NBA star Kevin Love says he eats an anti-inflammatory diet filled with fatty fish

• The NBA star Kevin Love said fatty fish had helped him stay fit and playing in the NBA at 33.
• Love said his fish of choice was salmon, which is dense in protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

For the NBA star Kevin Love, fatty fish is a key to staying in shape and playing at a high level at age 33.

The five-time All-Star has helped lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to six straight wins and third place in the Eastern Conference as the team's longest-tenured veteran, in his 14th NBA season.

Love said his diet of anti-inflammatory fatty fish was one of the reasons he'd continued to excel this year.

"I eat a lot of fatty fish, and, being from the Pacific Northwest, my diet consists of a lot of salmon," Love told Insider. "I find that everyone's diet is unique to themselves. For me, it's all about eating foods that keep inflammation down and provide me with energy for the grind of an NBA season. I also make sure to avoid excessive carbohydrates and sugars."

Love also identified air quality as a tenet of his wellness routine — he's invested in and uses the Molekule Air Mini air purifier whenever he travels.

He's showing a veteran's poise this season, averaging 16.4 points and 7.8 rebounds and just 1.1 turnovers over his past five games.

Fish is a favorite of elite athletes because of its protein and anti-inflammatory properties

Salmon, tuna, swordfish, trout, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies are all types of fatty fish that experts say can be incorporated into a healthy diet.

Love is not alone — the former NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal recently said in an interview with Men's Health that salmon had been a go-to meal over the past year while he's tried to lose weight.

The NFL quarterback Tom Brady has said through his TB12 wellness program that he follows a diet that is 80% plant-based with the remaining 20% dedicated to protein including wild-caught fish like salmon, tuna, or trout.

Fish is a good choice for professional athletes — one serving of salmon can account for 41% of a person's recommended daily intake of protein, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

Fatty fish is loaded with vitamins like B3, B5, B6, B12, D, and E, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, and potassium, which can help reduce inflammation. That anti-inflammatory effect has been linked with heart health and a reduced risk of injury.