This week on Fat Science, Dr. Emily Cooper, Andrea Taylor, and Mark Wright open the Fat Science mailbag to answer listener questions from around the globe.

This episode covers real-world metabolic challenges—from navigating calorie restriction and GLP-1 medications to the complexities of bariatric surgery, prednisone’s impact on weight, and menopause.

Dr. Cooper offers clear explanations and practical advice for healthcare professionals and patients alike on understanding metabolic dysfunction, interpreting lab results, and setting realistic weight loss expectations.

Key Takeaways:

• Calorie restriction and intermittent fasting can destabilize metabolism, making recovery complex for some patients—gradual changes and medical monitoring are essential.
• Bariatric surgery can be an effective intervention for those with significant insulin resistance or high hunger signals. Pre-surgery metabolic testing (like insulin, glucose, and ghrelin levels) is valuable in assessing the likely benefit.
• Plateaus after surgery, persistent weight struggles, and the role of genetics highlight the need for root-cause investigation, not just symptom management.
• Prednisone and hormone therapies (including MHT for menopause) can affect metabolic health; small dietary adjustments, body composition testing, and tailored exercise are crucial for optimizing outcomes.
• Guidance on GLP-1 medication maintenance: Most patients benefit from staying on weight loss meds long-term, but dose adjustment is possible when side effects arise. Stability over many months is critical before considering any taper.

Personal Stories & Practical Advice:

• Andrea shares her experience with bariatric surgery and ongoing metabolic management, emphasizing realistic expectations and the benefit of medication-surgery synergy.
• Listeners ask: how to evaluate readiness to stop weight loss meds, address side effects, and balance hormone needs during menopause.

Resources from the episode:

Fat Science is a podcast on a mission to share the real science behind why we get fat, addressing stigma and confusion with facts, hope, and empowering stories.

• Updates on Dr. Cooper’s upcoming virtual metabolic health training—ideal for practitioners in the UK and beyond.
• Information about Melanocortin pathway testing programs for severe, persistent obesity.https://uncoveringrareobesity.com/
• Link to previous show. “GLP-1s: Will I Have to Take Them Forever?” (5/19/25)https://open.spotify.com/episode/1GZA71gTMSz0idbnEYblVO?si=gJXxNkbYTHykhNDw0Ebltg
• Connect with Dr. Emily Cooper on LinkedIn.
• Connect with Mark Wright on LinkedIn.
• Connect with Andrea Taylor on Instagram.

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. We are 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.

If you have a question for Dr. Cooper, a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at info@diabesityinstitute.org ordr.c@fatsciencepodcast.com.

Fat Science is supported by the non-profit Diabesity Institute which is on a mission to increase access to effective, science-based medical care for those suffering from or at risk for diabesity. https://diabesityresearchfoundation.org/

This week on Fat Science, Dr. Emily Cooper, Andrea Taylor, and Mark Wright unpack the latest breakthroughs in metabolic medications and why individual biology requires personalized treatment.

Dr. Cooper explains how modern therapies for metabolic dysfunction go far beyond the old “one pill fixes all” approach. Discover how hormone-based medications like GLP-1 agonists are changing obesity and diabetes care, why medication response can differ drastically between individuals, and what the future holds for tailored metabolic treatments.

You’ll come away with a clearer understanding of why effective weight management isn’t just about diet or willpower—it’s about precision medicine.

Key Takeaways:

• Metabolic dysfunction is a complex, multi-hormonal disease; no single medication will work for everyone.
• New therapies, including dual and triple hormone agonists (like GLP-1, GIP, and amylin analogs), offer synergistic and individualized effects.
• Clinical observation shows that increasing doses or the “latest” medication doesn’t guarantee better results—some people may even find that their progress disappears after increasing to maximal doses.
• Lab markers (like ghrelin and leptin) could help personalize treatment, but cost and availability limit widespread testing.
• Concerns about muscle loss with GLP-1 drugs are common, but clinically, the risk mostly depends on nutrition, strength routines and muscle mass at baseline.
• Accessibility and cost remain barriers; new small-molecule drugs may improve affordability in the near future.

Personal Stories & Practical Advice:

• Andrea relates how understanding her true metabolic issues, rather than just dieting, led to sustainable health changes.
• Dr. Cooper describes her clinic’s approach to measuring body composition and tracking lean mass to avoid unwanted muscle loss.
• Listeners are encouraged to work with knowledgeable providers, beware of “one size fits all” narratives, and stay hopeful as newer, more effective treatments emerge.

Resources from the episode:

• Connect with Dr. Emily Cooper on LinkedIn.
• Connect with Mark Wright on LinkedIn.
• Connect with Andrea Taylor on Instagram.

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. We are 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.

If you have a question for Dr. Cooper, a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at info@diabesityinstitute.org ordr.c@fatsciencepodcast.com.

Fat Science is supported by the non-profit Diabesity Institute which is on a mission to increase access to effective, science-based medical care for those suffering from or at risk for diabesity. https://diabesityresearchfoundation.org/

This week on Fat Science, Dr. Emily Cooper, Andrea Taylor, and Mark Wright revisit the critical topic of endocrine disruptors—chemicals in our environment that interfere with hormones and impact metabolism, weight, and overall health.

Dr. Cooper breaks down how everyday exposures to substances like phthalates, BPA, and others can have generational effects on metabolic pathways and disease risk. The episode highlights the link between these chemicals and the rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and even cancer, while offering practical steps for minimizing exposure in daily life.

Key Takeaways:

• Endocrine disruptors are chemicals found not only in food but in everyday items such as furniture, makeup, plastics, and baby products, making exposure widespread and difficult to avoid.
• These chemicals can mimic or block hormones, disrupting critical metabolic and developmental processes, with effects that may pass to future generations.
• Regulatory oversight in the U.S. is decreasing, with significant EPA budget cuts threatening existing screening and cleanup programs targeting endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
• Air quality improvements, especially through HEPA filtration, and making informed choices during preconception, pregnancy, and early childhood, can help reduce exposure.
• Consumer awareness, advocacy, and using resources like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) app are key strategies for individuals seeking to lower risk.

Personal Stories & Practical Advice:

• Andrea shares the everyday struggle to find safe, affordable alternatives and the surprise of seeing improvements in metabolic hormone levels after changing air filters and reducing workplace exposures.
• Dr. Cooper discusses strategies to minimize risk during critical windows such as preconception and pregnancy, and emphasizes the power of informed consumer choices in driving safer product development.

Resources from the episode:

• Environmental Working Group (EWG) resources and app for product safety ratings
• U.S. EPA Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP)
• PubMed for scientific research on specific chemicals (BPA, phthalates, PFAS)
• Connect with Dr. Emily Cooper on LinkedIn.
• Connect with Mark Wright on LinkedIn.
• Connect with Andrea Taylor on Instagram.

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. We are 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.

If you have a question for Dr. Cooper, a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at info@diabesityinstitute.org or dr.c@fatsciencepodcast.com.

Fat Science is supported by the non-profit Diabesity Institute, which aims to increase access to effective, science-based medical care for those suffering from or at risk for diabesity. https://diabesityresearchfoundation.org/