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Fat Science

Fat Science

By: Dr Emily Cooper
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 Fat Science is a podcast on a mission to explain where our fat really comes from and why it won’t go (and stay!) away. In each episode, we share little-known facts and personal experiences to dispel misconceptions, reduce stigma, and instill hope. Fat Science is committed to creating a world where people are empowered with accurate information about metabolism and recognize that fat isn’t a failure. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice.Dr Emily Cooper Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease
Episodes
  • The Latest GLP-1 News

    The Latest GLP-1 News
    Dec 15 2025
    This week on Fat Science, Dr. Emily Cooper, Mark Wright, and Andrea Taylor unpack the biggest GLP-1 headlines from around the world—from the World Health Organization’s first-ever GLP-1 obesity guidelines to access battles, brain research, and the coming wave of generics and new meds.Dr. Cooper explains what the WHO’s move really means for patients, why long-term treatment matters, and how policy decisions in places like California and India could reshape who actually benefits from these breakthroughs. This isn’t hype—it’s metabolic medicine, health-system reality, and grounded hope.Key Questions AnsweredWhy is the WHO’s new guidance on GLP-1s for obesity such a historic turning point?What does it mean to treat obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease—not a willpower problem?Why do GLP-1s usually need to be taken long term, and how is that similar to blood pressure or cholesterol meds?How should GLP-1s be paired with metabolic care—fueling, sleep, movement, and real clinical oversight?What did the “stone cold negative” Alzheimer’s trials show—and why are addiction trials still promising?How could India’s launch of Ozempic and future generics impact global pricing and access?What new GLP-1 and metabolic drugs are on the horizon (like orforglipron, higher-dose oral semaglutide, and GLP-1/amylin combos)?Key TakeawaysWHO is catching up to the science. Obesity is affirmed as a chronic, relapsing disease that deserves pharmacologic treatment—not “eat less, move more” lectures or moral judgment.Long-term meds are the rule, not the exception. Stopping GLP-1s usually leads to weight and risk factors returning, just like stopping blood-pressure meds. That’s physiology, not failure.Behavior ≠ blame. WHO calls for pairing GLP-1s with “behavioral” care—but Dr. Cooper reframes this around fueling, sleep, and supported habits, not deprivation or diet culture.Access is the battleground. Even as WHO elevates GLP-1s, programs like California’s Medi-Cal are cutting coverage for obesity, a move Dr. Cooper calls penny-wise and pound-foolish given the downstream costs of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.Brain outcomes are nuanced. Large oral semaglutide trials failed to slow Alzheimer’s, but GLP-1s (and other obesity meds) still show promise for addiction by modulating reward pathways and the “internal drug factory” (POMC).Global markets are shifting. India’s huge population, looming Ozempic patent expirations, and emerging generics could eventually drive prices down—especially as more manufacturers compete.New meds may expand options. Orforglipron (a small-molecule oral GLP-1), higher-dose oral semaglutide, and a weekly GLP-1/amylin combo could bring more flexible, powerful, and potentially more affordable tools.Dr. Cooper’s Actionable TipsThink of obesity treatment like any chronic disease: long-term, medical, and individualized—not a short-term “diet.”If you’re using a GLP-1, pair it with real metabolic care: consistent fueling (not under-eating), good sleep, and appropriately fueled exercise.Be cautious with “cheap” or unsanctioned online GLP-1 options—especially if you’re being squeezed out of coverage. Safety and oversight matter.Remember there are other evidence-based obesity meds beyond GLP-1s; if you can’t tolerate or access one class, ask your clinician about alternatives.Notable Quote“Your metabolism is a lifelong issue. It’s not a headache.”— Andrea TaylorLinks & ResourcesPodcast Home: Fat Science Podcast Website – https://fatsciencepodcast.com/ Cooper Center for Metabolism & Fat Science Episodes: https://coopermetabolic.com/podcast/ Resources and education from Dr. Cooper: https://coopermetabolic.com/resources/ Submit a Show Question: questions@fatsciencepodcast.comDr. Cooper direct show email: dr.c@fatsciencepodcast.com*Fat Science is your source for breaking diet myths and advancing the science of true metabolic health. No diets, no agendas—just science that makes you feel better.
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    40 mins
  • Listener Mailbag: Set Point Theory, Trauma & Metabolism, and Why 1200 Calories Can Still Lead to Weight Gain

    Listener Mailbag: Set Point Theory, Trauma & Metabolism, and Why 1200 Calories Can Still Lead to Weight Gain
    Dec 8 2025

    This week on Fat Science, Dr. Emily Cooper, Mark Wright, and Andrea Taylor answer listener questions about BMI cutoffs, weight cycling, metabolic adaptation, trauma, GLP-1 differences, and why some people gain weight on ultra-low calories. Dr. Cooper explains what’s really happening inside the metabolic system and why individualized treatment—not dieting—creates sustainable change.

    Key Questions Answered

    • If my BMI doesn’t “qualify” for GLP-1s, is Naltrexone + Bupropion helpful—and what labs matter first?
    • Does being overweight always indicate metabolic dysfunction, and why are U.S. rates so high?
    • If diets damage metabolism, what do you do when you’re already 80 pounds overweight?
    • How long does it take for leptin and ghrelin to stabilize with mechanical eating?
    • How can someone gain weight on 1,200 calories/day?
    • After sleeve gastrectomy, how do you eat enough while on a GLP-1?
    • Is set point theory real—and how does the melanocortin pathway influence it?
    • If obesity runs in my family, will I need meds like Zepbound for life?
    • How do trauma and stress alter long-term metabolic health?
    • Can GLP-1s offset weight gain from steroids, mood meds, or hormones?
    • Why might Ozempic work well while Mounjaro causes weight gain?

    Key Takeaways

    1. BMI rules don’t reflect metabolic truth.
    A mid-20s BMI can still mask significant dysfunction, especially with weight cycling.

    2. Weight cycling is metabolically stressful.
    Repeated losses/regains increase visceral fat, insulin abnormalities, and cardiovascular risk.

    3. Obesity is a multi-hormonal disease.
    Most people need pharmacology plus sleep, fueling, and movement—not restrictive dieting.

    4. Metabolic adaptation is powerful.
    Under-fueling lowers thyroid output, suppresses fat-burning, and slows metabolism dramatically.

    5. After bariatric surgery or on GLP-1s, frequency matters.
    Frequent, nutrient-dense snacks protect muscle, metabolism, and energy.

    6. Set point changes with better signaling.
    GLP-1s and related therapies help the brain accurately detect weight and lower the defended level.

    7. Genetics often mean lifelong support.
    Family patterns of obesity usually indicate long-term need for metabolic medication.

    8. Trauma amplifies metabolic risk.
    Childhood trauma disrupts IGF-1, sleep, stress hormones, insulin, leptin, and ghrelin.

    9. Medications can cause weight gain—GLP-1s can help counteract it.
    Steroids, mood meds, hormonal agents, and more can be metabolically unfriendly.

    10. “Newer” isn’t always better.
    Some people respond poorly to the GIP component in Mounjaro/Zepbound. Individual physiology rules.

    Dr. Cooper’s Actionable Tips

    • Request deeper evaluation: DEXA, visceral fat, fasting insulin/glucose, leptin, reproductive hormones.
    • Stop restrictive dieting permanently—mechanical eating protects metabolic stability.
    • Work with a fueling-focused dietitian (often ED-trained).
    • Review your medication list for drugs known to cause weight gain.
    • Don’t switch GLP-1s or chase higher doses if your current regimen works.

    Notable Quote

    “Obesity isn’t a willpower problem. It’s a metabolic disease, and when the underlying system is supported, the body finally has permission to change.” — Dr. Emily Cooper

    Links & Resources

    • Podcast Home: Fat Science Podcast Website
    • Submit a Show Question: questions@fatsciencepodcast.com or dr.c@fatsciencepodcast.com
    • Dr. Emily Cooper on LinkedIn
    • Mark Wright on LinkedIn
    • Andrea Taylor on Instagram


    Fat Science is your source for breaking diet myths and advancing the science of true metabolic health. No diets, no agendas—just science that makes you feel better. The show is informational only and does not constitute medical advice.
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    47 mins
  • A Patient’s Guide to Taking Back Your Health

    A Patient’s Guide to Taking Back Your Health
    Dec 1 2025
    Dr. Emily Cooper, Mark Wright, and Andrea Taylor talk with Maria from Buffalo, a longtime listener who shares her lifelong journey with obesity, psoriatic arthritis, and binge eating—and how finally understanding the science of metabolism gave her hope. Maria describes early childhood weight gain, joint damage, and years of restrictive dieting and food shame, then explains how GLP‑1 therapy (Zepbound) plus mechanical eating helped her lose about 50 pounds while eating more food, more often, and with more joy. Dr. Cooper breaks down the underlying biology—leptin, weight set point, the melanocortin pathway, and the impact of pain, sleep, and chronic inflammation on hunger hormones—and reframes obesity as a symptom of deeper metabolic problems, not a character flaw. This episode doubles as a practical, emotionally honest guide for patients trying to navigate a traditional health‑care system without a dedicated metabolic specialist.Key Questions AnsweredHow can rapid childhood weight gain, autoimmune disease, and early joint damage signal serious metabolic dysfunction rather than “too much food” or “not enough exercise”?What is leptin, what does “too low for your size” mean, and how does that affect hunger, weight set point, and weight loss?What is monogenic obesity testing, who might qualify for free genetic screening, and how can results inform (but not necessarily change) treatment?How do GLP‑1 medications like Zepbound work with mechanical eating so someone can lose weight while eating more regularly and with more variety?Which labs (fasting glucose, insulin, leptin, etc.) help uncover hidden metabolic issues, and when is a mixed‑meal test more useful than a simple fasting snapshot?When should brain‑active medications (such as bupropion/naltrexone combinations) be considered, and what trade‑offs and side effects matter?How can patients respectfully push for tests, challenge old “eat less, move more” advice, and set boundaries around weigh‑ins and stigmatizing language?Key TakeawaysIt’s not your fault: Rapid childhood weight gain and early‑onset obesity often reflect serious metabolic biology, including rare gene variants, growth phases, and hormone signaling—not gluttony or laziness.Obesity is a symptom: Excess weight is better understood as a side effect of underlying metabolic fires (leptin issues, insulin resistance, brain signaling problems) that need proper diagnosis and treatment.Leptin really matters: Low leptin for your size can act as a biological brake on weight loss, and chronic dieting, under‑fueling, over‑exercise, and some high‑dose supplements can suppress it further.GLP‑1s plus mechanical eating: Medications like Zepbound can quiet food noise and support weight loss, but scheduled, balanced eating is essential to avoid under‑fueling, protect muscle, and support hormones.Pain and sleep are metabolic: Chronic pain and poor sleep increase hunger hormones like ghrelin and disrupt repair processes, worsening metabolic dysfunction unless directly addressed.Script your visits: Bring a printed list of diagnoses, medications, and questions; use patient portals to request specific tests; and practice simple boundary phrases around weighing and diet talk.Notable Quote“This isn’t all just caused by diets and things like that. There was an original metabolic problem. It was amplified because of the food restriction and the psychology around it, but you are a product of cumulative insults to your system—not a moral failure.” — Dr. Emily CooperLinks & ResourcesPodcast Home: https://fatsciencepodcast.com/Cooper Center for Metabolism & Fat Science Episodes: https://coopermetabolic.com/podcast/Resources and education from Dr. Cooper: https://coopermetabolic.com/resources/Submit a Show Question: questions@fatsciencepodcast.comDr. Cooper direct show email: dr.c@fatsciencepodcast.comFat Science is informational only and does not constitute medical advice.
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    59 mins
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