Blood Sugar Chaos: How to Take Back Control & Reverse Diabetes | Virta Health
Feb 12, 2025
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Sami Inkinen, CEO and co-founder of Virta Health, is reshaping the future of diabetes treatment. He discusses groundbreaking approaches to reversing type 2 diabetes through nutritional therapy, debunking the myth that it's irreversible. The conversation highlights the success of personalized dietary interventions and a tech-driven care model that prioritizes patient support. Inkinen also examines the financial impact of diabetes on the healthcare system and advocates for prevention as a key focus in combating this growing epidemic.
Type 2 diabetes can potentially be reversed with dietary and lifestyle changes instead of being managed solely through medication.
Virta Health's innovative care model combines personalized nutritional therapy and continuous remote monitoring to achieve significant health improvements.
The alarming prevalence of metabolic dysfunction in the U.S. highlights the need for a shift towards preventive approaches in healthcare.
Deep dives
Eliminating the Need for Insulin
The discussion emphasizes the importance of addressing type 2 diabetes by focusing on eliminating the need for insulin rather than simply lowering its cost. The idea is that instead of accepting type 2 diabetes as a progressive and irreversible condition, it can be managed and even reversed through dietary and lifestyle changes. Nutrition plays a crucial role in this process, with dietary interventions aimed at reversing the underlying metabolic dysfunction driving diabetes. By promoting healthier lifestyle choices, individuals can potentially avoid the need for insulin altogether.
Impact of Polyphenols on Health
Research highlights the role of polyphenols in enhancing health and longevity by targeting metabolic and immune pathways within cells. A specific food source known for its high polyphenol content is Himalayan tartary buckwheat, which has been celebrated for its health benefits for centuries. The podcast details how products rich in polyphenols, such as HTB Rejuvenate, support cellular health and potentially improve healthspan. This underscores the significance of quality food in preventive health and disease management.
The Role of Urolithin A in Cellular Health
Urolithin A is identified as a vital compound for healthy aging, particularly in rejuvenating cellular mitochondria, which are essential for energy production. As people age, mitochondrial efficiency declines, contributing to feelings of fatigue and sluggishness. Research indicates that urolithin A promotes mitophagy, allowing cells to remove damaged mitochondria and maintain high energy levels. The incorporation of supplements like MitoPure, which delivers bioavailable urolithin A, is presented as a beneficial strategy for enhancing physical performance and recovery.
Metabolic Dysfunction Crisis in America
The podcast discusses the alarming rate of metabolic dysfunction in the U.S., where a significant portion of the population is pre-diabetic or insulin resistant, often without awareness. This widespread issue contributes to various chronic diseases, including heart disease and Alzheimer’s. The traditional medical approach has primarily focused on managing these symptoms through medication rather than addressing root causes through nutritional and lifestyle interventions. Innovative programs, such as those from Virta Health, are highlighted as potential solutions for reversing metabolic dysfunction through comprehensive care.
A New Approach to Diabetes Care
The evolving approach to diabetes care emphasizes a shift from medication-heavy treatments to using diet and lifestyle as primary means for managing and reversing the condition. The model discussed integrates continuous remote monitoring with personalized nutritional counseling, allowing for real-time adjustments to treatment plans. This high-touch care model not only enhances patient engagement but also improves outcomes such as weight loss and glycemic control. The conversation stresses the need for this approach to be recognized and adopted more widely within the healthcare system for effective diabetes reversal.
What if instead of managing diabetes with drugs, we focused on reversing it? In this episode of The Dr. Hyman Show, I sit down with Sami Inkinen, CEO and co-founder of Virta Health, and Dr. Greeshma Shetty, a board-certified endocrinologist, to discuss an approach that’s transforming how we treat metabolic disease. They share groundbreaking research and real-world results that prove type 2 diabetes isn’t a lifelong sentence—it can be reversed with the right nutritional and care model.
In this conversation, you’ll learn:
Why mainstream medicine still treats type 2 diabetes as a progressive disease—even though science shows it’s reversible.
How Virta Health is using a combination of nutritional therapy and continuous remote care to achieve Ozempic-level results, without the drugs.
The critical role of personalized dietary interventions in reversing metabolic dysfunction.
How a high-touch, tech-driven approach to patient care is leading to long-term success.
The real cost of diabetes—not just for individuals, but for the entire healthcare system—and why prevention and reversal should be the priority.
If you or someone you love is dealing with type 2 diabetes, this is a must-listen episode.
