What does protein do when it is used for energy rather than for muscle maintenance?

When protein is utilized for energy rather than for its primary purposes, such as muscle maintenance and repair, it undergoes a process known as deamination. This process removes the amino group from the amino acids, converting them into intermediates that can enter metabolic pathways for energy production. The remaining part of the amino acid can then be used for energy, but this means that the protein is essentially being wasted for its intended functions, like building and repairing muscle tissue. Instead of being used to support muscle growth, these amino acids are transformed into forms that the body can use or eliminate, making this choice the most accurate reflection of what happens when protein is diverted for energy.