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