What Is the LEAP Diet?

The LEAP program (LEAP stands for Lifestyle, Eating, and Performance) is an elimination diet-based strategy designed to address any food sensitivities a patient may have. The diet is tailored to each individual person based on Mediator Release Testing (MRT) results and seeks to eliminate foods that person is sensitive to for health improvement and symptom reduction.

Foods are categorized by color:

• Red (highly reactive)

• Yellow (moderately reactive)

• Green (non-reactive)

The LEAP diet will begin by allowing only green (non-reactive) tested foods. As time goes on, some yellow and red foods may be reintroduced one at a time so that it’s easy to see whether the patient has a reaction to it, but this is after several months of avoidance and only if the person has seen an improvement in symptoms. Avoidance of processed foods, artificial sweeteners, high-sugar foods and other pro-inflammatory items should be avoided long-term. The LEAP program is not a fad diet but a lifestyle change designed to achieve optimal health and wellness for those who follow it.

What Is a LEAP Therapist?

A LEAP therapist is a registered dietitian or nutritionist who specializes in creating a LEAP program for their patients. A LEAP dietitian is trained by Oxford Biomedical Technologies (the administrator of the Mediator Release Test, or MRT) in the identification and management of food sensitivities. A LEAP dietitian will be able to design a LEAP diet for their patients that is crafted to their unique food sensitivities.

What Causes Food Sensitivities?

There’s still a lot to learn about exactly what causes food sensitivities. However, the following factors are widely accepted to be contributing factors:

• Poor digestion

• Unbalanced gut flora

• Chronic stress

• Immune system overload

• Genetics

• Overexposure to chemicals

What Is the Difference Between a Food Sensitivity, Food Intolerance, and Food Allergy?

A food allergy is an adverse reaction to a food that triggers the immune system and is mediated by the Immunoglobin E (IgE). Food sensitivities are adverse reactions to food that also trigger the immune system but are mediated instead by the body’s white blood cells. Food allergies are also typically triggered very quickly after eating the food that causes the adverse reaction, usually within minutes to hours of ingestion. A food sensitivity, however, is typically triggered later, usually forty-five minutes up to three days afterward.

A food intolerance, on the other hand, does not trigger the immune system at all, but still causes an adverse reaction. Lactose intolerance is a common example of a food intolerance.

What Is Mediator Release Testing (MRT) and How Does it Work?

Mediator Release Testing (MRT) is a patented blood test that identifies food and chemical sensitivities that can play a role in many common chronic health conditions. These can include:

• Irritable bowel syndrome

• Chronic diarrhea

• Heartburn

• Acid reflux

• Migraines

• Other headaches

• Joint pain

• Muscle pain

• Irritability

• Chronic sinusitis

• Difficulty losing weight

• Skin eruptions

MRT quantifies how strongly your immune system reacts to certain foods and chemicals. 

Although there are several methods for testing for food sensitivities, Mediator Release Testing is widely accepted as the most accurate. MRT measures intracellular mediator release and has an accuracy of 94.5% sensitivity and 91.8% specificity.

Do I Need a Referral From My Doctor?

You do not need a referral from a doctor in order to make an appointment with Innovative Health. However, if you want your insurance to reimburse you for any costs incurred, your insurance company may require a doctor’s referral. You can call the 1-800 number on the back of your insurance card to verify coverage and any requirements the insurance company may have.

Will My Insurance Pay for Innovative Health’s Services?

Our practice is cash-based, but you’re welcome to submit a request for reimbursement from your insurance company on your own. You should check with your insurance company first to see if Medical Nutrition Therapy is covered under your policy. Some insurance companies may be willing to reimburse patients for this, but some may not.

In addition, we would not be considered an in-network provider for any private insurance company. However, you can use a Flex Spending Account or HSA to pay for our services.