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The Metabolic Storm The science of your metabolism and why
This is not a diet book. It’s a book about the pure science behind why diets don’t work for the majority of people. Forget everything you have ever heard about dieting and being overweight! The Metabolic Storm addresses the science that obliterates those myths about diets and weight gain.
As a doctor board certified in Obesity Medicine, Family Medicine, and Sports Medicine, Emily Cooper sees hundreds of patients who attempt every conceivable diet and spend a huge amount of time and effort exercising, yet find that their excess weight doesn’t stay off and their overall health doesn’t improve long-term. The Metabolic Storm is the result of Dr. Cooper’s 25 years of working with those patients and researching the existing science about metabolism. Cooper wants readers to understand that while everyone’s metabolism is slightly different, if you face weight issues, you might simply have been “dealt a bad hand” metabolically. It’s not your fault that you can’t lose weight or keep it off.
The Metabolic Storm explains why weight and metabolic issues are not the result of laziness, lack of commitment, or absence of willpower. It introduces the breakthroughs and answers discovered, but never properly disseminated, through more than 100 years of scientific research. Once you understand the intricate systems of metabolism and hormones, you will never want to diet again. And from there begins the journey of letting go of the guilt and shame too often associated with weight issues.
As a doctor board certified in Obesity Medicine, Family Medicine, and Sports Medicine, Emily Cooper sees hundreds of patients who attempt every conceivable diet and spend a huge amount of time and effort exercising, yet find that their excess weight doesn’t stay off and their overall health doesn’t improve long-term. The Metabolic Storm is the result of Dr. Cooper’s 25 years of working with those patients and researching the existing science about metabolism. Cooper wants readers to understand that while everyone’s metabolism is slightly different, if you face weight issues, you might simply have been “dealt a bad hand” metabolically. It’s not your fault that you can’t lose weight or keep it off.
The Metabolic Storm explains why weight and metabolic issues are not the result of laziness, lack of commitment, or absence of willpower. It introduces the breakthroughs and answers discovered, but never properly disseminated, through more than 100 years of scientific research. Once you understand the intricate systems of metabolism and hormones, you will never want to diet again. And from there begins the journey of letting go of the guilt and shame too often associated with weight issues.
Unknown Binding
First published August 17, 2013
65 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Emily Cooper
1 book1 followerLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Dr. Cooper is a Seattle-based physician, specializing in the underlying causes of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and infertility. She is board-certified in obesity medicine, sports medicine, and family medicine. In July 2015 she released 'The Metabolic Storm: Second Edition" with updated content and graphics to illustrate key points.
She has worked extensively in areas related to exercise science and athlete performance and founded Seattle Performance Medicine in 2003 and worked with both high-performance athletes and active people to reach their fitness goals. Over the past fifteen years, her primary focus has been on obesity. In May of 2015, she established the Cooper Center for Metabolism, dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of metabolic causes of type 2 diabetes, obesity and infertility. She considers metabolic syndrome to be a high-risk form of metabolic dysfunction and provides early and aggressive intervention targeted and reversing morbidity. The importance of which has been shown to be even more relevant during the recent pandemic which impacted this high-risk group above all others.
Her goal is to share the science of metabolism with healthcare professionals and the public through her metabolic center and the non-profit she founded, The Diabesity Institute.
Dr. Cooper is a Seattle-based physician, specializing in the underlying causes of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and infertility. She is board-certified in obesity medicine, sports medicine, and family medicine. In July 2015 she released 'The Metabolic Storm: Second Edition" with updated content and graphics to illustrate key points.
She has worked extensively in areas related to exercise science and athlete performance and founded Seattle Performance Medicine in 2003 and worked with both high-performance athletes and active people to reach their fitness goals. Over the past fifteen years, her primary focus has been on obesity. In May of 2015, she established the Cooper Center for Metabolism, dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of metabolic causes of type 2 diabetes, obesity and infertility. She considers metabolic syndrome to be a high-risk form of metabolic dysfunction and provides early and aggressive intervention targeted and reversing morbidity. The importance of which has been shown to be even more relevant during the recent pandemic which impacted this high-risk group above all others.
Her goal is to share the science of metabolism with healthcare professionals and the public through her metabolic center and the non-profit she founded, The Diabesity Institute.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 23, 2014
Not only do I love this book, I lived this book! I found Dr. Cooper after searching for three years to understand why my teenage daughter struggled with a variety of unexplained symptoms. Turns out, she was suffering from the very underlying metabolic malfunction that Dr. Cooper describes in the book. A year later, she is a new person (although the road to get here was quite complicated.) We're lucky to live in Seattle, where Dr. Cooper has a practice. I know from reading other reviews that readers are frustrated that they can't resolve their own metabolic glitches after reading the book or can't find a doctor in their area who can diagnose and treat them. Here's what I've learned:
Because Metabolic Dysfunction is a medical condition, there is no simple answer about how to solve everyone’s individual problem. You can't take a single supplement or a pill or a shot to resolve your metabolic glitches. Unfortunately, even eating in a healthy way and exercising consistently isn’t going to repair a broken metabolism. As Dr. Cooper mentions in her book, one of the best things you can do right away is to stop any deprivation dieting, eat at regular intervals, get enough sleep, and fuel before and after your exercise. But regrettably, without medical treatment, those steps alone won't resolve most weight issues. That is disappointing, but it is reality.
I also know that Dr. Cooper would love nothing more than to be able to refer people to a doctor in their local area who could diagnose and treat their underlying Metabolic Dysfunction. Currently, I'm not aware of any other physicians (in the world - and I've looked!) who are actually working directly with patients and treating Metabolic Dysfunction so that the symptoms of overweight, obesity and Type 2 diabetes resolve-- not through dieting and exercise, but with personalized medical treatment.
While Dr. Cooper’s practice is informed by the considerable science in this area, sadly, very little of this science has made it into the hands of practicing physicians. She's discovered how to diagnose and treat patients through years of studying the science, talking with scientific experts and generally putting the puzzle together on her own. And, while I know she wishes she could support everyone, she's only one doctor and her own practice is currently bursting at the seams. Interestingly, while many patients are seeking her help, I’m currently not aware of any physicians who have approached her to learn how they can diagnose and treat their own patients, which admittedly would take significant time and effort. This is a big shift for the medical community and there are many barriers to changing the current calories in/calories out model, even though it doesn't work long-term.
Despite this uphill battle, Dr. Cooper has invested considerable financial resources and time in starting a non-profit, The Diabesity Research Foundation (DRF), to educate both the public and health care professionals about the science of metabolism. Her heart is in the right place. She is the most genuine, caring, patient centered, and philanthropically oriented physician I’ve ever met. Her unwavering desire is to change the system so more people can get the help they need but, realistically, that will take many years. I plan to help by supporting DRF and by spreading the word to both my friends and family AND to every doctor I know. If enough people ask, maybe things will improve.
Because Metabolic Dysfunction is a medical condition, there is no simple answer about how to solve everyone’s individual problem. You can't take a single supplement or a pill or a shot to resolve your metabolic glitches. Unfortunately, even eating in a healthy way and exercising consistently isn’t going to repair a broken metabolism. As Dr. Cooper mentions in her book, one of the best things you can do right away is to stop any deprivation dieting, eat at regular intervals, get enough sleep, and fuel before and after your exercise. But regrettably, without medical treatment, those steps alone won't resolve most weight issues. That is disappointing, but it is reality.
I also know that Dr. Cooper would love nothing more than to be able to refer people to a doctor in their local area who could diagnose and treat their underlying Metabolic Dysfunction. Currently, I'm not aware of any other physicians (in the world - and I've looked!) who are actually working directly with patients and treating Metabolic Dysfunction so that the symptoms of overweight, obesity and Type 2 diabetes resolve-- not through dieting and exercise, but with personalized medical treatment.
While Dr. Cooper’s practice is informed by the considerable science in this area, sadly, very little of this science has made it into the hands of practicing physicians. She's discovered how to diagnose and treat patients through years of studying the science, talking with scientific experts and generally putting the puzzle together on her own. And, while I know she wishes she could support everyone, she's only one doctor and her own practice is currently bursting at the seams. Interestingly, while many patients are seeking her help, I’m currently not aware of any physicians who have approached her to learn how they can diagnose and treat their own patients, which admittedly would take significant time and effort. This is a big shift for the medical community and there are many barriers to changing the current calories in/calories out model, even though it doesn't work long-term.
Despite this uphill battle, Dr. Cooper has invested considerable financial resources and time in starting a non-profit, The Diabesity Research Foundation (DRF), to educate both the public and health care professionals about the science of metabolism. Her heart is in the right place. She is the most genuine, caring, patient centered, and philanthropically oriented physician I’ve ever met. Her unwavering desire is to change the system so more people can get the help they need but, realistically, that will take many years. I plan to help by supporting DRF and by spreading the word to both my friends and family AND to every doctor I know. If enough people ask, maybe things will improve.
September 10, 2014
MY doctor wrote this! I've been seeing her for almost 5 years, and I'm living proof that everything she says in this book is spot-on! These concepts changed my life, insomuch as I will never again look at food and exercise the same again - and there is SO much freedom in that! PLEEEEEASE read this book!!!!
August 5, 2015
Describes the intricate balance of systems that must come together in order to avoid the side effect of weight gain. Takes an anti-diet approach, and describes why diets don't work, and why they often cause more harm than good, even when they are successful in the short term.
February 11, 2014
Confirmed everything I thought... however really doesn't suggest much to reverse the hormonal problems. It ends up being a commercial for her evaluating people and putting them on "individualized programs".
January 3, 2019
Headline Health News
So many people think they are fat and have tried diets and procedures that haven’t worked. This book holds the science to get control of obesity and diabetes and change our lives for the better. It’s not a fad. It’s the science.
So many people think they are fat and have tried diets and procedures that haven’t worked. This book holds the science to get control of obesity and diabetes and change our lives for the better. It’s not a fad. It’s the science.
September 26, 2019
Excellent read
Easy to understand and very informative. Highly recommend. Enjoyed the thoroughness yet ease of understanding terms. Will be following up with Dr.Cooper.
Easy to understand and very informative. Highly recommend. Enjoyed the thoroughness yet ease of understanding terms. Will be following up with Dr.Cooper.
September 17, 2020
Great info, OK writing
Read
May 22, 2023rtf
October 9, 2016
This book was recommended to me by a former co-volunteer years ago, and it just took ages for me to get around to reading it. I am so grateful for that recommendation, because this book may be one of the keys not only to correcting my weight struggles, but to correcting my chronic fatigue. You guys, read this book. If you have ever struggled with weight loss, or experienced failure living by the (scientifically-proven to be 100% false) "calories in, calories out" lifestyle, read this book. It's not a how-to or self-improvement book, it's an educational book, but it will empower you with the steps to discuss with your primary care physician.
As Dr. Cooper states in the book, fixing metabolic dysfunction is a lengthy process, but it's doable (in terms of lifestyle change, potential medication, and cost). And all it takes is being able to go to an endocrinologist armed with an understanding of how certain hormones in your body interact with each other and your brain to regulate metabolism. I was surprised at some of the information (having heard all my life of metabolism as an oversimplified process). For instance, going on a diet for only 12 weeks, once in your life, usually permanently lowers your metabolic rate. The more you restrict caloric intake, the more your body permanently alters itself to keep you from starving to death, creating a cycle that will result in weight gain, not weight loss (we're so well-adapted at surviving famine).
Like most women, I've dieted a lot- "smart" diets that combine counting calories with regular exercise, and some diets designed to cut out/cut down foods that are potentially causing inflammation or leaky gut. And like most women, I've experienced the frustration of trying everything common sense, and having it fail again and again. And also the frustration of society (and physicians!) telling me I'm fat because of a moral failing or lack of willpower. So to finally read the science behind how my metabolism is supposed to function, and what things may be wrong with it, was incredibly freeing.
After reading this book, I'm now working with my primary care physician to get a referral to an endocrinologist, to have my leptin, ghretin, endocrine, and glucose levels tested for potential dysfunction. I passed this book to my mom, and it was an eye-opener for her, and now she's also working with her doc to have the same lab tests run. I recommend it for everyone, honestly, whether or not you've struggled with losing weight or health. It's a relatively quick and interesting read, and incredibly educational. But especially if you're overweight despite eating right, eating less, and/or moving more- you need to read this book.
As Dr. Cooper states in the book, fixing metabolic dysfunction is a lengthy process, but it's doable (in terms of lifestyle change, potential medication, and cost). And all it takes is being able to go to an endocrinologist armed with an understanding of how certain hormones in your body interact with each other and your brain to regulate metabolism. I was surprised at some of the information (having heard all my life of metabolism as an oversimplified process). For instance, going on a diet for only 12 weeks, once in your life, usually permanently lowers your metabolic rate. The more you restrict caloric intake, the more your body permanently alters itself to keep you from starving to death, creating a cycle that will result in weight gain, not weight loss (we're so well-adapted at surviving famine).
Like most women, I've dieted a lot- "smart" diets that combine counting calories with regular exercise, and some diets designed to cut out/cut down foods that are potentially causing inflammation or leaky gut. And like most women, I've experienced the frustration of trying everything common sense, and having it fail again and again. And also the frustration of society (and physicians!) telling me I'm fat because of a moral failing or lack of willpower. So to finally read the science behind how my metabolism is supposed to function, and what things may be wrong with it, was incredibly freeing.
After reading this book, I'm now working with my primary care physician to get a referral to an endocrinologist, to have my leptin, ghretin, endocrine, and glucose levels tested for potential dysfunction. I passed this book to my mom, and it was an eye-opener for her, and now she's also working with her doc to have the same lab tests run. I recommend it for everyone, honestly, whether or not you've struggled with losing weight or health. It's a relatively quick and interesting read, and incredibly educational. But especially if you're overweight despite eating right, eating less, and/or moving more- you need to read this book.
June 5, 2016
I have been seeing Dr Cooper for a couple of years now and this book discusses her metabolism research so far and she goes through all of it when you're a patient. I started seeing her after she visited my running group to discuss nutrition. I was experiencing constant weight gain while training for half marathons and diets were very temporary in their success. All the things I had done to be fit years in my mid-twenties was failing. One of my coaches was seeing Dr. Cooper and recommended her.
Almost a year passed since I met her with my running group and talked to my coach and was trying extreme diets...again with very temporary success and my weight sky rocketed to the most I have ever weighed in my life. I'm 5' and I weighed 178 lbs. I was pre diabetic, premenopausal, my body thought it was under weight and starving. I was watching my food intake and not eating a lot of junk and I was still running and walking regularly. I was so confused. Then a coworker was visibly having success getting more fit and slimming down in the process. We talked about it and she told me about her metabolism issues and how she was seeing Dr. Cooper. After that conversation I signed up for Dr. Cooper's waiting list and luckily I was able to get an appointment within a couple of months. She's the only Dr. in this are specializing in diabetes, metabolism, and obesity from this viewpoint and as a runner it's great that this is all tied up with sports performance specialization. She finally has funding to train other Drs but that will take time.
I have given this book to several people and one comment I hear is that the book doesn't go deals on solutions for these problems. That's because this isn't a self help book and there aren't generic solutions. Treatments are specific to the patient and their lab results. Over these years my medication has changed almost every appointment which is about 3 times a year. A good part of this is diagnosing what is really happening and sometimes your body will fight you and lab results give indicators, but not definitive answers. It's a process that needs to be done in phases. For a couple of years there was mostly inside change, but not a lot of outside. In the last year, I have dropped down to 147 lbs including shedding of a lot of fat both inside and out. I am no longer pre diabetic or premenopausal and my body no longer thinks it's starving. Slowly it's recalibrating how much it believes I'm supposed to weigh. What did I change? Medical treatments based on my regular lab results. I'm eating more, NO DIETS...in fact, if I need more calories, to make sure I get enough, Dr. Cooper has prescribed ice cream. No joke.
Almost a year passed since I met her with my running group and talked to my coach and was trying extreme diets...again with very temporary success and my weight sky rocketed to the most I have ever weighed in my life. I'm 5' and I weighed 178 lbs. I was pre diabetic, premenopausal, my body thought it was under weight and starving. I was watching my food intake and not eating a lot of junk and I was still running and walking regularly. I was so confused. Then a coworker was visibly having success getting more fit and slimming down in the process. We talked about it and she told me about her metabolism issues and how she was seeing Dr. Cooper. After that conversation I signed up for Dr. Cooper's waiting list and luckily I was able to get an appointment within a couple of months. She's the only Dr. in this are specializing in diabetes, metabolism, and obesity from this viewpoint and as a runner it's great that this is all tied up with sports performance specialization. She finally has funding to train other Drs but that will take time.
I have given this book to several people and one comment I hear is that the book doesn't go deals on solutions for these problems. That's because this isn't a self help book and there aren't generic solutions. Treatments are specific to the patient and their lab results. Over these years my medication has changed almost every appointment which is about 3 times a year. A good part of this is diagnosing what is really happening and sometimes your body will fight you and lab results give indicators, but not definitive answers. It's a process that needs to be done in phases. For a couple of years there was mostly inside change, but not a lot of outside. In the last year, I have dropped down to 147 lbs including shedding of a lot of fat both inside and out. I am no longer pre diabetic or premenopausal and my body no longer thinks it's starving. Slowly it's recalibrating how much it believes I'm supposed to weigh. What did I change? Medical treatments based on my regular lab results. I'm eating more, NO DIETS...in fact, if I need more calories, to make sure I get enough, Dr. Cooper has prescribed ice cream. No joke.
March 10, 2014
Amazing. This book makes so much sense. It's based entirely on published scientific studies and explains in easy-to-understand language the complexities of the hormones that control metabolism, how to maintain the healthiest metabolism possible, and the various metabolic breakdowns that can cause obesity over a life time or with weight changes. This is NOT wu-wu science!
Dr. Cooper shows patient histories (without using patients' real names) that demonstrate that with proper medical treatment weight gain can be reversed FOR THE LONG TERM, while she debunks the use of low-calorie diets which may help in the long term but can interfere with the metabolism over time. From the case studies she shows, it appears that it can take a long time for treatments to take effect, but when they do the successes are remarkable.
I plan to take this book to my doctor and begin a serious conversation about how I can be tested for the issues Dr. Cooper explains in this book and begin a treatment plan to address any of them that I have.
My recommendation to anyone who worries about or struggles with weight is to read this book (it's a pretty quick and easy read), do NOT diet, and talk to your doctor.
Dr. Cooper shows patient histories (without using patients' real names) that demonstrate that with proper medical treatment weight gain can be reversed FOR THE LONG TERM, while she debunks the use of low-calorie diets which may help in the long term but can interfere with the metabolism over time. From the case studies she shows, it appears that it can take a long time for treatments to take effect, but when they do the successes are remarkable.
I plan to take this book to my doctor and begin a serious conversation about how I can be tested for the issues Dr. Cooper explains in this book and begin a treatment plan to address any of them that I have.
My recommendation to anyone who worries about or struggles with weight is to read this book (it's a pretty quick and easy read), do NOT diet, and talk to your doctor.
May 11, 2020
This is probably the most informative book I have ever read on how the metabolic system affects the rest of the body and why it is important to understand those functions. As a woman who has never been able to fully control my weight, I find this information to be inspiring, cautionary and informative. I would recommend this to anyone who has tried dieting and failed (or succeeded only to fail later), who feels inflammation and bloating constantly, who has started exercising MORE only to realize they have gained weight, etc. I think the science behind these systems, while certainly not new, is starting to gain more traction in the field of medical science as doctors and researchers are finally understanding how to control and retrain the metabolic functions of our bodies. I read it in two days. Simply fascinating.
February 3, 2022
The subtitle is ROUGH and just straight marketing ploy, but this physician unwinds the science behind weight gain in a way that will make you understand WHY diets are not successful. She offers hope for improved treatment for those feeling like their weight gain is unexplained and out of control. Unfortunately no one is really replicating her methodology anywhere else, because insurance typically won’t pay for the labwork or the medication. Certainly inspiring and ethically driven work, despite the obstacles. She epitomizes “do no harm” in her care - a fantastic model for other internists and endo specialists helping with issues of weight.
November 25, 2018
Not a diet book, not a self-help book. It's straight up science and an explanation as to why diet and exercise are not the answers to sustained weight loss. It's been known for so long and yet it's still the main belief taught by doctors everywhere. Spoiler alert: diets are what is making you fat.
February 25, 2016
An interesting read and maybe it will help with the battle of the bulge. She resents a compelling case for metabolism being a part. The weight problem.
August 21, 2019
Not a self-help book and not a guide to weight loss. More of a thorough analysis of what science says about metabolism & what clinicians need to do differently for patients.
July 18, 2014
How does one get this kind of help if you don't live in Seattle?
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews