Toward Health Study Shows Sustained Weight Loss And Improved Metabolic Health Without GLP-1s

A yearlong study from Toward Health has found that its evidence-based approach to metabolic health can deliver sustained weight loss and reduced medication use for employees and significant cost savings for companies.

Published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, the study was conducted by Toward Health, a nationwide virtual metabolic health clinic led by Dr. Tro Kalayjian that offers lifestyle-first care from a team of physicians and health coaches. It found that food addiction and binge eating symptoms can be significantly improved without medication or surgery.

Researchers tracked patients for 12 months and found participants lost an average of 15.5% of their body weight — about 43 pounds — with 76% still losing weight at the end of the year. Participants also averaged two fewer prescriptions per person, and companies saved an estimated $2,000 per employee.

The study highlights the scalability of the programs virtual care model, which blends telemedicine, an interactive app, real-time monitoring and health coaching to improve outcomes without frequent in-office visits. A prior study by Toward Health found even greater savings — up to $4,000 per person — for employees with severe metabolic disease.

“We’re already seeing people who can’t tolerate GLP-1 medications or are dealing with side effects,” said Kalayjian, founder and chief medical officer at Toward Health. “This study shows that those struggling with food addiction and binge eating deserve more than willpower or medication. They need a program built around real food, real support, and real results. That’s the exact unmet need the TOWARD model addresses.”

The TOWARD approach — named for its core components of Text-based communications, Online interactions, Wellness coaching, Asynchronous education, Real-time biofeedback, and Dietary modifications emphasizing therapeutic carbohydrate reduction and intermittent fasting — aims to address metabolic disease with personalized, lifestyle-based interventions.

Patients reported transformative improvements, from no longer needing seat belt extenders to walking 15,000 steps a day and even wearing long-lost wedding rings again.

“Patients deserve more than a quick injection drug and a seven-minute visit. Weve set the new standard for what every metabolic health clinic in the country should be doing to truly reverse metabolic disease,” Kalayjian said.

“This is a powerful reminder that we can address the root causes of compulsive eating with compassionate, lifestyle-based care,” said Dr. Laura Buchanan, Toward Healths metabolic care lead. “Its not just possible, its proven.”