Fat is an obsession, a dirty word, a subject of national handwringing--and, according to biochemist Sylvia Tara, the least-understood part of our body. Despite popular perception, fat has multiple positive functions. Dr. Sylvia Tara reveals that fat is not just excess weight but actually a dynamic, smart, and self-sustaining organ that influences everything from aging and immunity to mood and fertility. Using cutting-edge research and riveting case studies, Tara illustrates fat's incredible capabilities for self-defense. Exploring the unexpected ways viruses, hormones, sleep, and genetics impact fat, she uncovers the true secret to losing weight: working with your fat, not against it. The Secret Life of Fat shows how we can finally control our fat by understanding how it works.