What macronutrient is essential for building and repairing tissues?

Proteins are the macronutrients that are essential for building and repairing tissues in the body. They are composed of amino acids, which serve as the building blocks for various bodily tissues, including muscles, skin, organs, and even enzymes and hormones. When the body undergoes growth, repair after injury, or muscle recovery following exercise, proteins play a crucial role in these processes.

Amino acids derived from proteins are vital for synthesizing new tissue and repairing damaged ones, which is particularly important in growth phases or during recovery from illness or injury. In contrast, carbohydrates primarily serve as a source of energy, while fats are important for energy storage and cellular functions. Vitamins, although critical for various biochemical processes, are micronutrients and do not directly contribute to tissue building or repair. Thus, proteins uniquely fulfill the role of tissue maintenance and repair, making them essential in this context.