Listener Mailbag – Practical Metabolic Care, GLP‑1 Myths, and the Dangers of Microdosing
Release Date: 11/24/2025
Why GLP-1 Medications Work Even When the Scale Doesn't Move
Fat Science
What if the scale isn't moving, but your health is dramatically improving?
If you've ever felt discouraged because the number on the scale won't budge—even on a GLP-1 medication—this episode will change how you think about these drugs. Dr. Cooper breaks down the research showing that the biggest benefits have nothing to do with weight loss. It's all about metabolic health.
This Week on Fat Science
Dr. Emily Cooper, Mark Wright, and Andrea Taylor expl
info_outline
Mailbag: Food Tracking, Mechanical Eating Troubleshooting, COVID & Metabolism, and Metformin + GLP-1 Synergy
Fat Science
This week on Fat Science, Dr. Emily Cooper, Mark Wright, and Andrea Taylor answer listener mailbag questions from California, the UK, France, Washington, Wyoming, and beyond.
The team breaks down why Dr. Cooper does not recommend calorie tracking (and when limited tracking can make sense), how to build confidence in eating without data, and why “mechanical eating” sometimes needs medical customization—especially for people with slow gut transit or gastroparesis-like symptoms. info_outline
Mailbag: GLP-1 Weight Regain, Meals vs Snacks, and Why Some People Don’t Respond
Fat Science
his week on Fat Science, Dr. Emily Cooper, Mark Wright, and Andrea Taylor answer listener mailbag questions that get to the heart of metabolic health. The team explains the real difference between meals and snacks, discusses whether GLP-1 medications can be appropriate for children in complex cases, explores why some people appear to be “non-responders” to Wegovy, and breaks down why alarming headlines about rapid weight regain miss the bigger metabolic picture. They also explain how to set
info_outline
What the Headlines Get Wrong About GLP-1 Drugs and Metabolism
Fat Science
This week on Fat Science, Dr. Emily Cooper, Mark Wright, and Andrea Taylor break down two GLP-1 studies that challenge a major media myth: GLP-1 medications don’t drive weight loss just because people eat less. Instead, drugs like tirzepatide and semaglutide create direct metabolic shifts—including increased fat oxidation and improved fuel partitioning—regardless of appetite.
The team also explores mechanical eating, the psychological impact of “diet food,” and Andrea’s 13-yea
info_outline
GLP-1 Mailbag: Weight Regain, Leptin Resistance, Hypoglycemia & Why Calories Aren’t the Problem
Fat Science
This week on Fat Science, Dr. Emily Cooper, Mark Wright, and Andrea Taylor tackle a wide-ranging mailbag episode with listener questions from the U.S., UK, and Europe. Topics include unexpected weight regain on GLP-1s, post-meal sleepiness and hypoglycemia, metabolic dysfunction despite normal labs, GLP-1 dosing strategies, and why these medications are about metabolism, not appetite suppression.
Key Questions Answered
- Why can weight regain happen on info_outline
Childhood Obesity, Eating Disorders & GLP-1s: Why It’s Not Your Fault
Fat Science
This week on Fat Science, Dr. Emily Cooper, Mark Wright, and Andrea Taylor talk with pediatric eating disorder specialist Dr. Julie O’Toole (Kartini Clinic) and pediatric obesity expert Dr. Evan Nadler about what childhood obesity really is: a biologic, metabolic disease—not a willpower problem and not a failure of parenting.
They explore how excess weight, constant hunger, and disordered eating in kids are often signs of underlying metabolic dysfunction and genetics—and why the old
info_outline
I’m Working Out—So Why Am I Getting Fatter?
Fat Science
This week on Fat Science, Dr. Emily Cooper, Mark Wright, and Andrea Taylor talk with exercise physiologist Russell Cunningham and patient Becca Wert about a counterintuitive reality: for some people, exercise can actually slow metabolism, stall weight loss, and trigger weight gain—especially when the brain senses a threat to energy availability.
Dr. Cooper explains how overtraining, under-fueling, and even thinking about workouts can activate famine signals in the brain and shut down
info_outline
The Latest GLP-1 News
Fat Science
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
info_outline
Listener Mailbag: Set Point Theory, Trauma & Metabolism, and Why 1200 Calories Can Still Lead to Weight Gain
Fat Science
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 Na info_outline
A Patient’s Guide to Taking Back Your Health
Fat Science
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
info_outlineThis week on Fat Science, Dr. Emily Cooper, Mark Wright, and Andrea Taylor field your most urgent metabolic health questions—exploring care advocacy, novel drug use, lab results, and how to filter fact from fiction in the TikTok age.
Dr. Cooper offers clinical clarity, real-world perspective, and actionable hope—with an emphasis on what truly matters for your long-term health and energy.
Hear from listeners experiencing real breakthroughs (and challenges) with GLP-1s, get tips for navigating confusing cholesterol results, and learn why self-advocacy and good science matter more than credentials or hype. This is not a quick-fix episode; it’s real metabolic medicine, mythbusting, and grounded encouragement for your health journey.
Key Questions Answered
- What labs and scores best assess your true metabolic risk—and how do you make sense of fasting glucose, glucose-insulin ratio (GIR), and FIB-4?
- How can you find a medical provider who’ll actually give you the time and attention metabolic care requires?
- Why do GLP-1s benefit more than weight loss alone? Listeners report help with sleep apnea, inflammation, and food noise—what does the science say?
- How should you reintroduce carbs after restriction, and what’s the safest way to monitor (beyond A1C)?
- What’s up with rising cholesterol on Zepbound, and when do you worry?
- Does serotonin syndrome relate to GLP-1s? (Short answer: No—Dr. Cooper explains why.)
- What are the dangers of “GLP-1 microdosing” as pushed by social media, and what happens when influencers overstep good science?
Key Takeaways
- Care that cares: The best doctor isn’t always the most credentialed—find someone, MD, NP, or PA, who takes your questions seriously and goes deeper than the surface.
- Labs that matter: Fasting glucose, insulin, GIR, HbA1c, plus advanced lipid testing (CardioIQ, NMR) are critical for uncovering hidden risk—not just chasing numbers.
- GLP-1s act broadly: Listeners see gains in sleep, inflammation, and appetite regulation. These benefits are real, not just anecdotal, and Dr. Cooper shares the clinical rationale.
- Smart fueling, even on GLP-1s: If you lack hunger cues, “mechanical eating” prevents under-fueling and cellular stress—especially important for maintaining muscle and metabolism.
- Rethinking “microdosing”: TikTok trends are not medical advice—microdosing with black-market GLP-1s is unproven, poorly regulated, and potentially unsafe. Rely on trusted, legal medication sources only.
Dr. Cooper’s Actionable Tips
- Request a full panel for metabolic health: ask your provider about fasting insulin, GIR, HbA1c, lipids, and FIB-4—even if you haven’t been flagged as “at risk”.
- For those on GLP-1s: Don’t skip meals; create a schedule with protein and fiber to avoid muscle loss and ensure micronutrient intake.
- Experiencing cholesterol shifts on medication? Ask for a breakdown (HDL, LDL, particle size) and consider advanced panels (CardioIQ, NMR) to better understand your risk.
- If reintroducing carbs after restriction, pair them with protein or fat and test glucose/insulin at intervals post-meal to personalize your plan.
- Avoid unregulated “microdosing” and buy only from reputable, FDA-approved outlets—protect your long-term health over quick fixes.
Notable Quote
“The most important thing is somebody who cares, not necessarily their degrees.”— Dr. Emily Cooper
Links & Resources
Podcast Home: Fat Science Podcast WebsiteSubmit a Show Question: questions@fatsciencepodcast.com or dr.c@fatsciencepodcast.com
Dr. Emily Cooper on LinkedIn
Mark Wright on LinkedIn
Andrea Taylor on Instagram
Advanced cholesterol testing: CardioIQ at Quest, NMR at LabCorpFat 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.