Tomas has taken up bodybuilding and is starting to become more interested in a diet to improve athletic performance. He read an article in a bodybuilding magazine that said he should dramatically increase his dietary protein intake. What happens to protein that is consumed in excess of dietary needs?

The correct answer is: excess amino acids may be used to meet energy needs or converted to and stored as fat.

Explanation:

Increasing protein intake is key to further develop strength and muscle hypertrophy, which are needed for a career in bodybuilding, but consuming more protein than needed can have quite the opposite effect.

In order to succeed in the path of increasing muscle mass, protein needs to be 1) ingested according to the person's dietary needs, and 2) accompanied by exercise to use the energy it gives to the body, otherwise this energy will be stored as fat and may lead to weight gain.

They are stored as carbohydrate or fat

Explanation:

The amine group in the amino acids that constitute the excess protein are removed and converted into urea or uric acid in a process known as deamination.

The remaining portion of the amino acids which is essentially carbon and hydrogen is converted into carbohydrate or fat and later oxidized to generate energy for the body.