Why is your fat talking to you?

In the latest solo episode, Dr. Emily Cooper, Andrea Taylor, and Mark Wright explore groundbreaking research into metabolic health. Learn why the scale doesn't always reflect metabolic risk, and discover the science behind fat's active role in the body.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Metabolic dysfunction cannot be judged by scale weight alone.

• Visceral fat is a stronger predictor of heart failure than BMI.

• Hormonal environments profoundly affect fat storage and health risks.

NOTABLE QUOTE

"Your fat is talking to you." — Andrea Taylor

LINKS & RESOURCES

Obesity Reviews Paper

Immunological Reviews Journal Article

European Congress on Obesity Study

Links & Resources

Podcast Home: fatsciencepodcast.com

Cooper Center for Metabolism: coopermetabolic.com

Resources from Dr. Cooper: coopermetabolic.com/resources

Join Our Community: patreon.com/cw/FatSciencePodcast

Submit Your Question: questions@fatsciencepodcast.com or dr.c@fatsciencepodcast.com

Fat Science is supported by the Diabesity Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to effective, science-based metabolic care.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.

Is your brain starving for glucose?

In this episode, Dr. Emily Cooper explores the critical role of the brain as a metabolic organ and its dependence on glucose and insulin. Listeners will learn why good sleep and a holistic lifestyle are vital for cognitive health.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The brain uses about 20% of your body's energy at rest.

• Insulin plays a non-fuel role in brain function, supporting neural connections and mood.

• Sleep is essential for the brain's waste clearance system, the glymphatic system.

• Insulin resistance in the brain is linked to cognitive decline and dementia.

• Exercise, a balanced diet, and social engagement are key to brain health.

NOTABLE QUOTE

"The brain is the most metabolically active organ in our body." — Dr. Emily Cooper

LINKS & RESOURCES

JAMA: US POINTER Study on Cognitive Decline

Novo Nordisk: EVOKE & EVOKE Plus Trials

Links & Resources

Podcast Home: fatsciencepodcast.com

Cooper Center for Metabolism: coopermetabolic.com

Resources from Dr. Cooper: coopermetabolic.com/resources

Join Our Community: patreon.com/cw/FatSciencePodcast

Submit Your Question: questions@fatsciencepodcast.com or dr.c@fatsciencepodcast.com

Fat Science is supported by the Diabesity Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to effective, science-based metabolic care.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.

Is it normal for GLP-1 medications to become less effective over time?

Dr. Emily Cooper discusses listener questions about the nuances of metabolic health and the real reasons behind weight fluctuations and food cravings. With insights into GLP-1 medications, mechanical eating, and more, the episode aims to debunk myths and provide science-based encouragement.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Trusting your body's hunger signals can prevent metabolic slowdown.

• Mechanical eating can help manage sugar cravings and maintain metabolic health.

• Navigating pediatric metabolic issues requires understanding genetic influences and appropriate medical intervention.

NOTABLE QUOTE

"It's not your fault. Trust your body and step up to the higher end of your metabolic flexibility." — Dr. Emily Cooper

LINKS & RESOURCES

American Board of Obesity Medicine: obesitymedicine.org

Links & Resources

Podcast Home: fatsciencepodcast.com

Cooper Center for Metabolism: coopermetabolic.com

Resources from Dr. Cooper: coopermetabolic.com/resources

Join Our Community: patreon.com/cw/FatSciencePodcast

Submit Your Question: questions@fatsciencepodcast.com or dr.c@fatsciencepodcast.com

Fat Science is supported by the Diabesity Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to effective, science-based metabolic care.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.

Have you ever wondered why your body holds onto weight despite your best efforts?

In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Cooper reveals groundbreaking research showing that 100% of healthy adults carry at least six different plastic-related chemicals in their bodies daily. These endocrine disruptors don't just affect your hormones - they may be stored in your fat tissue and could be a hidden driver of metabolic dysfunction. The good news? New Australian research proves you can dramatically reduce these chemicals in just one week with targeted changes.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Every single person tested had at least 6 plastic chemicals in their urine, with food packaging being the primary source

• Participants cut phthalate levels by 38-54% and BPA by 60% in just 7 days with adjustments in reducing plastic exposure in food and food packaging

• Ultra-processed foods introduce plastic chemicals through multiple processing and packaging steps

• Certain chemicals like DEHP may be stored in fat tissue and released during weight loss

• Heat accelerates plastic migration into food - avoid microwaving in plastic and pouring hot food into plastic containers

• Simple swaps like choosing fresh over canned foods and using glass containers make significant impacts

• The EPA research office studying these chemicals was recently eliminated, removing key consumer protections

NOTABLE QUOTE

"People who switched to the low plastic food and kitchenware cut the phthalates excretion by 38 to 54% in one week and they cut their BPA excretion by 60% in one week." — Dr. Emily Cooper

Links & Resources

Podcast Home: fatsciencepodcast.com

Cooper Center for Metabolism: coopermetabolic.com

Resources from Dr. Cooper: coopermetabolic.com/resources

Join Our Community: patreon.com/cw/FatSciencePodcast

Submit Your Question: questions@fatsciencepodcast.com or dr.c@fatsciencepodcast.com

Fat Science is supported by the Diabesity Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to effective, science-based metabolic care.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.

What happens when GLP-1 medications stop working the way you hoped they would? In this mailbag episode, Dr. Emily Cooper answers listener questions about fasting, insulin levels, PCOS, lipedema, plateaus on Zepbound, and the complicated reality behind metabolic dysfunction. From the dangers of under-fueling to why individualized treatment matters so much, this conversation unpacks the science behind weight resistance with clarity and compassion.Key Takeaways

• Why fasting and restrictive eating may worsen metabolic adaptation

• The real role insulin plays in metabolic health

• How PCOS and lipedema complicate weight loss treatment

• Why some people plateau on GLP-1 medications over time

• The importance of fueling, muscle preservation, and individualized care

Links & Resources

Podcast Home: fatsciencepodcast.com

Cooper Center for Metabolism: coopermetabolic.com

Resources from Dr. Cooper: coopermetabolic.com/resources

Join Our Community: patreon.com/cw/FatSciencePodcast

Submit Your Question: questions@fatsciencepodcast.com or dr.c@fatsciencepodcast.com

Fat Science is supported by the Diabesity Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to effective, science-based metabolic care.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.

Could you have metabolic dysfunction even at a normal weight?

This episode challenges everything we've been taught about weight and health. Dr. Cooper reveals that up to 25% of normal-weight people have metabolic syndrome, yet they're rarely screened because doctors assume they're healthy based on appearance alone.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Weight and metabolic health are not the same thing - you can be metabolically unhealthy at any size

• Normal weight people with metabolic dysfunction are often overlooked and undertreated by healthcare providers

• Key screening tests include fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammatory markers like HSCRP

• Metabolic dysfunction can start in your 20s and take decades to develop into serious disease

• Both normal weight and higher weight patients face bias - normal weight people aren't screened enough, while higher weight people have everything blamed on their weight

• Early screening and treatment can prevent catastrophic health outcomes later in life

• The liver plays a crucial role in metabolism and can become insulin resistant regardless of body weight

NOTABLE QUOTE

"You cannot tell anything about someone's health from their outside, what they look like or what, even what they're doing necessarily, but definitely not their body size. So you can be healthy or unhealthy at any size body, and I think that's what's overlooked quite a bit." — Dr. Emily Cooper

Links & Resources

Podcast Home: fatsciencepodcast.com

Cooper Center for Metabolism: coopermetabolic.com

Resources from Dr. Cooper: coopermetabolic.com/resources

Join Our Community: patreon.com/cw/FatSciencePodcast

Submit Your Question: questions@fatsciencepodcast.com or dr.c@fatsciencepodcast.com

Appendix: Key References

Primary literature supporting this episode

• Wang et al. Prevalence of Metabolically Unhealthy Normal Weight and Its Influence on the Risk of Diabetes. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2023.

• Review: Beyond BMI — Rethinking Obesity Metrics and Cardiovascular Risk in the Era of Precision Medicine. Journal of Clinical Medicine, December 2025.

• Korean meta-analyses on metabolic dysfunction phenotypes and cardiometabolic risk, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences Journal review, 2024.

• Frontiers in Nutrition, January 2026. Associations of metabolic heterogeneity with the progression of cardiometabolic multimorbidity.

• International Journal of Obesity, September 2025. Cardiovascular risk factors associated with metabolic health phenotypes.

Mechanism references

• MASLD — metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease — nomenclature and clinical framework. AASLD/EASL consensus, 2023.

• Insulin signaling, adipose tissue dysfunction, and ectopic fat deposition — reviews on the upstream-downstream relationship.

• Epicardial adipose tissue and cardiovascular dysfunction — Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, January 2026.

Fat Science is supported by the Diabesity Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to effective, science-based metabolic care.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.

Have you been told your metabolism is broken and there's nothing you can do about it?

This mailbag episode tackles tough questions about medication effectiveness, unexpected side effects, and the complex realities of treating metabolic dysfunction. Dr. Cooper addresses why some people regain weight while still on GLP-1s, explores the connection between hair loss and weight loss medications, and explains why leptin levels can remain stubbornly low even with proper nutrition.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Weight regain while on GLP-1 medications is more common than most people realize

• Hair loss from weight loss medications is usually related to nutrient deficiencies, not the medication itself

• Leptin dysfunction involves both hormone levels and signaling pathways throughout the body

• Hypoglycemia after meals often indicates complex metabolic issues that require specialized testing

• Starting elderly patients on GLP-1s requires careful monitoring of nutrition, blood pressure, and side effects

• Mechanical eating differs from intuitive eating and remains important even when medications are working

• Annual weight loss rates of 10% or higher indicate medications are still effective

NOTABLE QUOTE

"It is not uncommon to see the weight go up while on these meds, contrary to what people think. They're great, but we always wanna point out some people don't even respond to these." — Dr. Emily Cooper

Links & Resources

Podcast Home: fatsciencepodcast.com

Cooper Center for Metabolism: coopermetabolic.com

Resources from Dr. Cooper: coopermetabolic.com/resources

Join Our Community: patreon.com/cw/FatSciencePodcast

Submit Your Question: questions@fatsciencepodcast.com or dr.c@fatsciencepodcast.com

Fat Science is supported by the Diabesity Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to effective, science-based metabolic care.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.

Ever wonder why you can improve your health but still feel like you're failing because the scale isn't cooperating?

Dr. Cooper breaks down groundbreaking new clinical guidelines from three major obesity organizations that are completely reframing what success in obesity treatment actually means. For the first time, these groups are saying quality of life, energy levels, and overall health matter more than the number on the scale.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Three major obesity organizations worked collaboratively to issue guidelines prioritizing quality of life over weight loss as primary treatment goals

• Guidelines explicitly address medical stigma as a structural barrier to care requiring systemic change

• Treatment is positioned as long-term management similar to other chronic conditions like thyroid disorders

• Document notably avoids calorie restriction language, focusing instead on healthy lifestyle alongside medication

• Setmelanotide receives strong recommendation for rare genetic obesity conditions with available genetic testing

• Strong medication recommendations now include GLP-1s like semaglutide and tirzepatide, plus bupropion-naltrexone combination

NOTABLE QUOTE

"Nobody ever asked. Nobody ever looked. Nobody ever said anything. I was like, 'I think there's something wrong with my metabolism or something because I'm not eating a ton.' They're like, 'Well, you must be.' And I'm like, 'N- n- no, I don't think so. I mean, unless it's happening when I'm sleeping. I don't know.'" — Andrea Taylor

Reference Link

Alexander L, Purnell JQ, et al. Pharmacological management of obesity in adults: a clinical guidance statement from The Obesity Society, the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Obesity Action Coalition. Obesity. 2026;34(4):851–870. doi:10.1002/oby.70164 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oby.70164

Links & Resources

Podcast Home: fatsciencepodcast.com

Cooper Center for Metabolism: coopermetabolic.com

Resources from Dr. Cooper: coopermetabolic.com/resources

Join Our Community: patreon.com/cw/FatSciencePodcast

Submit Your Question: questions@fatsciencepodcast.com or dr.c@fatsciencepodcast.com

Fat Science is supported by the Diabesity Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to effective, science-based metabolic care.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.