Which nutrients are important for building and maintaining body cells and tissues?

Proteins are essential nutrients that play a critical role in building and maintaining body cells and tissues. They are made up of amino acids, which serve as the building blocks for various structures in the body, including muscles, skin, and organs. When you consume proteins, your body breaks them down into amino acids, which can then be used for the synthesis of new proteins that are necessary for growth, repair, and overall maintenance of body tissues.

While vitamins, carbohydrates, and minerals also have important roles in the body, they do not serve the primary function of building and repairing tissues like proteins do. Vitamins are crucial for a range of biochemical processes and support immune function, while carbohydrates provide energy, and minerals assist in various physiological functions, including bone health and fluid balance. However, when it comes specifically to the construction and upkeep of cells and tissues, proteins are the key nutrients that fulfill that role.