Physician and bestselling author Dr. Gabrielle Lyon isn’t pulling any punches when it comes to defending health advice from political agendas. After Vanity Fair published a provocative article titled “Why Are Americans So Obsessed With Protein? Blame MAGA,” Dr. Lyon, who was directly named in the piece, is setting the record straight.
“Health is for everybody,” she told. “Health doesn’t have a political belief, nor should it. 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.”
For Lyon, whose credentials include being a board-certified physician and the author of Forever Strong, the idea of tying dietary habits to a political movement is not only absurd, it’s harmful.
Protein Is Not a Political Statement
The Vanity Fair article claims that the nation’s “protein mania” is part of the broader “manosphere”, a term used to describe a digital culture that embraces masculinity and often promotes anti-feminist views. The article loosely links protein-heavy diets with MAGA politics and hyper-masculine online personalities.
But Dr. Lyon isn’t buying it.
“What a wasted opportunity to actually correct some of the science,” she said. “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.”
Women Want Strength Too
One of the glaring misfires in the article, according to Lyon, is its near-total focus on men ignoring a rising movement among women to embrace strength and muscle-building as a part of holistic health.
“We’re really entering an era where women want to be strong and recognize the importance of it,” Lyon said.
“And listen, muscles for everybody. We need more women who believe in strength.”
Dr. Lyon’s content, as the article itself acknowledges, is primarily geared toward educating and empowering women about the benefits of protein and resistance training.
Credentials Over Clickbait
While the article describes Lyon as a “prominent pro-protein online personality,” it seemingly glosses over her years of scientific training and medical expertise. And that, she said, is telling.
“What does it matter that I’ve had over a decade of training from some of the world-leading scientists? 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.”
Protein: A Vital, Often Misunderstood Nutrient
Lyon also pushed back against current nutritional guidelines that she believes are outdated. Specifically, she criticized the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein, currently set at 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight, as insufficient for long-term health and vitality.
“Protein is the most essential macronutrient and, actually, it’s the only macronutrient that we need more of as we age,” Lyon explained. “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. 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.”
Not Just for Men
The Vanity Fair piece also quoted Dr. Pieter Cohen, an internist at Cambridge Health Alliance, who speculated that the rise in protein interest is mostly a male phenomenon. “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 said.
Dr. Lyon had a sharp response.
“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,” she said.
Keep Politics Off the Plate
As debates around food, health, and identity continue to stir cultural battles, Dr. Lyon’s message cuts through the noise: Science should lead, not ideology.
For Lyon, protein isn’t political. It’s personal. And she’s standing firm, muscles, facts, and all.
