gallstones and, possibly, electrolyte abnormalities. After successful weight loss, a program consisting of a reduced-calorie diet, physical activity and behavior therapy, which should be continued indefinitely, enhances the likelihood of weight-loss maintenance. That’s why it’s so important to approach weight loss as a long-term goal - a healthy change in your lifestyle - rather than a short-term solution.
I’ve been taking XENICAL for 2 weeks, but I haven't seen any weight loss yet. What am I doing wrong?
If you believe that you haven’t lost any - or enough - weight, contact your doctor. He or she may need to readjust either the calorie restriction of your diet or your activity level. Your doctor may suggest that you maintain a Daily Diary to get an idea of how many calories and grams of fat you are actually consuming on a daily basis. If you have been keeping a food diary, be sure to show it to your doctor. Also, be sure to enroll in the XeniCare® patient support program for additional support and helpful resources.
I’m still following the XENICAL plan, but I’ve stopped losing weight. Why?
This is known as “plateauing” or leveling off, and it’s perfectly normal. However, you should let your doctor know; he or she may need to readjust your calorie restriction and/or your activity level.
To maintain your new weight, you’ll need 25% fewer calories than when you started the XENICAL program. As the body loses weight, it needs less energy, or calories. On the other hand, if you’ve been increasing your physical activity level, you might be building muscle and losing fat, thereby replacing weight from fat with weight from muscle. In this case, you might need to increase your activity level by increasing either the time spent on or the intensity of your activity. Your doctor may ask you if you’ve seen any changes in your body measurements, such as that of your chest/breast, abdomen, waist and hips. If you’ve kept a monthly record of your body measurements, be sure to show this to your doctor.
If I take XENICAL, can I eat whatever I want?
The XENICAL dietary guidelines do not place any particular food “out of bounds.” But you may not be able to eat a lot of a particular food if it is high in calories or, especially, if it is high in fat.
To achieve results with XENICAL, you must follow the recommended diet. You should also follow a program of regular physical activity, such as walking. However, before you undertake any activity or exercise program, be sure to talk with your doctor or health care professional.
How many calories can I have per day and still lose weight?
One pound of body fat contains about 3500 calories. Eating 500 to 1000 calories a day less than your usual intake should result in weight loss of 1 lb to 2 lbs per week. The minimum recommended daily level is 1200 calories for women and 1500 calories for men to ensure that the diet includes all necessary vitamins and minerals.
Certain individuals adapt to low-calorie diets and their bodies become able to use calories more efficiently. This may be due to a drop in metabolic rate, which “protects” them from starvation. These individuals may require special efforts, which should be supervised by a doctor.
What is a “well-balanced” diet, according to the XENICAL program?
A well-balanced diet proportionally has about
:
30% of its calories from FAT
15% to 20% of its calories from PROTEIN
50% to 55% of its calories from CARBOHYDRATES (starch)
A typical diet on the XENICAL program calls for reduced calories, with fat intake limited to no more than 30% of calories from fat at any meal. In general, a reduced-calorie diet should contain 1200 to 2000 calories a day. Exactly how many calories a day you should eat is a matter for you and your doctor to discuss.