98% Lean Mass Retention: What Our Latest Findings Reveal About Quality Weight Loss

Feeling off? When your metabolic health is out of sync, so is everything else. 

That’s why OPTAVIA was recently highlighted in a press release for groundbreaking findings on metabolic health. 

The State of Metabolic Health 

More than 90% of U.S. adults are metabolically unhealthy.* That can show up as hidden imbalances you may not even realize are holding you back — from having difficulty maintaining energy to struggling with achieving and managing a healthy weight.

Metabolic health matters because it influences how your body feels and functions every day. When it’s out of sync, even simple routines can feel harder. When it’s supported, you have a stronger foundation for living with steadiness and momentum.

That's why it's critical to look deeper — beyond the surface — and understand what's really driving these challenges. Addressing metabolic health starts with evidence, not guesswork.

Turning Science Into Action 

As the metabolic health crisis took hold, our VP of Scientific & Clinical Affairs, Satya Jonnalagadda, led her team of experts in analyzing thousands of data points from our randomized clinical trial — the gold standard in research. 

Their 5 & 1 Clinical Study Dataset Analysis revealed something big: 

👉 OPTAVIA's Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan® is linked to improved metabolic health. 👉 Individuals on the 5 & 1 plan experienced 98% lean mass retention.** 

Why Lean Mass Retention Is Critical 

Improving metabolic health often starts with quality weight loss — the kind that preserves lean mass, your body’s foundation for strength and energy. 

Preserving lean mass is essential because it drives your basal metabolic rate (BMR) — the engine that supports efficient energy use, fat burning and healthy weight management. 

This is what sets healthy, quality weight loss apart — and why it directly supports long-term metabolic health. 

The evidence is clear: the 5 & 1 plan doesn’t just promote healthy, quality weight loss. It unlocks a body that works better over time and improves key drivers of metabolic health.^†” –Satya Jonnalagadda, PhD, MBA, RDN, Vice President of Scientific & Clinical Affairs at Medifast

More Than a Buzzword 

Metabolic health is more than the trend of the moment — it’s the foundation of how your body functions, influencing everything from energy levels to long-term health. 

By understanding the key drivers of metabolic health, recognizing poor metabolic health and taking action to improve it, you can transform how you feel today and in the future. 

OPTAVIA’s Commitment 

At OPTAVIA, we don’t just talk about health — we champion it. 

Backed by clinical research and grounded in science that works in real life, our structured plans deliver results you can count on. As highlighted in our recent press release, these findings mark a pivotal moment in advancing metabolic health and delivering against our mission. 

Read the full press release

*O’Hearn, M, Lauren, B, Wong, J. et al. Trends and Disparities in Cardiometabolic Health Among U.S. Adults, 1999-2018. JACC. 2022 Jul, 80 (2) 138–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2022.04.046 

**Arterburn et al., 2019. In a clinical study, 98% of lean mass was retained on the Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan® at 16 weeks. 

†Cesaro A, et al. Visceral adipose tissue and residual cardiovascular risk: a pathological link and new therapeutic options. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2023;10:1187735. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1187735