Diabetes has become an overwhelming burden on patients, healthcare systems, and employers; the combined medical expenses and productivity losses related to diabetes amount to a staggering  $413 billion annually.  With medication costs that can exceed $22,400 per year and drugs that fail to address the root causes of the disease, those living with type 2 diabetes face significant strain on both their finances and quality of life.

New findings show that L-Nutra Health’s Diabetes Remission and Regression Program (DRRP), which utilizes a low-glycemic Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) as part of its comprehensive dietetic and medically-led program, offers a solution that reduces both the need for medications and the overall cost of diabetes care.

Key Study Findings

L-Nutra Health recently published the results of a  new study in the prestigious journal Value in Health which assessed the potential economic impact and health outcomes of the DRRP over a 10-year period. The model used in the evaluation was developed by analyzing data from various studies on FMD. Among the research analyzed include BMC Primary Care™, and a recent study published in Diabetologia which showed  that 12 monthly cycles of FMD, totaling 5 days per month alongside standard care, is 7x more likely to improve glycemic management and 8x more likely to reduce medications than standard care alone. 

The 10-year Value in Health simulation revealed significant benefits for both patients and healthcare systems, including reduced medication usage, fewer complications, and substantial cost savings. This complex multimodal analysis demonstrated that the benefits of the DRRP over ten years include:

• Reduction in healthcare costs: By lowering the need for prescription drugs and associated side effects, the model demonstrated a reduction in short-, medium-, and long-term healthcare expenses
• Big savings: After following a 3-year FMD program, the model showed that over a 10-year period, the DRRP resulted in a net monetary savings of $41,613 for patients who take two or more medications.
• Break-even point: For patients on two or more medications (which is more than 60% of people living with type 2 diabetes), the DRRP begins to deliver cost savings by month 10 of the program.
• Significant improvements in quality-adjusted life years (QUALYs), reflecting a better quality of life with fewer medical interventions.

Impact on Health Outcomes

Unlike pharmaceutical approaches that focus on managing symptoms, L-Nutra Health’s DRRP is built around a clinically-backed, low-glycemic Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) that targets key factors contributing to type 2 diabetes: cellular aging, muscle loss, and visceral fat—primary drivers of insulin resistance. Through targeting the root causes, DRRP can lead to improved health outcomes and medication reduction, as demonstrated in the data published in Value in Health:

• 67.2% of participants reduced or stopped their diabetes medications
  
• 72% reduction in insulin use
  
• 45% decrease in hypoglycemia events
  
• 11.4% reduction in complications

Cost-Effectiveness Over Time

According to the model, for patients taking two or more medications—who are among the heaviest users of healthcare resources—payors (such as insurance companies and health systems) break even on their investment in the DRRP by the 10th month. This makes DRRP not only a cost-effective option but an attractive solution for healthcare providers, insurance companies, and self-insured organizations looking to reduce the financial burden of diabetes care.

Dr. Joseph Antoun, CEO of L-Nutra, highlights the significance of DRRP: "The results of this study are monumental for both patients and payers. The L-Nutra Health Program produces a 700% better chance of regressing TD2 when added to current medicinal protocols. Payers who reimburse such programs can breakeven at month 10 and realize positive budget impacts as soon as the first year of payments. DRRP not only tackles the root causes of TD2, but it aligns the incentives of patients, doctors, payers and health systems in reversing the disease and reducing treatment costs.”

Market Analysis: DRRP vs. GLP-1

In this market, the comprehensive DRRP has been shown to outperform GLP-1 medications by addressing the root causes of metabolic issues. Among them, promoting fat loss while preserving muscle mass: up to 40% of the weight lost from GLP-1 use comes from lean tissue and muscle, which can slow metabolism and negatively affect long-term health. In contrast, the FMD used in the DRRP helps users target visceral and abdominal body fat while protecting muscle, which supports a healthier body composition and metabolism.

Additionally, FMD users report significant behavior changes, including an improved relationship with food, reduced sugar cravings, and a marked increase in self-reported exercise—up to four times more than those following traditional therapies alone. This increase in exercise likely correlates with better body composition—less fat and maintained muscle—making it easier to stay active, supporting energy levels and sustaining long-term health benefits. 

Over 85% of participants finish the DRRP program, demonstrating its accessibility and effectiveness. GLP-1 medications can cost over $1,000 per month, with many discontinuing use after 12 weeks, often before hitting meaningful weight-loss milestones, making them an unsustainable option for most. In contrast, DRRP is more affordable, averaging under $300 per cycle, and provides comprehensive care, including bi-monthly personalized dietetic consults and medical oversight. While GLP-1 users often experience side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, DRRP leverages plant-based nutrition therapies that minimize side effects and even help reduce or eliminate the need for medications in many cases. 

With over 32 clinical trials and 134 patents, L-Nutra Health's scientifically validated programs are designed to leverage nutritional science to achieve significant health outcomes. Its DRRP program stands as a transformative, cost effective alternative to pharmaceutical-heavy interventions.  Learn more  HERE.