How Diets Can Mimic Starvation Signals

This week on Fat Science, Dr. Emily Cooper, Mark Wright, and Andrea Taylor take a trip to the past when Dr. Cooper didn’t have many supporters in medicine. She shares what it was like to be ridiculed by her peers, why she refused to give up on her patients, and how her science-based approach to metabolism was finally validated by mainstream medicine.

Hear the raw, unfiltered story of resilience, patient advocacy, and scientific discovery that led Dr. Cooper from being dismissed as “voodoo” to blazing a trail for real metabolic health.

Key Questions Answered:

• Why did so many in the medical community reject Dr. Cooper’s methods—like challenging “calories in, calories out”—when she started treating metabolic issues?
• What does the rise of GLP-1 medications reveal about the true science behind appetite, metabolism, and weight?
• How did Dr. Cooper hold onto her integrity and keep practicing effective, patient-centered medicine despite overwhelming opposition?
• When does medical “common sense” get replaced by real science, and what does that mean for anyone struggling with diets that fail?

Key Takeaways:

• Progress means facing skepticism. Dr. Cooper was once called a "voodoo doctor" and even yelled at by other physicians for her scientific methods, but results spoke louder than her critics. 
• Metabolism is personal and complex—restrictive diets and “eat less, move more” advice often backfire. Hormonal science and careful patient tracking revealed why old rules failed. 
• Persistent curiosity and data-driven practice, not popularity, eventually shift the culture. Dr. Cooper leaned on a “matrix” of metabolic markers long before these tests were commonplace. 
• GLP-1 medications (like Byetta and Victoza) have moved from obscure tools to mainstream, validating Dr. Cooper’s approach to treating the whole metabolic system. 
• True healing means fueling, not restricting. “Eating more,” not less, was key to metabolic recovery for many patients—a radical, often ridiculed idea that’s now supported by science and real-world clinical data from thousands of patients.
• Patient stories mirror the medical journey—today, both patients and providers can look back and realize that “voodoo” was simply science ahead of its time. 

Dr. Cooper’s Actionable Tips:

• Question easy answers—when in doubt, follow the data, not tradition.
• Find a provider who listens, tests, and adapts treatment to you—not just your weight or a number on a scale.
• Remember that real science can be lonely before it’s mainstream. Trust progress, even when it feels slow.
• Celebrate freedom from food guilt; focus on nourishment, steady energy, and self-compassion, not dieting extremes.

Notable Quote:

“It does make you feel lonely because you feel like there’s no one to talk to, but it was always about doing right by the science and by my patients.” — Dr. Emily Cooper

Fat 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, not medical advice.

Check out our website to submit a question, explore resources, or reach our hosts.

Have questions for Dr. Cooper, a show idea, or feedback?Email questions@fatsciencepodcast.com or dr.c@fatsciencepodcast.com.

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