Final answer:
Vitamin E is the nutrient responsible for protecting cell lipids and other compounds from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. It works in conjunction with other antioxidants and is a fat-soluble vitamin, which is absorbed and stored in the body's lipid stores.
Step-by-step explanation:
The vitamin that protects all the cell's lipids and related compounds is Vitamin E. This vitamin, along with other antioxidants such as vitamin C, selenium, and carotenes, plays a critical role in protecting cellular membranes from oxidative damage. This damage is primarily caused by free radicals that attack the polyunsaturated fatty acids in the cell membranes, leading to the formation of peroxides. Vitamin E is particularly effective because it can stop these chain reactions by reacting with the free radicals to form a less reactive molecule. Furthermore, dietary lipids help in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K, which are essential for various bodily functions.
Besides Vitamin E, other substances like ß-carotene, a precursor that can be converted to vitamin A in the body, also act as antioxidants. And while fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body's lipid stores, it's important to note that excessive accumulation can lead to hypervitaminosis.