Virta Health offers a medically supervised, research-backed program designed to help individuals lose weight and reverse or stop the progression of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. The program distinguishes itself by utilizing food as medicine, providing personalized nutrition plans, and offering continuous support through a digital platform.
The Virta Program: Food as Medicine
Virta's approach centers on the idea of using food to manage and improve metabolic health. Instead of focusing on simply eating less, the program encourages participants to consume better-for-you meals that promote the body's ability to burn fat for energy instead of relying on sugar or carbohydrates. This nutritional strategy can lead to natural weight loss, reduced A1C levels, and a decreased need for diabetes medication, even without increased exercise.
Key Components of the Virta Program
The Virta program incorporates several key elements to support participants in achieving their health goals:
- Medical Supervision: A physician-led care team provides virtual medical care and guidance throughout the program.
- Digital Tools: Participants receive a digital weight scale and a connected blood glucose meter that syncs with their phones, allowing for easy tracking and monitoring of progress.
- Medication Management: The program includes medically guided reduction of unnecessary medications, under the supervision of the care team.
- Nutritional Resources: Virta provides exclusive nutritional resources, including recipes, food lists, videos, and meal plans, to help participants make informed food choices.
- Diabetes Testing Supplies: Essential supplies such as testing strips, lancets, and meters are conveniently delivered to participants' doors.
- Continuous Support: Virta offers around-the-clock support through an easy-to-use mobile and desktop app, eliminating the need for in-person visits.
- Health Coaching: Unlimited one-on-one health coaching is available to provide personalized guidance and motivation.
- Online Community: Participants gain access to a private online patient support community, fostering a sense of connection and shared experience.
- Regular Engagement: Virta keeps participants engaged through regular check-ins, newsletters, and access to webinars.
Virta Webinar Series
Virta offers webinars that demonstrate how to succeed, stay motivated, and reverse or improve diabetes through the program. These webinars address practical questions, such as how Virta fits into a typical day and what participants can eat. The webinars include a live Q&A session and feature speakers from the Virta Health Medical Group.
Who is Eligible for Virta?
Eligibility for the Virta program varies depending on the specific program and the individual's health plan. Generally, the following criteria apply:
Read also: Healthy Virta Diet Recipes
- Age: Participants must be at least 18 years old.
- Specific Programs:
- Sustainable Weight Loss: A BMI of 25 or higher or an A1c level between 5.7% and 6.4%.
- Sustainable Weight Loss with Responsible Prescribing: Meeting FDA criteria for GLP-1s, including a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with comorbidities.
- Diabetes Reversal: An A1c of 6.5% or higher and a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
Virta vs. Other Programs: Omada and Teladoc
Virta distinguishes itself from other digital health programs like Omada and Teladoc by offering a more comprehensive solution for addressing obesity, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes. While Omada focuses on diabetes prevention and Teladoc aims to help manage type 2 diabetes, Virta seeks to reverse type 2 diabetes and empower members to make lasting changes to nutrition and lifestyle.
Collaboration with Primary Care Providers
Virta emphasizes collaboration with members' primary care physicians (PCPs). Upon enrollment, Virta seeks the member's PCP's information and sends introductory information, followed by periodic updates and triggered communications, such as when a member starts or stops a medication or leaves the program. It's important to note that all GLP-1 prescriptions for members enrolled in specific Virta programs must come from a Virta provider.
Success Stories and Testimonials
Numerous Virta members have shared their positive experiences with the program:
- One member reported a significant drop in glucose levels and weight loss within just three weeks, along with increased energy levels.
- Another member saw their A1C drop from 6.7 to 5.2 and lost 30 pounds within 11 weeks.
- One member stated, "I feel the best I've felt in 15 years. I'm able to focus more. I am a better employee, simply because I have better health. It's given me back a quality of life that I never thought I would be able to enjoy again."
- Another member shared, "In just a few months, my A1c came down to a controlled level of 5.5% and I lost 65 pounds. My cholesterol levels improved, and my BMI is in the normal range. I am the happiest and healthiest I’ve ever been."
- One member expressed disbelief at the positive results, stating that Virta helped them reduce the number of diabetes prescriptions they needed.
The Science Behind Virta: Nutritional Ketosis
Virta's approach often involves carbohydrate restriction to induce nutritional ketosis. This metabolic state occurs when the body primarily burns fat for fuel instead of glucose. By achieving nutritional ketosis through carbohydrate-restricted therapy and individualized care, Virta aims to stabilize blood sugar levels and promote weight loss.
Virta's Personalized Approach
Virta emphasizes tailored nutrition plans based on individual needs and preferences. The program tracks daily biomarkers from blood glucose and blood ketones to provide feedback and adjust the plan accordingly. Virta considers factors such as ethnic differences, access to grocery stores, and nearby restaurants to customize the plan for each member.
Read also: Does Virta Health Work?
Virta's Stance on GLP-1s
Virta offers an alternative approach to GLP-1 medications for weight loss and diabetes management. A retrospective study conducted by Virta found that members who were deprescribed from GLP-1 drugs lost an average of 13.6% of their body weight through nutritional ketosis and individualized care.
Read also: Low-Carb Virta Diet Food Options