This is a question for a biologist:

I often skip supplementation in sick herps where supplementation has no bearing on the likely illness, and I often skip heavy protein/fat...just to put less of a strain on the organs in general. Especially with regard to digestion and bowel movement.

But in this case ( emaciated ), is the logic primarily the same? i.e. taxation on organs, such as the liver, and reduction in metabolism from excessive fat and unnecessary supplements?
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"A man that should call everything by it's right name, would hardly pass the streets without being knocked down as a common enemy." The Complete Works of George Savile, First Marquess of Halifax 1912,246