Does Sole Contain Omega-3 Fats?

Most of the omega-3 fatty acids your body needs to stay healthy must come through your diet. Fish are the major sources of two of the essential omega-3 fatty acids 3. Even though sole is not usually found at the top of the list, it turns out to be a good source, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It’s also packed with protein, vitamin B-12 and vitamin D.

Sorting Out the Omega-3s

One of the three main omega-3 fatty acids -- alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA -- comes from plants, such as walnuts, flaxseeds and vegetable oils. The other two omega-3s are found together in fish and fish oil. The two omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil are sometimes reported separately, so you may also encounter their names: eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA. EPA and DHA are the most potent omega-3 fatty acids, according to Colorado State University Extension.

Benefits of Fish Oil

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EPA and DHA help reduce inflammation throughout your body. They affect the function of cell membranes, and they help form the barrier in your skin that prevents dehydration. During pregnancy, DHA is essential for the normal development of the baby’s brain and eyes. EPA and DHA lower your risk of cardiovascular disease by reducing levels of triglycerides and cholesterol, lowering your blood pressure and preventing arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. If you already have heart disease, getting enough fish oil may lower your risk of dying from a heart attack.

Amount in Sole

Even though sole is low in fat, with just 2 grams in a 3-ounce serving, it's a good source of EPA and DHA. You'll get 0.14 grams of EPA and 0.11 grams of DHA in 3 ounces of sole, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Their combined total of 0.26 grams provides 23 percent of women's and 16 percent of men's recommended daily intake. Along with the omega-3s, one serving of sole only has 73 calories yet supplies 13 grams of protein, 20 percent of your RDA of vitamin D and 41 percent of your RDA for vitamin B-12.

Recommended Intake

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Your body converts some of the ALA you consume into EPA and DHA, but it doesn’t produce enough, so the amount you get in your diet is important, according to a report in the June 2011 issue of “Circulation.” The recommended daily intake for total omega-3 fatty acids is 1.1 grams for women and 1.6 grams for men. The Institute of Medicine has not established separate recommendations for EPA and DHA, but some organizations offer guidelines. Ohio State University suggests getting 250 to 500 milligrams of combined EPA and DHA daily. If you have cardiovascular disease, the American Heart Association recommends consuming 1 gram of combined EPA and DHA daily.