Food Sensitivity Testing: A Tool, Not a Cure-All

Introduction

When people hear that I offer food sensitivity testing, their excitement is often palpable. Many see it as the silver bullet they’ve been searching for, hoping it will reveal which foods they should avoid to feel better. It’s understandable—when we face health challenges, we often think, "It must be something I’m eating." The functional health world has, in many ways, fueled this belief, creating the impression that eliminating certain foods is the key to resolving all health issues. So, when clients learn I run these tests, they feel hopeful and eager for answers.

However, I want to take this opportunity to explain what food sensitivities really are, how they affect the body, what testing reveals, and how I use these tests in my practice. Women, in particular, deserve to have all the information before making decisions about their health—a luxury we’re often denied.

What Are Food Sensitivities, Really?

First, it’s important to understand that food sensitivities are often not the root cause of your health issues. While it may seem like an easy answer, our bodies are far more complex. There’s a distinction between food sensitivities, intolerances, and food allergies. What I’m discussing here are sensitivities, not allergies.

Food allergies, according to the Mayo Clinic, are immune system reactions that occur shortly after eating even small amounts of an allergen, causing symptoms like hives, swollen airways, or digestive issues, and can lead to life-threatening reactions like anaphylaxis. 

Harvard Medical defines food intolerance as the inability to digest certain foods, often due to lacking enzymes to break down the components of a food, such as lactose or histamine (intolerance). 

For food sensitivities, Harvard notes that exposure to specific foods triggers an immune reaction with symptoms like joint pain, stomach pain, fatigue, rashes, and brain fog. Unlike allergies, symptoms from sensitivities can take 2-3 days to appear.

In my experience, food sensitivities are not the magic bullet that will solve all health problems. Some people do discover foods they have a lower tolerance for, but these aren’t typically true allergies. Except for conditions like celiac disease, food sensitivities won’t provide a cure-all solution.

When Do I Use Food Sensitivity Testing?

In my practice, I use a test called the Mediator Release Test (MRT). I run this test on clients who specifically request a food sensitivity test, have a wide array of health concerns, and/or are mentally prepared to handle food restrictions. Let’s dive into these scenarios.

1. Clients Who Request Food Sensitivity Tests
   I value clients who advocate for themselves, especially after being dismissed by conventional medicine. I’m not in the habit of denying them—if a client believes this test could help, I’m eager to provide resources to support them on their journey.

2. Clients Facing Multiple Health Challenges

   For those struggling with mounting health concerns, especially after trying everything else, food sensitivity testing can offer additional insights. While not a standalone solution, it can often provide immediate symptom relief. Personally, I’ve experienced such relief by removing specific foods. I think of food sensitivities as the tip of the iceberg—visible, but beneath lies a much larger issue we need to address at the root.

3. Clients in the Right Mental State

   It’s critical to assess a client’s emotional and mental readiness for this type of restriction. Based on experience, food restrictions can be mentally and emotionally challenging. For clients who feel triggered by food or have a history of disordered eating, I avoid recommending further restriction, as the stress of such diets can be just as harmful as the foods themselves.

How the MRT Test Works

The MRT test is a blood draw. It measures mediators from your immune system rather than IgG antibody reactivity. Though both tests deal with immune reactions, IgG antibodies can capture memory or other information, making them less reliable when correlating food with inflammation and symptoms.

In simpler terms, the MRT test evaluates how your immune system (white blood cells) responds to different foods. If your cells don’t like a particular food, they can release mediators to neutralize the perceived threat, and at varying severity. It’s this mediator release and the amount released that the test measures, making it a more reliable indicator of sensitivities.

My Interpretation of MRT Results

After running this test for many clients, I’ve come to a few key conclusions and patterns. The MRT test evaluates reactions to 170 different foods and chemicals, with most clients showing around 19–22 sensitivities. These can often include foods they eat regularly.

Here’s how I interpret the results:

1. Short-Term Elimination (90 Days)

2. Removing sensitive foods for 90 days can improve symptoms. However, avoiding them longer can lead to nutrient deficiencies. For example, if broccoli shows up as a sensitivity, long-term avoidance would mean missing out on its immense nutritional benefits.

3. Leaky Gut

4. Food sensitivities often point to a larger issue—leaky gut. Healing the gut can allow many sensitive foods to be reintroduced without causing symptoms.

5. Dietary Diversity

6. A key takeaway from these tests is the need to diversify your diet. Trying new foods gives your immune system a break and improves digestion, allowing you to focus on deeper root cause issues.

Symptoms of Food Sensitivities

Food sensitivity symptoms can vary widely. According to Oxford Biomedical Technologies, creators of the MRT, they include:

• Digestive issues (bloating, diarrhea, constipation)

• Headaches or migraines

• Joint pain

• Skin issues (eczema, rashes, acne)

• Fatigue

• Brain fog

• …and more

Conclusion: A Balanced Approach to Food Sensitivities

While food sensitivity testing can offer valuable insights, it’s not a standalone solution to all health problems. It can provide immediate relief and help you uncover some of the factors contributing to your symptoms, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Healing the gut, diversifying your diet, and addressing underlying root causes are all essential steps toward long-term wellness. If you’re considering a food sensitivity test, it’s important to approach it with an open mind, understanding that it’s a tool to support your journey—not the final answer.

With support,
Isabella