Food Allergy: A food allergy is an exaggerated immune response triggered by specific foods such as eggs, peanuts, or milk.

Food Sensitivity/Intolerance: According to Oxford Biomedical Technologies, food sensitivities are intricate immune reactions that differ significantly from typical allergies. Unlike allergic reactions, which involve a direct immune response, food sensitivities occur when certain foods trigger white blood cells to release inflammatory mediators such as cytokines, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. These mediators lead to inflammation and can cause various symptoms, including pain and discomfort. This process is distinct from the mechanisms of allergic reactions, making it difficult for standard allergy tests to detect food sensitivities or intolerances. MRT (Mediator Release Test) is designed specifically to identify these non-allergic immune responses and help pinpoint the foods that may be causing issues.

Overconsumption: Eating too much of the same food, like wheat found in various meals, can lead to sensitivity.

Leaky Gut Syndrome: When the gut lining is inflamed, small openings allow undigested proteins and bacteria into the bloodstream, causing allergies and infections.

Lack of Probiotics: Friendly bacteria in the intestines are essential for gut health. Antibiotics, stress, poor diet, and other factors can disrupt this balance, leading to issues. Overworked Immune System: Stress, pollution, and chemicals in food strain the immune system, reducing its ability to handle food antigens.

Genetics: Food allergies and intolerances often run in families. If both parents have allergies, their children have a higher chance of developing them. Genetic variations can also determine the severity of sensitivities, such as to lactose or nightshades.

During your initial consultation with a clinical nutritionist, we will listen to your concerns and determine if we are able to work with you and address your needs. Once you've scheduled your appointment, you can expect us to give you a call at the appointed time, ask some questions to understand the basics of your story, answer questions, and plan next steps. If our program isn't a fit for you, we will recommend another provider to better suit your needs.

Our program is designed to help individuals identify and manage food sensitivities through a structured process of elimination and reintroduction of foods. Please note that this program is not suitable for individuals with a history of disordered eating, as it involves the elimination of certain foods, which may not be appropriate for those with such conditions. If you have a history of disordered eating, we recommend seeking specialized support .

Unfortunately, we are a cash payment provider. We do accept HSA/FSA cards.

While we strive for a food-first approach, based on some functional testing, some supplements will be recommended to help fill in some nutrition gaps. We will provide you with a protocol so you can easily track your supplements. Supplements will be carefully chosen to NOT contain any reactive ingredients.

It’s crucial to avoid foods that trigger an immune response in your body. The safest way to determine if you can reintroduce a previously reactive food is through a “challenge” after a period of avoidance, typically lasting three to six months. This reintroduction process should be supervised by your healthcare provider to ensure it’s done safely. In some situations, it may be necessary to retest to assess if your reactions to certain foods have changed, as sensitivities can evolve over time. Retesting is generally guided by clinical needs—such as if you start experiencing symptoms again despite adhering to your dietary plan. This helps in adjusting your plan to maintain your health effectively.

When you start eliminating reactive foods from your diet, it's not uncommon to feel temporarily worse before you feel better. You might experience symptoms like reduced energy, increased aches and pains, headaches, irritability, or a general sense of feeling worse rather than better. While this can be discouraging, it’s actually a positive sign indicating that your body is beginning to recover. Food sensitivities can act similarly to food addictions. Physicians treating food sensitivities have long observed that patients often experience temporary withdrawal symptoms when they stop eating reactive foods.

This phase is believed to be part of a "cleaning up" process where your body clears out allergens and recalibrates its biochemical balance. To manage this discomfort, it's important to be prepared. If you regularly consume caffeine, consider gradually reducing your intake before starting your elimination diet to minimize headaches, drowsiness, and fatigue associated with caffeine withdrawal. If you do experience withdrawal symptoms, stay in close contact with your healthcare provider and follow their advice.

Over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or Advil may help alleviate some discomfort, as long as you aren't sensitive to any of their ingredients. Additionally, drinking plenty of water can help ease the temporary symptoms of withdrawal. Remember, these initial reactions are usually a sign that your body is adjusting and moving towards a healthier state. Stick with the program and consult your doctor for support and guidance.

Maintaining your food sensitivity program while dining out is entirely possible, but it does require careful planning and awareness of hidden sources of reactive foods. Here are a few tips to help you navigate this:

Advance Planning: Before heading to a restaurant, review their menu online or call ahead to discuss your dietary needs with the staff. This helps ensure there are safe options available for you.

Communicate Clearly: When you arrive, inform your waiter or the chef about your specific food sensitivities. Ask detailed questions about the ingredients used in dishes, including potential hidden sources of reactive foods.

Educate Yourself: Familiarize yourself with common and hidden sources of your reactive substances. This knowledge is invaluable for identifying potential triggers in restaurant dishes.

Refer to Resources: For more detailed guidance, check the sections on "Common & Hidden Sources of Test Substances" and "Restaurant and Travel Tips." These resources provide comprehensive information to help you stay on track while enjoying meals away from home. With these strategies, you can enjoy eating out while adhering to your dietary plan and avoiding any food sensitivities.

Consuming foods that your body reacts to can have significant setbacks on your health progress, potentially delaying your recovery by weeks. For this reason, it's crucial to avoid any foods that have tested as reactive or are known to trigger symptoms. However, life can sometimes make it challenging to stick strictly to your dietary plan. If you find yourself in such a situation, the best alternative is to limit your intake to foods that are low-reactive according to your test results. This strategy can help you manage until you can fully return to your original plan.

Keep in mind that the more you deviate from your prescribed diet, the more you risk compromising your results. When you adhere to your LEAP Program, you should notice a significant reduction in cravings within the first 5-10 days. It's important to remember that cheating on your program won’t provide any long-term benefits and often leads to problems in the short, medium, and long term. One way to help resist cravings is to reframe your perspective on reactive foods. Think of these foods as toxins to your system. For example, many people crave chocolate, but imagine if that chocolate was laced with poison—most would avoid it at all costs.

Understanding that reactive foods are essentially harmful to your body can make it easier to find healthier alternatives. By staying committed to your LEAP Program and recognizing the harm of reactive foods, you can better navigate your diet and work towards optimal health.

A blinded peer reviewed scientific study showed MRT to have the highest level of accuracy of any food sensitivity blood test:  94.5% sensitivity and 91.8% specificity.

You can follow this link on Oxford Biomedical's website to read about testimonials: https://www.nowleap.com/patient-experiences/