In this Episode I welcome on Sami Inkinen CEO of Virta Health to discuss Virta Health's approach to Type 2 Diabetes reversal'
Virta Health utilizes a continuous remote care intervention (CCI) that incorporates individualized carbohydrate restriction, health coaching, and telemedicine to manage and reverse Type 2 Diabetes
We cover topics such as:
Impact of individualized carbohydrate restriction:
The role of the patient-provider relationship:
Addressing quality of food
The Virta change model:
GLP-1 Receptor agonists as a bridge:
Sustainable solutions require addressing nutrition:
Research Findings of Virta's approach.
Long-Term Effects of CCI: A 2-year non-randomized clinical trial published in Frontiers in Endocrinology showed significant and sustained improvements in multiple clinical markers of diabetes and cardiometabolic health in the CCI group compared to the UC (usual care) group . These included reductions in HbA1c, fasting glucose and insulin, weight, blood pressure, triglycerides, and liver alanine transaminase . The CCI group also saw higher rates of diabetes reversal and remission .
GLP-1 Deprescription: A recent study published in Diabetes Therapy explored the impact of discontinuing GLP-1 agonists in patients who had successfully integrated Carb-Restriction Nutrient Therapy (CRNT) supported by Virta's telemedicine model . The study found that patients did not experience weight regain after stopping GLP-1 medications, and while HbA1c levels increased slightly, they generally remained below the diagnostic threshold for diabetes
About Sami:
Join NowSami InkinenFounder, Chief Executive Officer
Sami Inkinen is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Virta Health, the leader in diabetes reversal and sustainable weight loss. With a combination of proven nutrition, expert support, and advanced technology, Virta empowers members with the tools and knowledge to sustain changes for a longer, healthier life.
A data-driven technology entrepreneur, Sami's personal experience with diabetes and passion to advance global health was the motivation behind Virta. Working with over 500 large employers, health plans, and government organizations across the country, Virta has helped over 100,000 members reverse their diabetes and obesity.
Previously, Sami was co-founder of leading online real estate marketplace Trulia, serving as its COO, president, and board member until its IPO and eventual sale to Zillow Group, and held roles at Microsoft and McKinsey & Company. He also founded Fat Chance Row to raise awareness of the dangers of sugar and its connection to diabetes, rowing from California to Hawaii — 2,750 miles — with his wife, completely unsupported.
He holds a MS in engineering physics from the Helsinki University of Technology and a MBA from Stanford University, and is also a triathlon age group world champion and 8 hour 24 minute Ironman finisher, having completed seven Hawaii Ironmans. He lives in Colorado with his wife and two daughters, enjoying the outdoors and the delight of their small barn of egg-laying chickens.
Socials
Website: https://www.virtahealth.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virtahealth/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/virtahealth/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/virta-healthYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/virtahealthX: https://x.com/virtahealth
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