What the Headlines Get Wrong About GLP-1 Drugs and Metabolism

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-year metabolic recovery journey.

Key Questions Answered

• If both groups are dieting, why does the tirzepatide group lose more weight?
• What is metabolic adaptation, and why does dieting slow metabolism so sharply?
• How do GLP-1s directly increase fat oxidation?
• What is mechanical eating, and why do GLP-1 users need it?
• Why does ad-lib eating produce different metabolic responses than calorie restriction?
• Can mindset alone change hunger hormones? (Yes—the milkshake study.)
• Why do diet foods and diet sodas fail to improve metabolic health?
• Why is response to GLP-1s so different from person to person?

Key Takeaways

• GLP-1s are metabolic drugs—not appetite suppressants.
  Their power comes from hormonal effects on fat burning, not reduced food intake.
• Calorie restriction still slows metabolism.
  Even on GLP-1s, dieting triggers significant metabolic slowdown.
• Ad-lib eating outperforms dieting in the research.
  Semaglutide users who ate freely did not show the extra metabolic slowdown seen in dieters.
• Mechanical eating is the most durable long-term approach.
  Regular meals and snacks protect lean mass and prevent famine signaling.
• Mindset shapes hormones.
  Believing a food is “diet” vs. “indulgent” alters ghrelin and satisfaction.
• Track body composition—not just the scale.
  DEXA scans show whether you’re losing fat, muscle, or bone.

Dr. Cooper’s Actionable Tips

• Don’t diet on GLP-1s. Focus on fueling, not restriction.
• Use mechanical eating: predictable meals and snacks, no long gaps.
• Prioritize satisfaction: diet foods often backfire hormonally.
• Follow your real-world data: long-term changes matter more than short-term scale shifts.
• Ask about body composition testing if possible.

Notable Quote:

“What that study proved is that doing the calorie restriction is causing the metabolic slowing… and that’s why it’s so confusing to me that we keep advising people to restrict calories when they’re trying to improve their metabolic function.” —Dr. Emily Cooper

Links & Resources

Podcast Home: https://fatsciencepodcast.com/
Episode References: https://fatsciencepodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Scientific-References-Fat-Science-Episodes.pdf
Cooper Center: https://coopermetabolic.com/podcast/
Resources from Dr. Cooper: https://coopermetabolic.com/resources/
Submit a Question: questions@fatsciencepodcast.com
Dr. Cooper Email: dr.c@fatsciencepodcast.com

Fat Science: No diets, no agendas—just science that makes you feel better. This podcast is for informational only, and is not intended to be medical advice.