Living LEAP: My MRT / Food Sensitivity Test Results

If you’re new to the Living LEAP series start here. 

As I mentioned, a few weeks ago I took the MRT test (Mediator Release Test), a specialized blood test that checks your immune system response (or non-response) to 150 foods and chemicals. The MRT test does a live cell analysis that identifies foods and chemicals which provoke the release of mediators that cause pain and inflammation. It looks at reactions to foods that your body may have beginning 45 minutes up to 3 days after eating the offending food.

Using the results, you and/or your dietitian, certified LEAP therapist, doctor, etc. devise a 6-phase food sensitivity elimination diet plan that helps systematically build a healthy diet of foods that can be tolerated. The goal is to consume foods that are anti-inflammatory and immune-calming for your body specifically.

So, while I wait for my dietitian to send over my meal plan (it was quite a challenge to create… you’ll see why in a moment), I thought I’d share the results of my MRT test.

Significant reactions are broken into either Reactive (Red) or Moderately Reactive (Yellow) categories and insignificant reactions (Green) are placed in the Non-Reactive category.

click images to enlarge

The image below highlights some of my most reactive foods/chemicals/additives.

The reason my LEAP diet plan is going to be a tricky one is because lecithin and sodium metabisulfite are in many food items as well as beauty/hygiene products.

Sodium Metabisulfite can also be found under the following names – sulfite, sulfur dioxide, potassium bimetabisulfite (or just metabisulfite). Foods that are high in sodium metabisulfite can include: wine, beer, ale, soft drinks, processed fruits and vegetable juices,frozen fruits, dried fruits, corn syrups, maraschino cherries, commercially prepared/dehydrated potatoes.

Lecithin is found in egg yolks, soybeans, corn as well as an additive in breakfast cereals, candy, chocolate, baked goods, margarines, frozen desserts, salad dressings, non-stick cooking sprays.  It can be found in certain medications as well.

Salicylic Acid can go by the following names – amyl salicylate, phenyl salicylate, menthyl salicylate, glyceryl salicylate, benzyl salicylate, dipropylene esters (also known as benzoates). Aspirin contains salicylic acid as do some toothpastes, lotions, chewing gum, makeup and mint flavored products.

So, that is what I’m up against.

It’s definitely going to be a challenging journey but one I believe will be well worth it. I have already learned so much and I’ve only just begun! 

My biggest take away so far? Even if a food is “healthy,” it may not be healthy for you! What works for someone else’s body may not work for yours and vice versa.

I hear ya now, body… let’s do this thing!☺

xo, meg

To read the next installment of this series click here.