Fats, if sourced properly, are key nutrients - in fact, they allow absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins. They figure in body temperature and hormone regulation. Healthy skin, hair, and immune function even involve fats. Low-fat diets may lead to insulin resistance. Most restaurant and boxed foods have the wrong kinds of fats [often GMO, too - like corn, canola, and soy oils], which aren't the same(1).
Omega-3 fats are fairly well-known for cardiovascular health - blood pressure regulation, reducing fatty deposits in arteries, and anti-inflammatory properties are among such roles. Eye development in babies and lots of brain functions in general require them. Butter is actually is source as well(2).
DHA and EPA are essential omega-3 forms - the former forms 90% of omega-3 content of brain tissue. Both are are present way more in marine animal sources [my family uses a superior source]. A precursor to them called ALA is more in plant sources - converted to them much less efficiently. Fatty acids aren't soluble in water, so need escorts in the bloodstream called lipoproteins - phospholipids as in krill oil tend to be a little different as regards efficiency. Typical pharmaceutical sources of omega-3s are sliced off their triglyceride source, though, and then treated with ethanol(2) - not so good, especially when not taken with meals(2).
Sources:
1. Levy, Jillian. "7 Low-Fat Diet Risks You Need to Know About!" Dr. Axe, Dr. Axe, 19 June 2017, https://draxe.com/low-fat-diet-risks/
2. "How Good Fats Prevent Heart Disease," Mercola, Dr. Joseph Mercola, 11 July 2016, https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/07/11/health-benefits-omega-3-fats.aspx
Omega-3 fats are fairly well-known for cardiovascular health - blood pressure regulation, reducing fatty deposits in arteries, and anti-inflammatory properties are among such roles. Eye development in babies and lots of brain functions in general require them. Butter is actually is source as well(2).
DHA and EPA are essential omega-3 forms - the former forms 90% of omega-3 content of brain tissue. Both are are present way more in marine animal sources [my family uses a superior source]. A precursor to them called ALA is more in plant sources - converted to them much less efficiently. Fatty acids aren't soluble in water, so need escorts in the bloodstream called lipoproteins - phospholipids as in krill oil tend to be a little different as regards efficiency. Typical pharmaceutical sources of omega-3s are sliced off their triglyceride source, though, and then treated with ethanol(2) - not so good, especially when not taken with meals(2).
Sources:
1. Levy, Jillian. "7 Low-Fat Diet Risks You Need to Know About!" Dr. Axe, Dr. Axe, 19 June 2017, https://draxe.com/low-fat-diet-risks/
2. "How Good Fats Prevent Heart Disease," Mercola, Dr. Joseph Mercola, 11 July 2016, https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/07/11/health-benefits-omega-3-fats.aspx
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