Canned salmon is a convenient, relatively inexpensive means of obtaining fish protein. Although nutritional labels do not usually include information regarding vitamin A and the amino acid taurine, both these nutrients are typically present at some level in canned salmon. Consult your doctor before making any significant dietary changes.
Taurine
Taurine is considered a non-essential amino acid. That doesn't mean it's an unimportant substance, but that your body is capable of synthesizing it. If your taurine levels are too low, your risk of certain eye problems, stunted growth or cardiomyopathy increase. Taurine has a stabilizing and detoxifying effect on certain metabolic processes, including bile acid production and regulation of calcium in your body's cells. As a supplement, taurine has been used as a complementary therapy for certain cardiovascular diseases, seizure disorders including epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, alcoholism and cystic fibrosis. Taurine is not proven as a treatment for any of these conditions, and further research is needed regarding its potential health benefits.
Vitamin A
Your body needs vitamin A to grow and maintain healthy teeth, bones, tissue, skin and mucus membranes. Vitamin A is also responsible for pigmentation of the retina in your eye. Vitamin A deficiency may reduce your ability to see well in low lighting. Food sources of vitamin A include eggs, meat, cheese, cream, cod and halibut fish oil. Salmon is one of the few dietary sources of vitamin A that does not have a high cholesterol and saturated fat content. Vitamin A is measured in international units, and a recommended daily intake is 5,000 IU.
Vitamin A and Taurine Content
According to data from the USDA standard nutrient database, 100 g of canned pink salmon -- when drained -- contains 75 IU of vitamin A. Data for taurine content of canned salmon is not usually given. A 2007 study published in the journal "European Food Research and Technology" indicates that uncooked farmed salmon flesh has a typical taurine content of 60 mg in every 100 g. Taurine levels could be increased during salmon processing, to as high as 891 mg per 100 g. However, cooking the salmon typically reduces its taurine content. As canned salmon has been previously cooked, it is safe to assume that canned salmon contains less than 60 mg of taurine per 100 g, unless it is taurine-enriched.
Variables
The nutrient profile of canned salmon varies according to the type of salmon. For example, sockeye salmon contains more vitamin A than pink salmon, when canned then drained. Canned sockeye salmon contains 128 IU of vitamin A in every 100 g. Alaska Native king salmon, when kippered then canned, contains only 50 IU of vitamin A per 100 g. The highest vitamin A content is found in Alaska Native canned red salmon, with the bones removed. This salmon contains 216 IU of vitamin A per drained 100 g.
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