Fat Science

Is it really a good idea to get medical care from online pharmacies posing as clinics?
This week on Fat Science, Dr. Emily Cooper, Mark Wright, and Andrea Taylor dig into a Yale secret shopper study that tested 49 websites selling GLP-1 medications online. The websites look and market like medical clinics, but the study found that most patients never spoke to a clinician at all before getting a prescription. Dr. Cooper, Mark, and Andrea unpack what real medical care requires, why these platforms skip it, and what that means for anyone considering this route.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Two-thirds of the sites in the study issued a prescription with no clinician contact of any kind — despite marketing themselves as medical clinics.

Fewer than 40% asked for any clinical measurement (blood pressure, labs, etc.), and only 18% asked whether the patient even had a primary care doctor.

Many of these sites are financially connected to compounding pharmacies and use leading questions to push add-ons that create untested drug combinations.

Real medical care means a full history, objective labs, and ongoing monitoring — not a five-minute questionnaire and an automatic credit card charge.

NOTABLE QUOTE
"The marketing appears to be a medical clinic or a medical company, when in fact it's really just a sale of a drug." Dr. Emily Cooper
LINKS & RESOURCES
Study published in JAMA on the secret shopper findings
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.

Does exercise really boost metabolism, or is there a hidden truth?
In this episode, Dr. Emily Cooper uncovers the science behind why exercise isn’t just about burning calories. Dive into the fascinating world of myokines, the chemical messengers released by muscles that impact everything from mood to inflammation. Discover why it's not your fault if exercise alone isn't solving your metabolic issues.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Exercise impacts more than calorie burn; it's a signaling system for the body.

Myokines, released during exercise, affect organs like the brain and liver.

Muscle contractions broadcast vital signals affecting overall health.

NOTABLE QUOTE
"Exercise is more than burning energy; it's communication throughout the body." — Dr. Emily Cooper
LINKS & RESOURCES
Cooper Center for Metabolism: coopermetabolic.com
Resources from Dr. Cooper: coopermetabolic.com/resources
To register for course: https://learn.diabesityinstitute.org/products/live_events/live-virtual-update-event
 
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.

How does biology affect our perception of body size?
Dr. Emily Cooper answers listener questions about body dysmorphia and metabolic dysfunction. Mark and Andrea discuss the challenges with compounded medications and the implications of insurance-driven diet requirements.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Body dysmorphia can have biological components related to metabolic dysfunction.

Compounded medications may lack the testing and safety guarantees of brand names.

Insurance requirements often lack a medical basis and can hinder proper treatment.

NOTABLE QUOTE
"The altered body image perception may be linked to metabolic signals." — Dr. Emily Cooper
LINKS & RESOURCES
None mentioned.
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.

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.