Veterans Living with Type 2 Diabetes Achieve Rapid Health Improvements in Virta Health Partnership with VA
Results Offer Promising Prospects as Nation Celebrates Veterans Day and Diabetes Awareness Month
San Francisco, CA: Type 2 diabetes affects 25% of the veteran patient population. Millions of veterans are living with the disease, and the number is growing. Results from a new analysis, though, provide promising evidence that this trend can be reversed. Data from the pilot conducted by Virta Health with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shows that 84% of veteran patients on the Virta Treatment for 90 days achieved glycemic outcomes below the diabetes threshold or at least a one-point drop in HbA1c (a measure of blood sugar). These improvements occurred with a 53% reduction in prescriptions for diabetes-specific medications, including drugs such as insulin, across the population.
These health outcomes, based on the experience of the first 104 patients enrolled in the partnership, corresponded to a more than 400% increase in veterans with blood sugar control below the diabetes threshold. Patients also lost weight, with an average loss of 5% of total body weight in only 90 days.
These outcomes demonstrate the potential for diabetes reversal among America’s veterans, and are consistent with a two-year study published in June by Frontiers in Endocrinology that revealed dramatic improvements in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients receiving the Virta Treatment. The results are also timely as the nation commemorates Veterans Day and Diabetes Awareness Month.
The experiences of veterans like Ron and Lester underscore the life-changing benefits of this approach. Ron was in the Air Force for 26 years, and with the Virta Treatment his HbA1c went from 6.7% to 5.0% in 90 days. Lester, an Army Veteran, dropped his fasting blood sugar from 200 mg/dL to 120 mg/dL in under two months. Both entirely removed the need for diabetes medications, and, in Ron’s case, he was even able to eliminate daily insulin injections.
Their stories highlight the severe difficulties that people living with T2D experience daily—and the freedom that is felt when unburdened with the debilitating physical and emotional side effects that are common with the disease.
Virta Heath’s approach is particularly well-suited to complement existing VA services and help a nationally distributed veteran population. By offering continuous remote care—technology-based, and near real-time access to physicians and health coaches—Virta can safely de-prescribe medications when they are no longer needed due to the effectiveness of Virta’s individualized nutrition therapy. Virta Health is a licensed medical provider in all 50 states and delivers care remotely to patients whenever and wherever they need it.
“Our results with the VA underscore the opportunity to reverse diabetes for millions of veterans,” said Sami Inkinen, CEO and co-founder of Virta Health. “What’s exciting is that these health improvements, including eliminating the need for diabetes medications, align with the success we see with other populations and support the evidence that diabetes can be conquered globally.”
Although the pilot is fully enrolled, veterans interested in learning more about the partnership or receiving updates can visit www.virtahealth.com/veterans. For details on the Virta Treatment, visit www.virtahealth.com. For information on the Veterans Health Administration, visit www.va.gov/health.
About Virta Health
Virta Health provides the first treatment to safely and sustainably reverse type 2 diabetes without medications or surgery. Among enrolled patients in our clinical trial at one year, 60% achieved diabetes reversal and 94% of insulin users reduced or eliminated usage altogether. Results extend beyond diabetes reversal to other areas of metabolic and cardiovascular health, with sustained improvements in blood pressure, inflammation, liver function, and BMI. For enterprises, Virta puts 100% of its fees at risk and can reduce medical prescription costs by more than 70% in year 1 alone. Delivered through Virta’s novel continuous remote care platform, the Virta Treatment provides unparalleled medical and behavioral support and is transforming the lives of people living with type 2 diabetes. To learn more, visit www.virtahealth.com or find Virta on Twitter @virtahealth.
Media Contact
Paul Sytsma
Virta Health
press@virtahealth.com
