7 Top Things to Know about MRT Food Sensitivity Testing

MRT food sensitivity testing has become an increasingly popular way for people with food sensitivities to identify specific foods that are causing food-related symptoms and chronic health problems. Read on to learn more about MRT food sensitivity testing, what differentiates it from other food sensitivity tests and how it may be beneficial to you.

What is a food sensitivity test?

Food sensitivity tests identify specific foods or food chemicals that cause inflammatory responses within the body. When our body encounters one of these foods or chemicals, our immune system triggers the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals, known as “mediators,” that can cause adverse or unpleasant symptoms.

The MRT (Mediator Release Test) is considered the highest standard of food sensitivity tests currently available. The MRT is a simple, patented blood test that identifies our body’s reactions to 140 foods and 30 food chemicals by measuring the number of mediators released and the subsequent changes in white blood cells.

In this way, the MRT test can identify which items cause an inflammatory response in your body. Substances are then designated as highly reactive, moderately reactive, low reactive or non-reactive.

Who is food sensitivity testing for?

Food sensitivity testing is for just about everyone.

Unfortunately, millions of people suffer from food sensitivities. Even individuals with extremely healthy eating habits may experience food-related symptoms when those specific foods are inflammatory to their bodies. It can be difficult to pinpoint exactly which foods are triggering to our body because symptoms may not appear for hours or days after exposure, and symptoms are often dose-dependent (meaning you can take a couple of bites and be fine but eat the whole thing and the immune system attacks).

Medications can also mask potentially adverse symptoms, making it difficult to identify underlying causes of our health issues. Without identifying and addressing food sensitivities, we may be delaying the healing process and spending significantly more money on unnecessary treatments and medications.

What are symptoms of food sensitivities?

Symptoms and conditions that may be related to food sensitivities include:

• Migraines and/or other types of headaches
• Hives, eczema, skin rashes
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), heartburn and other gastrointestinal issues
• Bloating or diarrhea
• Acid reflux
• Brain fog
• Fatigue, irritability, anxiety and other mood disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Joint or muscle pain
• Congestion or respiratory conditions
• Behavioral issues, such as anger, aggression, hyperactivity or attention deficit disorder (ADD)

Are food sensitivities and food allergies the same thing?

No, food sensitivities differ from food allergies and food intolerances in several ways.

Food allergies:

• Directly involve the immune system
• Occur when the body produces Immunoglobulin E (IgE) – antibodies produced by the body's immune system – in response to a food, which triggers the release of histamine and proinflammatory compounds
• Result in an anaphylactic, potentially life-threatening response
• Occur quickly, typically within minutes to hours
• Examples include allergies to peanuts and shellfish

Food intolerances:

• Do not involve the immune system
• The body cannot properly process or digest specific foods
• An example is lactose intolerance

Food sensitivities:

• Involve the immune system, like food allergies, but through different pathways
• Pro-inflammatory chemicals called “mediators” are released into the bloodstream in response to specific foods or chemicals, resulting in uncomfortable symptoms
• Delayed or dose-dependent response
• Examples include soy, corn, eggs and gluten

What are the benefits of MRT food sensitivity testing?

A blinded peer-reviewed scientific study showed MRT to have the highest level of accuracy of any food sensitivity blood test on the market.

MRT directly measures a wide range of diet-induced sensitivity pathways in a manner that provides patients with valuable clinical information about how their bodies are responding to 140 different foods and 30 food chemicals. It also identifies the best foods for patients to consume, which provides the basis of the MRT nutrition protocol.

Other common blood tests (such as IgG tests) can only identify trigger foods through limited pathways. They cannot identify reactions to food chemicals, meaning they do not provide an entire picture of potential food sensitivities.

How does food sensitivity testing work?

Ochsner Fitness Center registered dietitians are here to support you throughout the food sensitivity testing process to help you get to the underlying cause of your health issues rather than treat individual symptoms. The process involves the following steps:

1. Contact Ochsner’s nutrition department at nutrition@ochsner.org to schedule a free initial phone consultation to discuss your symptoms and health concerns. If MRT is a fit for you, you will receive a test kit to have your blood drawn by a local lab.
2. Results will be sent directly to your Ochsner Fitness Center dietitian, who will review the results with you and present a personalized dietary report and full analysis.
3. The MRT analysis clearly identifies all reactive foods and food chemicals (low, moderate and highly reactive) that are currently causing inflammation within your body. You will now be able to see what is and what is not causing an immune response in your body – no frustrating random elimination diets necessary.
4. You and your dietitian will create a customized meal plan together, guided by your input along the way. Your dietitian will work closely with you throughout the process; your nutrition protocol will evolve and adapt as symptoms improve over time.

Where to get more information:

For more information on MRT food sensitivity testing and to schedule your initial consult, contact nutrition@ochsner.org or call 985-898-7050.