Question 1

What is the MRT?

Accepted Answer

MRT stands for Mediator Release Test. This is a simple blood test kit that is delivered  directly to your home. Once received, you can take it to any participating lab for an easy blood draw. The cost of the test itself is included in your Intensive Package; however, the lab draw fee is paid out of pocket.

The MRT evaluates your body’s inflammatory response to 176 common foods and chemicals—including items found in everyday staples, processed ingredients, supplements, medications, and personal care products. This test helps identify which foods and chemicals may be provoking unwanted reactions. These responses can appear anywhere from 30 minutes to 72 hours after exposure, which is why they are often difficult to pinpoint without testing.

By reducing exposure to reactive foods and focusing on nutrient-dense, compatible options, many people experience improvements in systemic inflammation and find relief from chronic symptoms.

For more details—or to see the complete list of 176 foods and chemicals tested—click 176-MRT.(https://www.nowleap.com/test-profiles/)

Question 2

What is the GI-Map Test?

Accepted Answer

The GI-Map (Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus)  is a stool test preformed by Diagnostic Solutions. The kit is is delivered to your door and can be preformed in the comfort of your own home and shipped FedEx.

The GI-MAP test provides a comprehensive stool analysis using quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), the most accurate method available for identifying the presence of  microorganisms DNA.   The GI-Map identifies and quantifies keystone, commensal, opportunistic, and pathogenic bacteria; viral pathogens, parasites (protozoa & worms), fungal organisms; and digestive, inflammatory, and detoxification markers in a single stool sample.

The GI-Map test helps your nutrition practitioner determine imbalances in the gut and how they relate to other systems and symptom in the body. This test removes the guesswork of confusing symptoms and helps provides your practitioner with an effective course of action to help your digestive function be brought back into balance.

For more information click GI-Map Test.  (https://www.diagnosticsolutionslab.com/tests/gi-map)

Question 3

What is the Comprehensive Blood Panel?

Accepted Answer

The Comprehensive Blood Panel is a customized test ordered through Evexia Diagnostics that measures 79 blood markers. This extensive evaluation provides insight into key areas of health, including blood sugar regulation, digestion, cardiovascular function, red blood cell health, nutritional status, anemia patterns, liver and gallbladder function, thyroid health, immune activity, inflammation, kidney function, and adrenal balance.

The lab kit is delivered directly to your home, and it’s easy to locate a nearby facility for the blood draw. The cost of the test itself is included in the Intensive Package; however, the phlebotomy (blood draw) fee is not included.

Your results are interpreted through a functional lens, focusing on identifying subtle imbalances and supporting the prevention of future health risks. As a Nutritional Therapy and Restorative Health Practitioner, my role is not to detect or diagnose disease, but to promote optimal wellness by assessing blood markers within more optimal, functional ranges than those typically used in conventional medicine.

Question 4

Can my doctor order the Comprehensive Blood Panel and can I have my insurance cover the cost?

Accepted Answer

Great question — and the answer can vary depending on your doctor, your insurance plan, and your current medical situation.

Yes, your doctor can possibly order all of the blood tests you request; however, that does not guarantee that your insurance company will cover them. Insurance typically pays for blood work only when the doctor can document medical necessity, meaning the test is needed to diagnose or monitor a specific condition. Conventional medicine is focused on identifying active disease, not on detecting earlier imbalances that may contribute to confusing or non-specific symptoms. As a result, many healthcare providers are limited in what they can order based on what insurance will approve.

Paying out of pocket for blood work that insurance does not cover can become very expensive. The Comprehensive Blood Panel I offer costs only $218. One of the panels it includes is a complete thyroid with antibodies.  If you were to pay for the complete thyroid panel out of pocket through a traditional medical provider, this thyroid panel alone can cost $350–$550.

If your doctor is able to order all of the same tests included in the Comprehensive Panel and your insurance agrees to cover them, I am happy to waive the $218 fee. However, I strongly recommend contacting your insurance company beforehand to confirm what will or will not be covered so you can avoid unexpected charges.

Question 5

Do you except insurance?

Accepted Answer

Native Nutritional Therapy does not accept insurance — and here’s why:
​
Most insurance plans are built around conventional medicine, which focuses on diagnosing and treating disease. Unfortunately, this model often overlooks the deeper, preventive, and root-cause approach that functional nutrition provides.

Functional nutrition takes a different path. It aims to uncover the underlying causes of symptoms, restore balance, and support the body’s natural ability to heal. This approach uses whole foods, herbs, supplements, and lifestyle and environmental modifications as key components of restorative health that traditional medical insurance systems typically do not recognize.

Because Native Nutritional Therapy practices a holistic and individualized model of care, many of the specialized consultations and functional lab tests I offer are not covered by insurance providers.
​
I hope that in the future, healthcare will evolve to better serve the people and not just the industry, by supporting preventive and functional approaches that promote lasting wellness.

Question 6

How many supplements will I have to take?

Accepted Answer

Great question — and the answer truly depends.

The number of supplements you may need varies based on your current health status, the phase of your protocol, your comfort level with supplementation, and your budget. Each plan is tailored to support your unique needs and goals.

It’s quite common for clients to take 3 to 8 supplements, usually one to three times per day, depending on their individualized protocol.

If affordability is a concern, please know that you receive a 25% discount on pharmaceutical grade supplements for the duration of your program.

I also make every effort to include only the most essential and effective supplements—nothing unnecessary or excessive. When possible, supplements are selected to be multi-functional, supporting more than one area of health at a time.

My goal is to help you achieve results efficiently, sustainably, and in a way that aligns with your lifestyle, preferences, and budget.

​

Question 7

How long does it take to complete the Intensive Package?

Accepted Answer

The 10-Session Intensive Package typically takes the duration of 4 to 5 months. Consultations are typically spaced out every two weeks to allow individuals time to successfully progress through their action steps of each of phase.  Some individuals require additional time to complete the 10-Sessions because of life circumstance and busy schedules; therefore, individuals are allowed 6-months from their first schedule appointment date to complete the package.

After the completion of the 10-Sessions some individuals require additional consultation to help them continue to progress through the 6-Phases approach.  Additional Grow Forward Support Sessions are available to purchase in single sessions or Grow Forward Support Session Package including 4 or 8 sessions.

For more information, click Grow Forward Support Sessions.

Question 8

What is your cancellation policy

Accepted Answer

To honor the time, preparation, and materials involved in your individualized plan, all nutrition packages are non-refundable after your program begins.  If you need to withdraw before your first appointment, you may cancel within 48 hours of purchase for a full refund. After the program begins, unused sessions may be rescheduled but not refunded. A 24-hour notice is required for all appointment changes.

We understand that life can be unpredictable, and sometimes excusable circumstances arise that prevent you from attending a session or continuing your program as planned. If you experience situations such as illness, family emergencies, or other unforeseen events, we ask that you contact Native Nutritional Therapy as soon as possible.

In such cases, we are happy to work with you to:

• Reschedule sessions at a mutually convenient time
 • Pause your program temporarily if needed

While our standard policy is that packages are non-refundable once the program begins, we aim to handle excusable circumstances with flexibility, compassion, and fairness. Our goal is to support your progress while accommodating life’s unexpected challenges.

Question 9

What if I have more questions?

Accepted Answer

If you have more questions about Native Nutritional Therapy and the services it provides it means you are a thinker and care about your health.

Please feel free to e-mail Jodie Stephenson, NTP, RWP-2, BSc, at nativenutritionaltherapy@gmail.com (nativenutritionaltherapy@gmail.com)or book  a 20 minute Free Discovery Call. I would be happy to answer any question you may have about the services and if your health concerns are within the scope of my practice.

I hope to hear from your soon!

Common Questions & Additional Information

10-SESSIONs

Intensive Package

See your health through a new lens and uncover a personalized path to optimal wellness.

What's included...

Total of 10 Scheduled Consultations

Health Evaluation Methods & Testing

Intensive Package Format

Additional Benefits

Investment

THE 6-PHASE APPROACH

Phase One

Assessment & Testing

Phase One: Assessment & Testing

Understanding your symptoms and labs for lasting health solutions

Initial Health Assessment

Initial Health Questionnaire

5-Day Food & Mood Journal

NutriQ - 320 Health Questionnaire

Preliminary Actions Steps

Phase Two

Foundational Nutrition

Phase Two: Foundational Nutrition

Begin to address the foundational pillars of health, customized to your unique digestive and health needs

Phase THREE

Opening Pathways of Elimination

Phase Three: Opening Pathways of Elimination

Ensure that the body’s elimination pathways are open and operating to prepare for detoxification.

Phase FOUR

Eradition & Detoxifcation

Phase Four: Eradication & Detoxification

Release any obstructive toxins and unwelcome intestinal residence.

Phase FIVE

Phase Five: Heal the Gut & Restore Gut Microbiome

Repair your gut from the inside out by strengthening the gut lining and supporting beneficial bacteria.

Heal the Gut & Restore Gut Microbiome

Phase SIX

Phase Six: Growth Assessment & Plan Forward Pathway

Growth Assessment & Plan Forward Pathway

Answers to Common Questions