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My Back Is Killing Me! Eat Some Kale!

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Dental hygenist Mary Ann Delaney's back was always in pain. Excrutiating, have-trouble-moving pain.

Her back pain was so severe, it was ruining her life. Her weight wasn't helping. Delaney was 215 pounds. Now she is 70 pounds lighter and she credits starting an "anti-inflammation" diet as the secret of her weight loss and pain-free life.

 

Pain expert Dr. Mark Darrow is 100 percent convinced many people can be pain-free by changing their diet. He suggests more protein, more water, more vegetables.

Researchers at Michigan State University found a chemical in tart cherries that has anti-inflammatory properties. And when it comes to veggies, experts say ... the greener the better. Try kale, spinach, broccoli. And when it comes to fruit, pile on the dark berries.

Olive oil, green tea, and brightly-colored fruits and vegetables all have been proven to lessen inflammation in cartilage in the spinal column -- that also helps control back pain and stiffness.

Dr. Jason Haymes, another expert in pain medication, says saturated fats (the bad fats, boo hiss) also seem to be pro-inflammatory. On the other hand, he says, fatty acids found in foods like salmon, walnuts and sardines are good for you.

Experts also suggest you should avoid caffeine and nicotine because both increase your chances of having muscle spasms.

Dr. Darrow spells it all out.

Take:

Vegetables, but avoid starchy one like potatoes...

Fruits/mostly berries

Proteins/if you eat red meat buy grass fed...it's high in omega threes...

Vitamins, especially D.

Avoid:

All processed foods

No grains, no flours, no dairy...they can be inflammatory...

Sugar

Caffeine and alcohol...

For more information about relieving joint pain, visit Dr. Darrow's joint rehab at the following link: http://www.jointrehab.com/

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