Liver King accused of fuelling muscle dysmorphia in young men as he faces £20 million lawsuit

Influencer Brian 'Liver King' Johnson, who is known for his large muscles, 'ancestral lifestyle' and habit of eating raw meat has been accused of causing young men to develop muscle dysmorphia.

Muscle dysmorphia is a type of body dysmorphic disorder where a person becomes preoccupied with the idea that their body is not how they want it to be.

In the case of muscle dysmorphia this means a person being obsessed with the idea that their body is not muscular enough, even if they're actually ripped enough to grate a chunk of cheddar on their abs.

The Liver King is known for his muscular physique, which he last year admitted he had used steroids to obtain following leaked emails from someone called Vigorous Steve.

Mr Steve, or Vigorous as he might like to be known to his nearest and dearest, said he wanted to 'end the lies dead in their tracks'.

@liverking/Instagram

This led to the Liver King being sued for $25 million (£20 million) for alleged false advertising over selling supplements to his fans while not revealing that his own muscles were helped by steroid use.

The lawsuit, launched by Christopher Altomare of New York, is bringing legal action against Johnson and his companies.

It claims he has encouraged a 'dangerous and life-threatening diet' which could cause a person serious illness.

The lawsuit read: "Liver King persuaded millions of consumers to adhere to, or abide by, the Eat Tenet by repeatedly making representations to consumers that his near-perfect physique, and optimal health, were solely attributable to his adoption of the Ancestral Tenets, predominantly the Eat Tenet."

Johnson issued an apology after his steroid use was revealed and promised to go '100 percent natural' from that point on.

He's still sharing images of himself on social media months after he'd said he ditched steroids and claims that, if anything, he's become even more ripped without them.

Instagram/@liverking

Johnson said that his Liver King persona was an 'experiment to spread the message' of his 'ancestral living' style as he believed men had become 'lost, weak and submissive' and by adopting an act he could better promote his 'caveman' lifestyle.

According to the Daily Mail, health experts are warning that the presentation of unrealistically ripped bodies risks leading to young men believing their own physiques aren't good enough.

"'Young people look to influencers as their idols in a way previous generations looked at movie stars, musicians." Emily Hand told ABC.

Meanwhile, fellow fitness YouTuber Greg Doucette admitted to his own steroid use and said there was 'pressure more than ever to look good'.

LADbible have contacted Liver King's representative's for comment.