# Gabrielle Lyon

Gabrielle Lyon is an American physician specializing in family medicine, with a focus on geriatrics and nutritional science, particularly protein metabolism. She is the founder of the Institute for Muscle-Centric Medicine and the author of the New York Times bestselling book Forever Strong: A New, Science-Based Strategy for Aging Well. Her work emphasizes muscle health as a key factor in longevity, performance, and disease prevention, though some of her claims have sparked debate.

## Early life and education

Lyon completed her undergraduate training in Nutritional Sciences, specializing in Vitamin and Mineral Metabolism, at the University of Illinois, where she studied under protein metabolism expert Donald Layman. She earned her medical degree and completed a combined research and clinical fellowship in geriatrics and nutritional sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. Lyon also trained in psychiatry for two years, enriching her holistic approach to health.

## Career

Lyon founded the Institute for Muscle-Centric Medicine, promoting a science-backed approach that prioritizes skeletal muscle health over traditional fat-loss models. Her clinical practice serves leaders, innovators, executives, and Special Operations Military personnel, focusing on personalized strategies to optimize body composition and metabolic health. She has collaborated with Dr. Donald Layman for over two decades, applying protein metabolism research to patient care.
Lyon developed Muscle-Centric Medicine, which views skeletal muscle as the body's largest endocrine organ and a critical regulator of metabolic function, hormonal balance, and disease prevention. The approach advocates resistance training and a protein intake of 1.6 to 2.2 grams per kilogram of body weight daily to combat age-related muscle loss, which she considers more dangerous than fat gain.

## Publications

Lyon has authored several works, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestseller Forever Strong: A New, Science-Based Strategy for Aging Well, soon to be available in twenty languages. Other publications include No Small Plans, Gut Strong, Sleep Strong: A Muscle-centric Approach to Mastering Your Circadian Rhythm, and Muscle-Centric Mornings, a guide with high-protein breakfast recipes.
She hosts The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show podcast, featuring discussions with experts on nutrition and wellness. Lyon has appeared on the Shawn Ryan Show and Huberman Lab Podcast, discussing topics like aging and muscle health.

## Research

Lyon’s research explores protein metabolism and muscle’s role in aging, performance, and disease prevention, emphasizing strength training and protein-rich diets. Her work with the military demonstrates practical applications of her findings for high-performance individuals.

## Controversies

Some of Lyon’s statements have faced scrutiny. A 2023 fact-check disputed her claim that falls are the leading cause of death among Americans over 65, with CDC data citing cardiovascular disease as the primary cause. Her promotion of red meat, asserting no controlled trials show downsides, contrasts with studies suggesting cardiovascular risks, prompting debate over her dietary recommendations.

## Selected works

* Forever Strong: A New, Science-Based Strategy for Aging Well (Book)
* No Small Plans (Book)
* Gut Strong (eBook)
* Sleep Strong: A Muscle-centric Approach to Mastering Your Circadian Rhythm (eBook)
* Muscle-Centric Mornings (Guide)