Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Proteins are essential for muscle repair and growth due to their role as the body's building blocks. When muscles undergo stress from activities such as exercise, micro-tears occur. Protein provides the amino acids needed to repair these tears and facilitate muscle growth, a process known as muscle protein synthesis.

In addition to supporting muscle structure, proteins also play a critical part in the production of hormones and enzymes that influence various bodily functions, including metabolism and muscle recovery. This is why individuals engaged in physical training often prioritize protein intake to optimize their performance and recovery.

Other nutrients like carbohydrates provide energy for workouts, and fats are important for energy storage and hormone production, but they do not play the direct role in muscle repair and growth that proteins do. Vitamins support various metabolic pathways and contribute to overall health, but like fats and carbohydrates, they do not directly facilitate muscle repair and growth in the way that proteins do. Therefore, in the context of muscle recovery and development, proteins stand out as the essential nutrient.