Long-time Virta patient, Brian, answers frequently asked questions about the treatment

By Brian, on Virta for 1 year and 4 months

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the spring of 2012. My A1c was 7.2%, and my doctor told me three things:

1. This is bad news.
2. Type 2 diabetes will be with me for the rest of my life.
3. There are good medications that can manage it.
   

In the summer of 2018, I learned about Virta through a colleague. He was interested in adding Virta’s type 2 diabetes reversal treatment to a benefits trust to which we both belong. While the information on Virta was appealing, he and I were both a bit skeptical. I had been told for years that type 2 diabetes was a permanent problem that could only be managed, so the concept of diabetes reversal was a bit hard to believe. But it sounded too good to not at least try, so I stepped up and started treatment shortly thereafter.

Almost a year and a half later, I am proud to share that I’ve brought my A1c down to 5.7% and indeed reversed my type 2 diabetes on Virta. I am still on the Virta treatment and believe in it now more than ever. When I tell others about Virta, I often get the same handful of questions, so I wanted to share my experience with others who may be evaluating Virta to help answer some common questions I hear.

‍What is it like doing the Virta treatment?

Though Virta uses nutritional therapy to reverse type 2 diabetes, dietary changes don’t happen right away. Before I made any changes to what I ate, Virta showed me short, educational videos to explain type 2 diabetes and how it is a result of carbohydrate intolerance. The ADA recommendation of 60 grams of carbs per meal simply does not work when you are intolerant to carbs. I liked that Virta explained why I would be making certain changes to my diet, instead of just telling me to do so, as this knowledge further helps me to make the best decisions for my health.

Throughout it all, I never went hungry or felt deprived. Since I couldn’t have some of the carb-heavy foods that I was used to, I found a number of substitutions through Virta that work perfectly, including a variety of egg dishes, veggies, and of course, bacon! Virta also provides handy meal plans and a list of “Virta-friendly” foods that make sticking to my new lifestyle easy.

How long will it be before I see results?

Because Virta is personalized to each individual, everyone's experience with the Virta treatment will be different. After I started making dietary changes based on my Virta health coach’s guidance, I saw results quickly. Within 2 weeks, my fasting blood sugars consistently tested under 100 mg/dL, whereas they used to hover around 140 mg/dL. As I regained control over my blood sugar through changes I was making, I also felt more directly in control of my health. 

How long until I can go back to my old way of eating?

The first thing I tell people is that the Virta treatment is actually a lifestyle, a different way of considering how and what I eat. Though Virta has already taught me the skills I need in order to keep type 2 diabetes at bay, I choose to stay with Virta because they help me sustain this way of life. I refuse to go back to my old way of eating because I don’t want to see a return of my type 2 diabetes.

But you don’t have to be perfect. On the days when I give in to temptation, my Virta health coach tells me not to worry and helps me get back on track. This journey is long, and a slip-up here and there will not take away all the progress I’ve already made. That being said, I am determined to stay disciplined and keep working toward my long-term goals. By staying with Virta and continuing to work with my health coach, I keep learning new ways to make it sustainable for me with no guilt or shame. I couldn’t do it without the constant support and expert information that my health coach provides whenever I need it.

Ultimately, Virta has replaced what my doctor told me years ago with two new pieces of information that I find much more motivating:

1. Medication is not the only answer to treating type 2 diabetes.
2. It is possible to reverse type 2 diabetes, and it begins by starting the Virta treatment.