Frequently Asked Questions
What is MRT® and how does it work?
MRT® stands for Mediator Release Testing. It is a blood test that quantifies the inflammatory response to 176 different foods & food-chemicals.
MRT® is licensed by Oxford Biomedical Technologies and is available to medical practitioners.
Why should I incorporate MRT testing into my practice?
Quantifies the inflammatory response to food & food-chemicals
Accounts for clinical and subclinical inflammation
Accounts for the widest range of inflammatory pathways
Capable of measuring both innate and adaptive pathways
What does MRT® actually test?
Click here for a full list of foods and food chemicals that MRT® tests.
What do MRT® results look like?
The results of MRT® testing are presented using the “stop light” approach (i.e. red, yellow, or green categories). Red foods are highly reactive and avoided for at least 6-months. Yellow foods are moderately reactive and avoided for at least 3-months. Green foods are considered low-reactive, but the MRT test is able to quantify results, so the LEAP protocol starts with lower-green and progresses as your patient/client feels better in a systematized approach.
How accurate is MRT® testing?
An accepted method of determining the reliability of laboratory testing is via split sample reproducibility. Oxford biomedical performs weekly split sample testing as part of its internal Quality Assurance Program. MRT® split sample testing consistently reproduces greater than 90%. Clinical research confirms that the MRT® method is useful in identifying cell-mediated food intolerance/hypersensitivity reactions and implementing dietary modifications for symptomatic relief from non-IgE reactions to offending foods. Click here to learn more about the science and research behind MRT® testing.
Why is MRT the best option for food sensitivity testing?
MRT is the best food sensitivity blood test because it gives the most complete picture of the actual inflammation-generating and symptom-provoking reactions taking place inside the body. It is NOT an IgG test, which has limits regarding the many immune reactions that happen in our bodies.
What’s the difference between food sensitivities, food intolerances and food allergies?
Food sensitivities, intolerances and allergies are often confused. Generally, we like to classify good sensitivities and food allergies as the immune responses while food intolerances are non-immune responses. Intolerances often result from inadequate digestive enzymes required to breakdown food (e.g. lactose intolerance requires the lactase enzyme). True IgE food allergies are a non-dose dependent, immediate immune response to a food, such as commonly developed against peanuts and shellfish. Food allergies affect up to 7.5% of American children and only 1-2% of adults. Food sensitivities are a dose-dependent, delayed immune response to food and are more challenging to pinpoint than food allergies, since sometimes a reaction won’t happen for 24-36+ hours. It is estimated that 10-20% of the population suffer from food sensitivities.
What is LEAP Protocol and Eating Approach?
LEAP stands for Lifestyle, Eating, and Performance. It is a systematic and controlled protocol that allows patients to implement dietary changes with a great deal of success and satisfaction. The LEAP diet plan contains whole, natural foods that are personally recommended for your patients based on their MRT® results and lifestyle and personal preferences. LEAP reduces the guesswork of elimination diets by utilizing a proprietary 3 phase system that brings about a calming effect on the immune system. Lowest reactive (low-green) foods are introduced to the diet first with more foods added back in each subsequent phase. Their diet will become more varied over time with the ultimate goal of reintroducing all of the foods they tolerate and still allow them to feel their best!
How do I get started?
To begin offering MRT testing in your practice complete our Lab Client form HERE.
How long will it take for your patients to feel better?
Relief from symptoms often occurs in as little as 10-14 days! However, sometimes individuals will feel a bit worse before feeling better. This feeling may be a mild flu-like withdrawal symptoms usually subsides after the first week on the diet plan. As the program continues, most continue to feel better, with very significant improvement after the first month.
The ultimate goal of the program is to have a varied, balanced, nutritious diet that helps the patient to feel their best! Following a restrictive diet for the long run is not advised. They will be coached through the process of food reintroduction and timing. If they do not feel better based on the results of their symptom survey and self-reported symptoms after the first 2 weeks, we troubleshoot and work to readjust their program to make sure they get the best results.
What is a CLT?
Your practice may want to team up with a Registered Dietitian or Certified Nutrition Specialist specially trained to work with LEAP clients. (This is on top of their Master’s degrees in Nutrition.)
CLT stands for Certified LEAP Therapist. All CLTs complete a comprehensive training developed by a team of dietitians, physicians, immunologists, and medical business professionals with more than 100 years combined experience in treating food sensitivity related conditions.
How is progress assessed?
Your patient will complete an Initial Symptom Survey, allowing them to measure the severity and frequency of symptoms over the past 1-month prior to starting our program. Thereafter, they will be instructed on completing the Follow Up Symptom Survey at various intervals throughout the program. Other measures used to assess progress may be weight or other anthropometric measurements, inflammatory markers, blood sugar levels, blood pressure, sleep patterns, etc. These measurements will be discussed during the initial appointment.
What if this doesn’t work?
This program is not intended to cure or reverse any disease. It is intended to help your patients feel better and improve symptoms. However, if there is no improvement in symptoms with the standard protocol there are additional avenues to explore. We will make a referral to more advanced services that can assist you with your needs.
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