Fat Science

• Childhood Obesity: Science, Shame & New Hope

  This week on Fat Science, Dr. Emily Cooper, Mark Wright, and Andrea Taylor are joined by renowned childhood obesity expert Dr. Evan Nadler for a deep, honest conversation about what really is making our kids fat—and what’s finally changing about how kids, parents, and doctors can fight it.The panel unpacks why the word “fat” is still so emotionally charged, how culture and even healthcare still get it wrong about weight, and why obesity must be recognized as a medical disease—not a moral failure. Dr. Nadler shares stories from two decades on the front lines, Dr. Cooper highlights transformative new science, and Andrea brings personal experience that challenges stereotypes and reveals the harm of shame-based approaches.From the latest treatments—including medication and surgery for kids under 12—to the power of genetics, hormones, and family history, this episode breaks the silence, busts the myths, and lays out hope for families everywhere.Key Takeaways:The global prevalence of childhood obesity keeps rising, with 15 million kids in the US now affected, and most will progress to adult obesity without intervention.Obesity in kids is driven by a complex web of biology—genes, prenatal health, and hormones—not “overeating” or lack of willpower.Parental health before and during pregnancy strongly affects a child’s risk of obesity, and interventions work best when started early—even before birth.Shame, strict dieting, and constant focus on weight do lifelong damage. Kids need support, not blame, and a focus on total health—sleep, nutrition, stress, and fun movement.New medications (like GLP-1 agonists) and bariatric surgery are safe, evidence-based options for select children, and can be life-changing when used correctly.Advances in science and patient care show that individualized treatment (not “one-size-fits-all” fixes) leads to the best long-term health and lower risk of serious complications in adulthood.There are always choices—kids and families should know they are not alone, and there are always next steps in medical care, whatever age or size a child may be.Resources from the episode:Fat Science is dedicated to empowering families and changing the conversation about metabolism—reminding us all that fat isn’t a failure. For more resources, stories, and to submit a listener question, visit our website. If you are a healthcare professional and are interested in Dr Cooper’s upcoming training course, click on provider course at the Fat Science Podcast website! If you have questions, a show idea, feedback, or want to connect, email us at [email protected] or [email protected] with Dr. Emily Cooper on LinkedIn.Connect with Mark Wright on LinkedIn.Connect with Andrea Taylor on Instagram.Connect with Dr. Evan Nadler on his website.*This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice.

  --------  

  1:10:46

  --------

  1:10:46
• How Microdosing Can Backfire

  This week on Fat Science, Dr. Emily Cooper, Andrea Taylor and Mark Wright take a hard look at the buzz around microdosing metabolic medications—from what “microdosing” actually means to the risks of following trends without clinical supervision. The team unpacks widespread misunderstandings about dosing for drugs like Ozempic, Zepbound, and low-dose naltrexone (LDN), explains why social media advice can be dangerous, and highlights just how unique every person’s metabolic needs are. Dr. Cooper shares patient examples and lays out the science behind hormone regulation, medication resistance, and why skipping a full evaluation could backfire. We cover why glandular extracts and testosterone supplements can disrupt your body’s natural balance and why trying to “trick” your metabolism with tiny doses can sometimes do more harm than good.Key Takeaways:Microdosing means doses far below anything supplied by drug companies—it’s not the same as prescribing a lower dose within the normal range.Popular trends in LA and beyond push people toward self-experimentation, often with compounded drugs or unsupervised regimens.Taking metabolic drugs without a clinical need can weaken natural hormone production and create dependency—even with “natural” supplements.GLP-1s, GIPs, naltrexone, and testosterone all show very different outcomes depending on your genetics, history of dieting, childhood athletics, or use of other medications.More is not always better. Too high a dose can create medication resistance, while too low might “numb out” your hormone response.Professional evaluation, sleep, nutrition, and self-kindness remain the first line of defense for metabolic health, rather than skipping over those and heading straight to medication.Resources from the episode: 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.Check out our new website where you can ask a mailbag question. If you have a question for Dr. Cooper, a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at [email protected] or [email protected] you are a healthcare professional interested in Dr. Cooper's training course, go to FatSciencePodcast.com and click on the top right button for Provider Course.Connect with Dr. Emily Cooper on LinkedInConnect with Mark Wright on LinkedInConnect with Andrea Taylor on Instagram

  --------  

  42:05

  --------

  42:05
• 5 Surprising Metabolic Studies From 2025

  This week on Fat Science, Dr. Emily Cooper, Andrea Taylor, and Mark Wright break down five eye-opening research studies from 2025 that challenge everything you thought you knew about obesity, dieting, and metabolism. The hosts explore surprising new evidence on fitness trackers, the metabolic power of joy (and dessert!), the risks of intermittent fasting, how yo-yo dieting can damage kidney health, and the permanent impact of dieting on your brain-gut connection.Dr. Cooper shares clinical insights and explains why simple fixes—strict diets, calorie counting, and food restriction—can actually backfire, causing more harm than good. From the science of hormone signaling to the pitfalls of diet culture, the conversation reveals powerful new reasons to embrace flexibility, balance, and self-kindness on the journey to metabolic health.Key Takeaways:Fitness trackers can dramatically underestimate calorie burn—errors can reach 93%, especially for people with higher body weight. Companies rarely test enough real-world diversity and may fudge numbers for marketing.Including dessert and “forbidden foods” in your diet leads to better metabolic outcomes, greater mental stability, and less risk of binge eating or weight regain. Joyful eating helps regulate critical hormones like leptin and ghrelin.Intermittent fasting is linked to hair loss. Energy deficits force the body to use fatty acids as fuel, which can damage hair follicle stem cells. Long-term fasting negatively disrupts glucose/insulin balance and destabilizes metabolism.Yo-yo dieting (weight cycling) now shows a direct connection with kidney damage—even in those at normal weight. Rapid weight shifts restrict kidney blood flow, raise cortisol, and cause irreversible damage.Dieting creates lasting changes in the microbiome and brain-gut signaling that promote weight regain and appetite dysregulation. Even a single round of weight cycling can create stubborn metabolic obstacles.Personal Stories & Practical Advice:Andrea shares why dessert is a staple of her happiness—and how mental restriction backfires. Dr. Cooper gives real-world examples from patients: eating favorite foods can unlock better weight results, while “diet damage” often lingers until medical treatment repairs it. Resources from the episode: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.Check out our new website where you can ask a mailbag question. If you have a question for Dr. Cooper, a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at [email protected] or [email protected] with Dr. Emily Cooper on LinkedIn.Connect with Mark Wright on LinkedIn.Connect with Andrea Taylor on Instagram.REFERENCES FOR THIS EPISODEAlshurafa, N., et al. (2025). “More accurate fitness tracking for people with obesity.” *Scientific Reports*, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.Alfouzan, N.W., & Nakamura, M.T. (2025). “Reduced food cravings correlated with a 24-month period of weight loss and weight maintenance.” *Physiology & Behavior*, Vol. 291.Chen, H., Liu, C., Cui, S., et al. (2025). “Intermittent fasting triggers interorgan communication to suppress hair follicle regeneration.” *Cell*, Vol. 188.The Endocrine Society (2025). “Yo-yo dieting may significantly increase kidney disease risk in people with type 1 diabetes.” *Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism*, February 2025.Fouesnard, M., et al. (2025). “Weight cycling deregulates eating behavior via the induction of durable gut dysbiosis.” *Advanced Science*, 2025

  --------  

  47:31

  --------

  47:31
• Centuries of Evidence: Why Diets Don’t Work

  This week on Fat Science, Mark Wright, Andrea Taylor, and Dr. Emily Cooper dig deep into the science and history behind why diets don’t work for lasting weight management. From early fad diets, through to modern metabolic research, the episode explains why calorie restriction often backfires—and why fueling the body is key to long-term health.Dr. Cooper unpacks the latest evidence about metabolic adaptation, the hormonal drivers of weight regain, and the persistent harms caused by repeated dieting. Listeners will leave with a renewed understanding of metabolism’s complexity, the importance of medical advocacy, and the critical need to challenge diet culture and weight bias.Key TakeawaysShort-term weight loss from dieting is common, but centuries of evidence show most weight is regained—sometimes with additional harm.Metabolic adaptation and hormonal changes (like drops in leptin and rises in ghrelin) make weight regain almost inevitable for most people after calorie restriction.Repeated dieting (weight cycling) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and visceral fat, not just regaining lost weight.The biggest breakthroughs in metabolism came in the 20th century, but weight bias and diet industry profits keep the focus on ineffective short-term strategies.True long-term progress rests on regular fueling, metabolic evaluation, and avoiding the trap of repeated restrictive diets.Expert Insights & Practical AdviceDr. Cooper highlights landmark studies (Minnesota Starvation Experiment, Dutch famine, the "Biggest Loser" follow-up) illustrating how diets slow metabolism and can even cause lasting damage.The science behind metabolic hormones—leptin, ghrelin, adiponectin, GLP-1—shows why the body fights back against weight loss and why medications must be paired with metabolic support, not additional restriction.Reflections on weight bias in medicine, the need for informed consent around diets, and how current research is still catching up to clinical reality.Personal Stories & Culture CritiqueAndrea shares how social circles demonstrate the futility of diets and the cycle of weight loss and regain.Mark recounts professional experiences highlighting systemic bias and cultural attitudes toward weight and health, advocating for preventive medicine as the path forward.The hosts challenge listeners to rethink their relationship with food, prioritize health, and push back against societal shame and stigma.Resources from the EpisodeFat Science is committed to debunking the myths about metabolism, diabetes, and fat. We empower listeners with evidence-based information, challenging the culture of blame and restriction. This podcast is for informational purposes and not medical advice.Explore our website to join our live audience for the milestone 100th episode recording on Thursday, September 4th at 9 a.m. PST—ask Dr. Cooper a question and celebrate with us!Send questions, show ideas, or feedback: [email protected] or [email protected] you are a provider and interested in DI's training course or training manual for providers:Connect with Dr. Emily Cooper on [LinkedIn]Connect with Mark Wright on [LinkedIn]Connect with Andrea Taylor on [Instagram]Fat Science: No diet, no agenda—just science that makes you feel better.

  --------  

  51:16

  --------

  51:16
• Fat Science Live: Celebrating Our 100th Episode!

  The 100th episode of Fat Science brings together Dr. Emily Cooper, Andrea Taylor, and Mark Wright for a live mailbag celebration with listeners worldwide. Hear how the show began, reflect on lessons learned, and get answers to the questions people wish their doctors would address—especially about metabolism, obesity, diabetes, GLP-1 medications, and more.Dr. Cooper shares the big-picture science behind “why we get fat,” the true drivers of metabolic dysfunction, and the evolution of her pioneering clinical practice. Andrea and Mark reveal the patient’s perspective—an honest look at what happens when the latest science meets real lives. Plus, practitioners and patients weigh in on the shifting cultural tide: it’s not a diet problem, it’s a metabolic problem.Key Takeaways:GLP-1 medications do not appear to harm future fertility or cause birth defect risks; improved metabolism may even help down the road.Leptin resistance/suppression: what labs really mean, why mechanical eating matters, and how ghrelin and other signals clarify the picture.“Diet Drug” stigma is outdated; GLP-1 medications target dysfunction, not willpower.Compounded GLP-1 solutions can be risky. Dr. Cooper explains supply chain, testing, and safer cost-saving alternatives like Lilly Direct, NovoCare, and Canadian Kwik pens.Autoimmune diseases (like celiac) may interfere with signals, but GLP-1s—especially bioidentical ones—are still options with careful monitoring.“Selfish Brain” explained: labs to request, what cerebral insulin suppression looks like, and why fueling and sleep are core solutions.Hashimoto’s: often distinct from metabolic dysfunction; both need tailored management and mechanical fueling.Heavy lifting & nutrition: protein needs often overstated—1.0–1.3g/kg ideal; pre-bed protein useful; DEXA scans help track muscle mass.Menopause & metabolism: estrogen/leptin loss, why patch plus micronized progesterone is often safest, and how each choice impacts metabolic health.Navigating insurance complexities, tariffs, and lifetime maxes—when and how to explore creative access.Metabolic changes tied to cycles, pregnancy, birth control: which progestins are weight-neutral, what to ask, and which labs to run if hitting plateaus.GLP-1s often improve blood pressure; dizziness may mean time to reduce meds, not the GLP-1.Personal Stories & Practical Advice:Andrea and Mark share a decade-plus of metabolic journeys—their dramatic health wins and the ongoing battle for self-compassion and body image. Listeners celebrate victories: reversing fatty liver, thriving after cancer, and breaking free from diet cycles.“No diets. No agendas. Just science that makes you feel better.” The audience and hosts repeat this Fat Science tagline to mark the milestone.Resources:Fat Science explains where fat really comes from and why it won’t just go away. We’re committed to empowering people with accurate information about metabolism and busting the myth that fat is failure. This podcast is informational only and not medical advice.Check out our new website to ask a mailbag question. Contact us at [email protected] or [email protected] with Dr. Cooper on LinkedInConnect with Mark Wright on LinkedInConnect with Andrea Taylor on Instagram

  --------  

  1:25:45

  --------

  1:25:45

Mais podcasts de Saúde e fitness

Podcasts em tendência em Saúde e fitness

Sobre Fat Science