Power Food: Salmon

It's high in protein, high in healthy Omega-3's, it's delicious and versatile. It's salmon. Find out more about this power food below, and give our Lime and Honey Glazed Salmon with Warm Black Beans & Corn Salad a try - you won't be sorry!

Many people know that salmon is very high in protein, as well as being one of the richest sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, which can help lower the risk of heart disease, stroke or heart attack, it has an anti-inflammatory and anti-depressant effect, it can help lower your cholesterol and can aid in fat loss. But salmon is also an excellent source of many other important nutrients:

• Tryptophan
An essential amino acid that the body uses to synthesize protein, it's also a precursor for serotonin, which helps the body regulate appetite, sleep patterns and mood: All important factors in maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle.


• Vitamin D
This vitamin is necessary to keep your bones and teeth strong and regulates the growth and activity of your cells. Although you can get plenty of this vitamin naturally from the sun, with growing concern over sun exposure and skin cancer risks (not to mention those dark, dreary winter months), it's important to get enough vitamin D from your food sources as well - and salmon is chalk full of it, providing your complete daily requirement in only one serving!


• Selenium
An important mineral for anyone leading an active lifestyle. It helps protect your cells from free-radical damage (intense activity has been shown to increase free-radical generation), critical to maintaining proper function of the thyroid (a properly functioning thyroid is essential to a healthy metabolism) and it helps lower your risk of joint inflammation, which is especially important to athletes who put a lot of pressure on their joints. Salmon is a very good source of selenium, providing almost 75% of your daily requirement.


• Vitamin B3
Vitamin B3, commonly known as Niacin, plays a very important part in energy production. Niacin is needed to convert proteins, carbs and fats into usable energy and is also involved in the process of metabolizing fats.


• Vitamin B6
Most amino acids (the building blocks of protein) require a sufficient amount of B6 in order to synthesize protein. As well, since most molecules require this B-vitamin in their production, B6 is considered an essential part in the production of almost all new cells in the body. As if this wasn't enough, B6 also helps in processing carbohydrates (sugars and starch). Carb processing plays a large part in physical performance, so having enough of this important vitamin is critical to reaching your goals.


• Vitamin B12
This essential B-vitamin plays an important part in red cell development and in preventing anemia. It also helps your nerve cells develop properly and helps your body metabolize proteins, fats and carbohydrates.