Do you ever notice your body aches more after a weekend of takeout or packaged snacks? It might not be your imagination.

In this episode of The Pain-Free Formula Podcast, Stacey Roberts explores the hidden impact of ultra-processed foods—those industrial, ingredient‑heavy items that often dominate modern diets—and how they may be quietly fueling inflammation associated with muscle and joint pain. Stacey walks through the evidence based science of gut barrier disruption, oxidative stress, microbiome imbalance, and how these mechanisms connect diet to pain signaling.

You’ll also get practical strategies for dialing down the inflammatory fire. This episode is for anyone who wants to understand why their pain flares and what to do about it.

Timestamped Highlights

• [00:00:00] – Why pain can flare up after takeout, snacks, or quick meals
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• [00:01:00] – What counts as ultra‑processed and why it matters more than you think
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• [00:02:00] – NIH study: two diets, same calories—very different results
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• [00:03:20] – How food companies design cravings and profit from inflammation
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• [00:03:40] – Hidden inflammation: what CRP, IL‑6, and TNF‑alpha reveal
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• [00:04:00] – Gut barrier damage: how additives trigger “fire alarms” in your body
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• [00:04:48] – The oxidative stress analogy: teenagers, houses, and free radicals
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• [00:06:00] – How processed foods strip antioxidants and weaken your defenses
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• [00:06:28] – The gut microbiome connection: fewer good bacteria, more inflammation
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• [00:07:18] – How gut inflammation spreads to joints, muscles, and nerves
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• [00:07:51] – Neurobiology 101: how inflammation turns into chronic pain
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• [00:08:27] – Central sensitization: when your nervous system stays “on alert”
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• [00:09:14] – Why even healthy foods can trigger pain if you’re sensitive to them
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• [00:10:00] – Not all processed foods are evil—balance and moderation matter
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• [00:11:23] – Why correlation isn’t causation (and what studies still can teach us)
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• [00:12:10] – First step: swap just one processed meal for a whole‑food option
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• [00:12:37] – Label literacy: short ingredient lists = healthier choices
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• [00:13:01] – Anti‑inflammatory allies: omega‑3s, polyphenols, and fiber
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• [00:13:32] – Why gentle movement helps inflammation and how to modify workouts
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• [00:14:41] – The food‑pain journal: how to spot triggers over time
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• [00:15:17] – What to do if you still have pain on a clean diet (hint: testing!)
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• [00:16:23] – When to get ALCAT testing and how it uncovers hidden sensitivities
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• [00:17:01] – Stacey’s closing message: “Pain is not a life sentence—heal from the inside out.
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Safety Reminders

• This episode doesn’t focus on dosage; it’s about food quality and habits.
• Avoid relying on IgG tests—they are less reliable in Stacey’s clinical experience.

If you suspect certain foods trigger your symptoms, call 414‑299‑8121 or email [email protected] to learn more about ALCAT food sensitivity testing.

References & Further Reading

• Elma, Ö., Brain, K., & Dong, H. J. (2022). The Importance of Nutrition as a Lifestyle Factor in Chronic Pain Management: A Narrative Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(19), 5950. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11195950
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• Hall, K. D., Ayuketah, A., Brychta, R., Cai, H., Cassimatis, T., Chen, K. Y., … Zhou, M. (2019). Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake. Cell Metabolism, 30(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2019.05.008
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• O’Connor, Anahad. “What a scientist who studies ultra-processed foods eats in a day.” The Washington Post, October 1, 2025. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2025/10/01/kevin-hall-ultra-processed-foods/

Important Links

• Pain-Free Formula Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pain-free-formula/id1802518411
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• Free eBooks - https://newyouhealthandwellness.com/ebooks
• Biomechanics: When Movement Matters
• Heal Your Gut, Heal Your Pain - The Gut Joint Axis: A Missing Link to Joint and Muscle Health
• Hormones: A Missing Piece in Pain Relief
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• Stacey’s Book on Amazon - https://www.amazon.ca/Pain-Free-Formula-Solving-Injections/dp/0998183717 
• New You Health and Wellness Website - https://newyouhealthandwellness.com

About the Host

Stacey Roberts, PT, MBA, MSN, RN, is an Amazon bestselling author, physical therapist, registered nurse, and functional medicine specialist with 30+ years of experience. She founded and runs New You Health and Wellness in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Her program, detailed in her book, The Pain-Free Formula; Solving The Puzzle of Muscle and Joint Pain Without Surgery, Drugs or Injections, has helped thousands overcome chronic pain and reclaim their vitality.

The Pain-Free Formula Podcast is brought to you by Stacey Roberts and Podcast Your Brand. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Medical Disclaimer

Information in this program, as well as any information provided by New You Health and Wellness and its subsidiaries, is provided for informational purposes only. This information is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by a licensed physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging that we supply. Do not use the information on this website or podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read or heard in this program. Information provided in this program and any other presented by New You Health and Wellness LLC, and the use of any products or services purchased from New You Health and Wellness LLC by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship or healthcare provider-patient relationship between you and any of the health professionals affiliated with our website or clinic. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Nothing stated or posted on this site or in this podcast or available through any services is intended to be and must not be taken to be the practice of medical or counseling care. For purposes of this agreement, the practice of medicine and counseling includes, without limitations, psychiatry, psychology, psychotherapy or providing healthcare, treatment instructions, diagnosis, prognosis or advice.