Yet they may experience an increase in fat. This can cause weight to stay the same, even though muscle wasting is going on. In people who do not have HIV, weight loss is not usually a serious problem. For example, someone who goes on a diet will eventually lose weight. At the same time, the body works to protect protein during periods of dieting or physical activity.
Protein is needed to build muscle, cells, and organs in the body.
In other words, most people can afford to lose fat. They cannot afford to lose protein. Turning fat into energy also requires a lot of work in the body. To help save energy, the body may go after protein to fuel its energy needs. This is because protein is much easier to convert into energy than fat.