Our Functional Medicine Approach
to Root Cause Healing
Megan Pennington | BSc Clinical Nutrition (McGill University) | Certified LEAP Therapist (CLT)
The Right Place
If You've Tried Everything and Still Don't Feel Well, You're in the Right Place
You eat healthy foods. You've tried supplements. You've seen doctors, avoid certain foods, and maybe even take medication. Yet you still wake up exhausted, dealing with chronic pain, gut issues, and/or an autoimmune condition that never quite goes away.
You're not imagining it. And it's not "just stress."
The reason conventional approaches often fall short is because they focus on managing symptoms rather than identifying and addressing the underlying triggers causing those symptoms in the first place.
At MP Integrative Health, we do things differently. We use functional medicine and root cause healing to ensure optimal results.
Our Philosophy
The Root Cause Philosophy: Why We Don't Just Treat Symptoms
Conventional medicine is exceptional at acute care — broken bones, infections, emergencies. But for chronic conditions, it often falls short because it asks "What medication can manage this symptom?" rather than "Why is this problem happening in the first place?"
Our functional medicine approach asks a different question: "What are the underlying triggers causing your body to respond this way?"
Chronic symptoms like inflammation, digestive distress, skin conditions, fatigue, and autoimmune flares are not random. They are your body's response to specific conditions — often including food sensitivities, gut imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, chronic stress, and environmental factors.
When we identify and address these root causes, the body's natural healing capacity can do what it was designed to do: repair, restore balance, and function optimally.
This is the foundation of everything we do at MP Integrative Health.
Your Practitioner
Meet Megan Pennington, BSc, CLT, CHHC
Megan Pennington is a naturopathic practitioner and integrative health specialist with over 20 years of clinical experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and Human Nutrition from McGill University and is a Certified LEAP Therapist (CLT) — one of a select group of practitioners trained in the advanced MRT/LEAP protocol for food sensitivity testing.
As the founder of MP Integrative Health and a 2025 Global Recognition Award Winner for Advancing Science-Based Natural Healing, Megan has helped hundreds of clients across the United States and Canada achieve lasting relief from chronic conditions that had not responded to conventional treatment.
Her approach combines the scientific rigor of functional medicine with the whole-person perspective of integrative health — addressing physical, nutritional, and mind-body factors that contribute to chronic disease.
Credentials & Affiliations
- BSc in Dietetics and Human Nutrition, McGill University (2008)
- Certified LEAP Therapist (CLT) — Food Sensitivity Specialist
- Certified Holistic Health Coach (CHHC)
- Naturotherapist & Naturopathic Practitioner — Association of Naturotherapists of Quebec
- Advanced Mind-Body Training — Medical Hypnosis, NLP, Somatic Therapy, Trauma Repair
- 2025 Global Recognition Award — Advancing Science-Based Natural Healing
Our Methodology
Our 4-Pillar Approach to Root Cause Healing
Our Full Spectrum Healing program addresses chronic conditions through four interconnected pillars. Each pillar supports the others — true healing requires addressing all four simultaneously, which is why our comprehensive approach consistently produces results that individual interventions alone cannot.
Advanced Functional Testing
You cannot effectively address root causes without first identifying them. We use advanced laboratory testing to uncover the specific triggers contributing to your symptoms — going far beyond standard blood panels.
Our primary tool is Mediator Release Testing (MRT) — the most accurate food sensitivity test available, with 94.5% sensitivity and 91.7% specificity. MRT measures inflammatory mediator release from white blood cells in response to 175+ foods and chemicals.
Most of our clients do NOT require further testing, however we do offer optional add-on tests when applicable:
- GI MAP Stool Testing (gut microbiome & digestive health)
- Micronutrient Testing (nutritional deficiencies)
- Heavy Metals Testing
Personalized Diet Protocols
Based on your MRT results and comprehensive health assessment, we design a personalized diet protocol tailored to your specific biochemistry, lifestyle, and health goals.
Using the LEAP Protocol — developed specifically for MRT-guided dietary intervention — we create a precise, phased eating plan that removes your specific inflammatory triggers while maximizing nutrient density and gut healing.
Clients consistently report dramatic symptom reduction within the first weeks — because we're removing the specific triggers causing their symptoms, not relying on generic guidelines.
- 50-80% symptom reduction in 2 weeks
- Food Symptom Tracking to ensure no mistakes
- Ongoing support from your practitioner
Gut Health & Physiological Healing
The gut is central to chronic disease. Research consistently shows that intestinal permeability ("leaky gut"), microbiome imbalances, and chronic inflammation are underlying factors in autoimmune disease, pain conditions, mood imbalances, and other chronic symptoms.
- Removing inflammatory food triggers (via MRT)
- Targeted nutritional support for gut healing
- Detoxification and organ repair
- Supplement guidance for your specific needs
Mind-Body Integration & Nervous System Support
Chronic disease does not exist in isolation from emotional and psychological health. Chronic stress triggers inflammatory pathways, disrupts gut function, and impairs immune regulation.
- Nervous system recalibration techniques
- Mindset and subconscious pattern recalibration
- Stress reduction and resilience strategies
- Mind-body healing tools for physical recovery
- Hypnotherapy and deep psychological healing practices
Who We Help
Chronic Conditions We Commonly Support
Our functional medicine approach is particularly effective for chronic conditions where conventional medicine has not provided lasting relief.
Digestive & Gut Conditions
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Crohn's Disease and Colitis
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Bloating, Constipation, Diarrhea
- Dysbiosis, Candida, Sibo
- Acid reflux and GERD
Autoimmune & Inflammatory
- Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Sjögren's, Graves' Disease
- Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis
- Psoriasis and Eczema
- Chronic inflammation
Chronic Pain & Fatigue
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Chronic headaches & migraines
- Joint and muscle pain
- Persistent unexplained pain
- Muscle weakness and low stamina
Skin Conditions
- Eczema and Psoriasis
- Chronic acne
- Rosacea
- Unexplained rashes & skin inflammation
Metabolic & Hormonal
- Weight management challenges
- Diabetes and blood sugar dysregulation
- Hormonal imbalances
- Adrenal stress and fatigue
Mood & Cognitive
- Anxiety & depression (inflammatory)
- Brain fog & cognitive difficulties
- Mood dysregulation
- Neurological imbalances
The Process
What to Expect: Your Healing Journey Step by Step
From initial consultation to long-term wellness — a clear, supported path to root cause healing.
Initial Consultation
A comprehensive review of your health history, current symptoms, diet, lifestyle, and health goals. All consultations are conducted virtually via secure video or phone — accessible wherever you are.
MRT Food Sensitivity Test
A testing kit is mailed directly to your home. You arrange a local blood draw (we'll guide you through this), and the sample is sent to our certified laboratory. MRT results typically return within 7–10 business days, identifying your inflammatory response to 175+ foods and chemicals.
Results Review & Protocol Design
We walk through your MRT results in detail and design your personalized LEAP Protocol — a phased dietary plan that begins with your least reactive foods and systematically expands as healing progresses.
Implementation & Support
We track your progress using our specialized tools and adjust your protocol as needed. We provide regular check-ins, email support, and access to our full healing toolkit: healing recipes, educational resources, and advanced mind-body modalities.
Expansion & Long-Term Wellness
As symptoms resolve and gut healing progresses, we systematically reintroduce foods and transition you toward a sustainable long-term plan. Our goal is lasting results — and the tools to maintain your health independently.
Why This Works
Why This Approach Works When Others Haven't
Most health interventions fail for one of three reasons:
They're Not Personalized Enough
Generic elimination diets, standard supplements, and one-size-fits-all protocols don't account for your unique biochemistry. What triggers inflammation in one person may be completely benign for another. Our MRT testing removes the guesswork by identifying YOUR unique triggers.
They Only Address One Factor
Chronic conditions are multifactorial — they develop from a combination of dietary, physiological, environmental, and psychological factors. Addressing only one factor while ignoring the others produces incomplete results. Our four-pillar approach addresses primary contributing factors simultaneously.
They Don't Provide Enough Support
Healing from chronic conditions requires sustained commitment and expert guidance. Our program includes unlimited support throughout your healing journey — because accountability and expert advice make the difference between temporary improvement and lasting transformation.
Evidence-Based
The Science Behind Our Approach
Our protocols are grounded in peer-reviewed research. Key scientific foundations include:
Food Sensitivity & Inflammation
Research published in peer-reviewed journals consistently demonstrates the role of food-induced immune responses in chronic inflammatory conditions. Personalized elimination diets based on proper testing can significantly reduce symptoms across most health categories.
Research: Diet and Inflammation: Possible Effects on Immunity, Chronic Diseases, and Life Span →
MRT Accuracy
The Mediator Release Test has been validated in clinical research demonstrating 94.5% sensitivity and 91.7% specificity in identifying food-induced mediator release — making it the most accurate food sensitivity test available. Please note that IgG and other intolerance tests do not provide the same accuracy.
Gut-Immune Connection
The gut microbiome and intestinal barrier function play central uses in immune regulation. Research demonstrates that intestinal permeability and microbiome dysbiosis are underlying factors in autoimmune disease, chronic inflammation, and a wide range of chronic conditions.
Research: Leaky gut in systemic inflammation and age-related diseases →
Mind-Body Medicine
The relationship between psychological stress, nervous system function, and physical health is extensively documented. Chronic stress activates inflammatory pathways and impairs immune regulation — making mind-body intervention an evidence-based component of chronic disease management.
Research: Inflammation - The Common Pathway of Stress-Related Diseases →
Additional references available on our Scientific Research page.
Virtual Care
Accessible Wherever You Are
All MP Integrative Health services are delivered virtually via secure video or phone consultation. MRT testing kits are mailed directly to your home, and blood draws can be arranged at a local lab near you.
This means you have access to award-winning functional medicine and integrative health care regardless of where you live — with flexible scheduling to accommodate your time zone.
We currently serve clients in Montreal, Canada and across the continental US (except New York)
Is This Right For You?
Let's Make Sure It's a Good Fit
This Approach Is For You If…
- You have a chronic condition that has not fully responded to conventional treatment
- You've been told "everything looks normal" but still feel unwell
- You suspect diet may be contributing to your symptoms but haven't identified which foods
- You're dealing with digestive issues, autoimmune conditions, chronic pain, skin problems, or persistent fatigue
- You want a science-based, personalized approach rather than a generic protocol
- You're ready to make meaningful dietary and lifestyle changes with expert guidance
- You want to address root causes and achieve lasting results, not just manage symptoms
This May Not Be For You If…
- You are looking for a magic pill
- You are not ready to make dietary changes
- You live outside of the USA or Montreal, Canada
We always recommend maintaining care with your primary physician alongside our program.
Ready to Start Your Healing Journey?
Book an Introductory Consult
Not ready to book yet? Watch our free masterclass to learn more about our approach.
▶ Watch the Free Masterclass
Questions? Contact us here.