AI and LLMs for optimal health

Beta testing Nara, Wysa for mental health, Rizz AI and Weight loss drugs - Omada, Noom etc

It’s been a big week in digital health and I want to share some of these developments and what might help you achieve your health goals.

One of the most significant recent developments in AI is the rise of large language models (LLMs). LLMs are trained on massive datasets of text and code, and they can generate text, translate languages, write different kinds of creative content, and answer your questions in an informative way.

This has huge potential when it comes to our personal health and I’ve been trying out a few solutions.

Firstly, Nara -

I’ve been beta testing ChatGPT powered SMS nutrition assistant over the last few weeks. So far I have found it very useful as I can text it after my meals and it calculates both my macros and calories remaining. It also designed a workout and meal plan according to my needs. Other great use cases have been the ability to work out what to order at restaurant that fit your nutrition requirements as recipes and ingredients to buy at a supermarket. Nara is like an AI companion that checks in with you every day via SMS. As we pivoted to a similar model with Crescent Health before it got acquired by Better up last month for sleep coaching. I’m beginning to wonder what is the best balance between human and AI coaching. It can be great for accountability and endless information to make real time optimal decisions.

We know as the surgeon general announced that loneliness is on the rise. If you’ve not tried Replika AI it may be worth it. As Shaan Puri recently tweeted the next Zuckerburg is coding an AI companion right now.

Interestingly the start up Wysa - mental health chat bot is working with Vitality and there was some interesting research published this month.

Wysa uses Natural Language Processing to understand the user’s free text inputs with the Wysa AI chatbot. Unlike generative AI, every Wysa response is written by a qualified psychologist and tested for clinical safety. An automated self-care pathway is generated by Wysa based on the triage scores and AI conversation. The AI chat bot then guides the user through Wysa’s library of evidence-based mental wellbeing exercises. Wysa also sends notifications at agreed check-in times and recommends specific exercises based on the needs of the user, such as sleep stories in the evening. Weekly reports and personal progress tracking affirm the efforts of the user.

The Wysa x @Vitality_UK pilot saw statistically and clinically significant improvements in moderate to severe #anxiety and #depression after just 28 days. Upto a 40 percent reduction overall.

When I play tennis I often use an app called Swing Tennis which analyses my game and records my shots. I can see LLMs being used here as an AI tennis coach which could improve shot selection or technique based on the data captured.

Let’s take a look at the headlines-

I’ve recently become a clinical lead at Right angled a company which does blood testing, DNA testing as well as prescribe medications and weight loss is an emerging category. So I’ve been trying to become an expert in this space. Ozempic/ Wegovy (Semaglutide) has had a lot of buzz due to all the sharing on social media on platforms such as Tiktok and Instagram. Clinical trials have shown weight loss of up to 15 percent on average over 6 months. Some have also claimed it helps cure all addictive behaviours such as smoking and even shopping. This has gotten a lot of people interested. We know obesity and addiction are on the rise. So let’s dive in to what is happening in the space-

Noom med -

Noom has announced its new service Noom Med which will offer GLP-1 weight loss drug - Semaglutide to patients.

But Noom noted - Question : How important are lifestyle changes to successful long term weight loss? 

Answer: In the clinical trials that got medications approved, a lifestyle component was always present-a monthly visit to a nutrition counselor, 30 minutes of exercise & a reduced calorie diet. To be successful, a lifestyle program needs to be something people want to engage with and meet members where they are, with both accessible tech and live human interaction.

I see this as an interesting development in the digital health space as Noom already has a successful weight loss service using behavioural interventions. This could supercharge their offering as we see a combination to be most effective.

Omada health

I’ve been lucky to host Sean Duffy Ceo of Omada on Clubhouse. Whilst Omada is staying away from prescriptions they are doubling down on a Behavioral program to assist those on weight loss meds.

The Chief Medical Officer posted- ‘I am so proud to share an announcement from Omada Health today about our new GLP-1 strategy. We believe the key to getting the most value - clinically and economically - from these medications is to ensure that patients have access to a best-in-class behavior change program. You can learn more about these updates here and stay tuned for more in the weeks to come’.

Dating? Rizz AI

Finally as someone who founded a matchmaking app - Ameli app in the pandemic focused on relationship wellness this is an area I often think about. Rizz AI may be the future of communication. It’s getting a lot of downloads right now as it allows the user to upload a screenshot of a message and get a witty reply or a reply in any tone preferred for messages. This may be the future of dating or incorporated into dating apps. Bumble recently acquired Offical and app to help optimise therapy by gamification so I see a lot happening in the space.

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