Which nutrient is essential for hormone production and cellular structure?

Lipids are essential for hormone production and maintaining cellular structure, which makes this response accurate. They include both fats and oils, and play a critical role in various biological functions. Hormones such as steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol, which is a type of lipid. Additionally, lipids contribute to the formation of cell membranes through phospholipids, providing structural integrity and fluidity.

While proteins are also vital for hormone production, particularly in the synthesis of peptide hormones, they do not play the same role in cellular membrane structure as lipids do. Carbohydrates primarily serve as a source of energy and have limited roles in hormone production or cellular structure compared to lipids. Vitamins, on the other hand, assist in various metabolic processes but are not directly responsible for the structural or hormonal functions attributed to lipids. This context helps clarify the importance of lipids in these critical physiological roles.