How is dietary protein primarily used in the body?

Dietary protein is primarily utilized in the body for building and repairing tissues. Proteins are made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks essential for the maintenance and growth of various bodily components, including muscles, organs, skin, and hair. When the body undergoes growth, recovery from injury, or muscle repair after exercise, amino acids from dietary protein play a crucial role in these processes by facilitating the synthesis of new proteins required for rebuilding tissues.

While proteins can be used for energy, they are not the body's primary energy source; carbohydrates and fats generally serve that function. Additionally, proteins are not stored as fat or converted to carbohydrates in significant amounts. Their main role is structural and functional within the body, making the option that centers on tissue building and repair the most accurate representation of protein's primary use in the body.