The pursuit of extreme thinness is dangerous because it often leads to a loss of muscle mass, which is nonetheless essential for metabolic health, bone strength, and longevity.

noli's read

This advice is based on solid scientific foundations. Research in physiology (notably meta-analyses published in the 'Journal of the American Medical Directors Association') confirms that muscle mass is a major predictor of survival and quality of life in aging adults. The role of muscle in regulating blood sugar (via glucose storage) and in bone mineral density is well-documented by numerous observational and clinical studies. Layne Norton's argument regarding the risks of muscle loss induced by restrictive diets is therefore medically relevant. However, the term 'dangerous' is a broad interpretation of health, which remains accurate in the context of severe nutritional deficiencies. The creator avoids reductionism here, highlighting that the perception of thinness is influenced by cognitive biases (repeated exposure), a phenomenon recognized in social psychology.

the sources

1. 1Wu Y, Wang W, Liu T, Zhang D 2017
2. 2Li R, Xia J, Zhang X, et al. 2018