Doctor slams Vanity Fair for ‘blame MAGA’ link to America’s obsession with protein

Dr. Gabrielle Lyon criticized Vanity Fair after an article that sought to “blame MAGA” for an obsession with high-protein diets.

The board-certified physician and bestselling author of “Forever Strong” spoke with Fox News Digital after she was mentioned in the article published this month, titled “Why Are Americans So Obsessed With Protein? Blame MAGA.”

“Health is for everybody. Health doesn’t have a political belief, nor should it,” Lyon said. “It should be about unifying us and making us stronger. Because at the end of the day, if you have a strong country… then you have… Strong character, strong children.”

“What a wasted opportunity to actually correct some of the science. The reality is, the majority of individuals are overweight or obese. According to the Dietary Reference Intake, the majority of us, 95% or so, are over-consuming refined carbohydrates and grains. We’re not over consuming high-quality proteins,” Lyon told Fox News Digital.

“From the Liver King to the podcast bros to RFK Jr.’s MAHA constituents, America’s infatuation with protein has reached a fever pitch—and it’s undeniably gendered,” the Vanity Fair piece by Keziah Weir claims, contending that American “protein mania” has been building.

The article focuses on men and claims the protein trend has been part of a “’manosphere’ helmed by Donald Trump.”

“The intertwinement of masculinity and red meat (and its attendant health properties, namely protein) is strong and deep-seated,” Weir writes, and refers to Lyon in the article as a “prominent pro-protein online personality.”

“What does it matter that I’ve had over a decade of training from some of the world-leading scientists?” Lyon fired back. “I think it was unfortunate. It was very unfortunate and truly a missed opportunity from the writers to be able to highlight the importance, and of course correct what’s happening in our country.”

Lyon has long advocated for women’s need for protein and sees no reason for politicizing the protein issue.

“We’re really entering an era where women want to be strong and recognize the importance of it. And listen, muscles for everybody. We need more women who believe in strength,” she said.

My recommendation is that adults should aim for 1g protein per lb of ideal body weight daily. Distribution matters – start & end your day with at least 30g high-quality protein for optimal muscle protein synthesis (MPS). Research shows that meals with ~30g protein effectively… pic.twitter.com/PiUYD8inCG

— Dr. Gabrielle Lyon (@drgabriellelyon) November 8, 2024

“Why wouldn’t a woman want to be strong and take care of this tissue, and also, weights, and red meat is not just for guys, it’s for everybody,” Lyon said.

“Protein is the most essential macronutrient and, actually, it’s the only macronutrient that we need more of as we age. Of course, there’s carbohydrates, but the body can generate its own carbohydrates based on the food that you’re eating,” she explained.

“And the need for essential fatty acids is very low. But protein, dietary protein, while we call it protein, it’s actually made up of 20 different amino acids. And each of these amino acids do various things that are critical for overall health, and it’s not interchangeable,” she added.

Pieter Cohen, an internist at Cambridge Health Alliance, was quoted in the Vanity Fair piece saying he has more male patients who are “interested in protein.”

“I don’t have a good sense on what’s driving that right now, other than if it’s just the usual manosphere—or manomania, here in the United States,” Cohen, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, told Weir. “Everyone’s letting their testosterone out these days.”

Senior Staff Writer
[email protected]

Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

Latest posts by Frieda Powers (see all)

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.