What are considered the body's building blocks?

Proteins are considered the body's building blocks because they play a crucial role in the structure, function, and regulation of the body's tissues and organs. Every cell in the body contains proteins, and they are essential for the growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues. Proteins are made up of amino acids, which are often referred to as the building blocks of proteins themselves. These amino acids are necessary for various bodily functions, including the synthesis of enzymes and hormones, and they are vital for muscle development as well as the healing process.

In contrast, while carbohydrates provide energy and are important for overall nutrition, they do not serve as building blocks in the same way as proteins. Fats are essential for energy storage and overall cell function, but they do not contribute to the structural integrity of cells to the same extent. Minerals are vital for numerous biochemical processes and maintaining bodily functions, but they do not form the structural components of cells. Thus, proteins hold the primary role as the building blocks of the body.