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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 dive into the latest U.S. blood pressure guidelines—and reveal why nearly half of all Americans face risks that can no longer be ignored. Early intervention and smart lifestyle changes are at the heart of these new recommendations.
Why is high blood pressure such a hidden danger? What do the new “elevated” and “stage one” categories mean for real people? How do doctors decide when it’s time for medication versus lifestyle changes? And how does blood pressure connect to kidneys, strokes, and even dementia? Dr. Cooper unpacks the science, gives practical advice, and shares why home monitoring is now a crucial part of medical care.
In this conversation-dense episode, the team breaks old myths and empowers listeners to take charge—so that “keeping an eye” on blood pressure becomes active prevention, not passive worry.
Key Takeaways:
- New guidelines lower the bar for concern—120 over 80 is now “caution,” and 130 over 80 is “hypertension.” Early action matters.
- Untreated high blood pressure can lead to irreversible organ damage, strokes, kidney disease, and cognitive decline.
- Doctors now have a better toolkit: updated cutoffs, risk “calculators” that include zip code, and clearer protocols for who needs medication right away.
- Lifestyle changes (fruit, vegetables, less sodium, more movement, quality sleep, stress management, and alcohol moderation) are the first line for many—especially in the “elevated” category.
- Metabolic syndrome often includes high blood pressure; medicines like GLP-1s and metformin may help regulate pressure as well as metabolism.
- Accurate home blood pressure monitoring is strongly recommended, with validated cuff meters (not wrist models).
Dr. Cooper shares actionable tips:
- Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables daily for potassium—bananas, spinach, potatoes, kiwis all help.
- Get a “validated” cuff monitor and check morning/evening, resting, following best practices.
- Ask your doctor about the new guidelines and risk calculators (found at the American Heart Association website).
Notable Quote:
“Home readings are very valuable. I really encourage people to look at the Validate BP site, find a good meter, and keep a log. Catching high blood pressure early and treating it aggressively can have profound impacts on your future health.”— Dr. Emily Cooper
Resources from the episode:
Fat Science is your source for understanding why blood pressure—and metabolic health—matter more than ever. No diets, no agendas, just science that makes you feel better.This show is informational only, not medical advice.
Check out our website to submit a question to the listener mailbag.Have questions for Dr. Cooper, a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect?Email questions@fatsciencepodcast.com or dr.c@fatsciencepodcast.com.
Connect with:
Dr. Emily Cooper on LinkedIn
Mark Wright on LinkedIn
Andrea Taylor on Instagram