a) Significant co-morbidity that, in the opinion of the investigators would preclude participation in the study (eg, current treatment for cancer). b) Previous diagnosis of monogenic etiology of type 2 diabetes such as MODY (maturity onset of diabetes in youth) or secondary diabetes (steroid use, Cushing's disease, acromegaly). c) Significant cardiovascular history. d) History of hemoglobinopathies (sickle cell anemia or thalassemias, sideroblastic anemia). e) History of unstable or rapidly progressive renal disease. f) History of alcohol or drug abuse. g) Psychiatric or cognitive disorder that will, in the opinion of investigators, limit the patient's ability to comply with the study medications and monitoring. h) Administration of any other study drug or participation in a clinical research trial within 30 days of planned enrollment to this study (or a longer period if dictated by local regulatory authorities). i) Any condition, which in the investigator's opinion may render the subject unable to complete the study or may pose significant risk to the subject. j) Immunocompromised individuals such as subjects that have undergone organ transplantation or subjects diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus. k) Subjects on a commercial weight loss program with ongoing weight loss, or on an intensive exercise program.