2-year results of the Virta Health keto study: patients thriving

How are the Virta Health patients with type 2 diabetes doing two years into their keto coaching experiment? Just great!

That is what the researchers recently reported in an abstract for Obesity Week.

The as-yet unpublished two-year results showed that the majority (74%) of the 262 patients were continuing with the program and achieving lasting and significant benefits in weight loss, better blood sugar control, lowered blood pressure, lowered inflammatory markers and improved blood lipid markers.

In fact, the study showed there was a 43.2% reduction in the number of patients meeting the defined criteria for diabetes at the two-year point. Average weight loss was close to 12 kg (26 lbs).

Obesity Week Abstract: Effectiveness of a continuous care intervention for type 2 diabetes management.

A year ago, Diet Doctor reported on Virta Health’s impressive results from the first year of its study.

Diet Doctor: 1-year results of the Virta Health keto study

The 43% diabetes reversal at two years is impressive, albeit a little disappointing after 60% reversal at one year. Realistically, backsliding is to be expected because it is almost always seen in long-term studies as subjects revert to old eating patterns. In short, the diet does not cure diabetes, rather evidence shows it puts it into remission. Blood sugar issues, and type 2 diabetes will likely return if people resume eating too many carbohydrates.

With results like these, shouldn’t nutritional ketosis be the way all doctors approach not only the management but the reversal of type 2 diabetes?

It’s yet more scientific evidence that eating fewer carbohydrates that digest into sugar will reduce blood glucose levels and reverse type 2 diabetes.

—
Anne Mullens

Earlier

Diabetes defeated by diet

New study: Keto improves cardiovascular health markers

Virta Health raises $45 million in investment to expand low-carb treatment of type 2 diabetes