Oxford Biomedical Technologies is a specialized laboratory for diagnostic testing for food and chemical sensitivities. The company aims to identify inflammatory reactions that are not related to traditional allergies or celiac disease. These reactions can trigger various symptoms in individuals. Oxford Biomedical Technologies is a private entity and maintains no direct affiliation with Oxford University, despite the similarity in names.
The Mediator Release Test
The Mediator Release Test (MRT) is a patented blood test to assess individual responses to various food antigens and chemicals. This test operates by measuring changes in the solids-to-liquid ratio of a blood sample after it has been exposed to specific substances. When white blood cells encounter a substance they perceive as a threat, they release chemical mediators such as cytokines, histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins, which are linked to inflammatory responses. This release of mediators causes the white blood cells to shrink, altering the fluid balance in the sample.
The MRT is characterized as an “endpoint” test, measuring the actual release of mediators, rather than focusing on a single chemical pathway. This approach differs from other common food sensitivity tests, such as IgG antibody tests, which measure the presence of specific antibodies. IgG antibodies may increase due to recent consumption of a food and do not always indicate a negative reaction or symptom. The MRT, in contrast, aims to capture all types of non-IgE mediated food sensitivity reactions, including Type III and Type IV, by directly observing cellular changes and mediator release. The test typically evaluates reactions to approximately 170 different foods and chemicals.
The LEAP Diet Protocol
The Lifestyle Eating and Performance (LEAP) diet protocol is a personalized anti-inflammatory eating plan based on Mediator Release Test results. LEAP is not a diagnostic test itself, but rather a structured dietary intervention. After undergoing the MRT, patients receive a detailed report that categorizes foods and chemicals into different reactivity levels: highly reactive, moderately reactive, and non-reactive.
This individualized report forms the foundation of the patient’s dietary strategy. A Certified LEAP Therapist (CLT) or another qualified practitioner then guides the patient through the LEAP protocol. The process typically begins with an elimination phase, where only the lowest reactive foods are consumed for a brief period, often 10-14 days, to calm the immune system. Following this, a systematic reintroduction phase allows for other non-reactive foods to be added back, and eventually, higher-reactive or untested foods may be challenged to determine individual tolerance. The role of the CLT is to provide support, meal planning ideas, and troubleshooting advice to help patients navigate this comprehensive dietary program.
Conditions Addressed by MRT and LEAP
Oxford Biomedical Technologies suggests that its MRT test and LEAP protocol can help manage a range of inflammatory health conditions. These conditions are theorized to be influenced or exacerbated by diet-induced inflammation. Primary conditions frequently cited include Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), chronic migraines, and fibromyalgia.
Beyond these, the approach is also applied to skin conditions like eczema, urticaria, and cystic acne, as well as inflammatory arthritis and chronic fatigue. The underlying theory is that food and chemical sensitivities trigger the release of pro-inflammatory mediators, leading to systemic inflammation and symptoms in various body systems. By identifying these specific dietary triggers through MRT and then implementing the LEAP anti-inflammatory eating plan, the goal is to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms in affected individuals.
Scientific and Clinical Perspectives
Oxford Biomedical Technologies asserts that the Mediator Release Test (MRT) demonstrates high accuracy, reporting a sensitivity of 94.5%, a specificity of 91.7%, and a reproducibility of 93.6%. The company points to studies, including those with the University of Miami, and research presented at medical conferences, indicating MRT can differentiate between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, correlate with inflammation and symptoms, and lead to symptom reduction when diets are based on its findings.
Despite these claims, the broader medical and scientific community is cautious about the MRT and similar food sensitivity tests. These tests are often considered controversial due to a perceived lack of extensive, independent, peer-reviewed clinical trials in mainstream journals. For instance, a systematic review noted that mediator release testing was primarily represented on consumer sites rather than in established scientific literature. Mainstream allergy and immunology organizations do not endorse this type of testing for diagnosing food sensitivities, recommending established methods for true food allergies. The Commission on Dietetic Registration discontinued support for the MRT in 2016 due to insufficient evidence for its diagnostic use.