Final answer:
Consuming additional protein calories beyond an individual's daily requirement leads to the excess being used as energy, but if not needed for energy, it will be stored as fat, potentially leading to weight gain and obesity. Excessive protein intake can also stress the kidneys and contribute to osteoporosis. Pregnant women may need more protein for fetal and maternal tissue growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
An intake of additional protein calories above an individual's daily requirements will usually be used by the body as a source of energy if immediate needs for growth, repair, and other vital functions are already met. However, any unused energy in food, which includes carbohydrates, proteins, or fats, is stored in the body as fat. Therefore, consistently consuming more energy than what is needed can lead to weight gain and potentially obesity, which is characterized by a body mass index (BMI) of 30.0 kg/m² or greater.
It's important to note that while proteins have a high Specific Dynamic Action (S.D.A.), meaning they increase the metabolic rate to about 30% due to the deamination process in the liver, excessive intake beyond the body's energy requirements will still ultimately contribute to fat storage. Moreover, extreme intakes of proteins could place pressure on the kidneys and possibly lead to conditions like osteoporosis due to calcium leaching. Nonetheless, legitimate needs for increased protein intake might occur during stages like pregnancy, where the mother requires more energy for fetal metabolism and additional maternal tissue.