Does protein give you energy?

While most energy comes from the carbohydrates an individual consumes, a body can't use that energy unless it has plenty of protein, Fitday indicates. So protein's role is more of a supporting one; protein doesn't directly provide a body with energy.

Protein's role is to maintain muscle and create enzymes and hormones, Fitday states. Protein helps keep the body's metabolism steady so that the carbohydrates consumed can do their job of generating energy. If an individual uses protein instead of carbohydrates as the body's main source of fuel, the body performs below optimum level and can be subject to dehydration.