Which pair of functions correctly matches a vitamin-like nutrient with the mechanism by which it most directly supports cellular metabolism?

• A. Lipoic acid — integrates into phospholipid bilayers to provide structural integrity to hepatocyte membranes and exported lipoproteins.
• B. Choline — primarily oxidizes to acetyl-CoA in mitochondria and directly participates in electron transport chain complexes I and III.
• C. Carnitine — shuttles long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria for β-oxidation, thereby supporting fat-derived energy production.
• D. Inositol — directly donates acyl groups for lipid oxidation in mitochondria and functions as the rate-limiting enzyme cofactor in the Krebs cycle.

Answer: (C)