Mediator Release Test
In my practice, I often use the Mediator Release Test (MRT) as a supportive tool alongside GI-MAP stool analysis for clients addressing gut health, immune system sensitivity, and food-related symptoms. The MRT is particularly useful for those navigating restrictive diets, histamine-related issues, or unclear food sensitivities.
These MRT results showed high immune reactivity to broccoli and low to cucumber.
The MRT is a functional blood test that measures the body's inflammatory response to 170 different foods and food chemicals. Rather than focusing on IgE or IgG antibodies, the MRT assesses the release of chemical mediators—such as histamine, cytokines, and prostaglandins—from white blood cells. These mediators are involved in inflammatory and immune processes that may contribute to symptoms in some individuals.
While MRT is not a diagnostic test, it can provide helpful insight into how the immune system may be reacting to specific foods, guiding a more individualized dietary approach.
How MRT Can Be Helpful
Many clients come to me after months or years of eliminating foods without clear improvement—sometimes ending up with diets that are so limited they are difficult to sustain. The MRT may offer a structured and data-informed way to reintroduce foods more confidently while identifying those that may be contributing to inflammatory symptoms.
In practice, MRT results can help to:
Identify lower-reactivity foods to support dietary expansion
Highlight unexpected or non-obvious triggers not caught by conventional allergy or sensitivity testing
Guide individualized dietary protocols to reduce symptoms
Support clients managing histamine-related symptoms or sensitivities
Complement broader strategies for gut repair and immune balance
Clients often find it empowering to move away from generalized elimination diets and toward a more personalized, sustainable nutrition plan.
Why I Combine the MRT with GI-MAP Testing
I rarely use the MRT in isolation. When paired with GI-MAP testing, which analyzes microbial imbalances, digestive function, and immune markers, the MRT becomes part of a more comprehensive approach to identifying potential drivers of inflammation or dysregulation.
Together, the GI-MAP and MRT can help to:
Identify underlying gut imbalances that may contribute to food reactions
Guide both antimicrobial and dietary interventions more effectively
Clarify whether immune symptoms may be linked more to microbial load, food exposure, or both
Provide a real-world strategy for adjusting diet while supporting digestive healing
This combination allows for more targeted and efficient care, particularly in complex cases involving multiple overlapping symptoms.
When MRT and Lingual-Neuro Testing Align
While Lingual-Neuro Testing (LNT) is a subjective tool, I have sometimes observed notable overlap between LNT findings and MRT results. In a few cases, foods that triggered sensitivity responses during LNT were later identified as reactive through MRT testing.
Although these methods differ in their mechanisms—such correlations can help strengthen clinical insight. When different types of tools point to the same food or chemical, it may suggest a meaningful pattern worth exploring further.
This integrative use of LNT and MRT is especially helpful when working with complex or sensitive cases, and supports a more personalized approach to self-discovery.
Who Might Benefit from MRT Testing
In my experience, MRT-guided nutrition plans have been particularly helpful for individuals who:
Are experiencing persistent digestive symptoms, inflammation, or fatigue
Suspect food sensitivities may be contributing to their health concerns
Are managing histamine intolerance or immune system hyperreactivity
Feel limited or confused by overly restrictive diets
Are seeking more clarity and confidence in their food choices
Want to support immune balance and gut function through nutrition
As with any tool, MRT is most effective when used in the context of a complete clinical picture—including health history, symptoms, lab testing, and lifestyle factors.
Important Considerations
MRT is not a diagnostic test, and it does not confirm or rule out medical conditions. It is used as a nutritional guidance tool, intended to inform dietary adjustments that may reduce symptom burden or improve quality of life.
While scientific validation for food sensitivity testing remains a topic of debate in conventional medicine, many clinicians and clients report that MRT-guided elimination and reintroduction strategies are a helpful component of a personalized care plan.
All dietary and medical decisions should be made in consultation with your licensed healthcare provider.
Disclaimer
The Mediator Release Test (MRT) is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The MRT is used for educational and nutritional guidance purposes and should be interpreted by a qualified practitioner in the context of a broader health assessment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making significant dietary or medical changes.
