What is the primary role of protein in the body?

The primary role of protein in the body is to build and repair tissues. Proteins are composed of amino acids, which are essential for the growth, maintenance, and repair of various bodily tissues, including muscles, skin, organs, and cells. This makes protein particularly crucial for recovery after exercise, injury healing, and overall physical development.

While proteins can also serve other functions, such as acting as enzymes or hormones, their fundamental role lies in supporting and reconstructing bodily structures. This is in contrast to energy provision, which is more closely associated with carbohydrates and fats that are the body’s primary energy sources. Likewise, temperature regulation is primarily managed by the body's thermoregulatory processes, not directly by protein. Lastly, while certain proteins (enzymes) can influence digestion, proteins themselves are not primarily responsible for the digestive processes. This underscores the importance of proteins as the building blocks of bodily tissues.