Nutrition Response Testing

Dr. Freddie Ulan’sNutrition Response Testing (NRT)

Ashley CowdenNYCC

March 2011

Outline:PurposePatient ExplanationDevelopmentMechanismSafety of UsePotential & Critical FailuresPatient/Client Selection CriteriaCase study, Testimonials and MarketingResearchConclusion

Purpose•“Nutrition Response Testing is a study of how the different points on the surface of the body relate to the state of health and to the flow of energy in each and every organ and function of the body” (Ulan, 2003).

•Accessing the body’s innate intelligence by interpreting neurological reflexes and acupuncture points to determine what the body needs to remove, repair, and rebuild.

•Treating the individual, not the condition.

•Address the U.S. health crisis by providing the option of health restoration, instead of only disease management.

Ulan, F. (2003). Nutrition response testing: New patient orientation [Pamphlet]. USA: Professional Enhancement Services, Inc.

Ulan nutritional systems, inc (Producer). (2006). Welcome to nutrition response testing [DVD].

NRT Patient Explanation

This method of assessment is a way to communicate directly with your body to find out where it is healthy, and where it needs support.

NRT uses muscle testing to check neurological reflex and acupuncture points on the body. Each NRT reflex point tells about the health of a particular organ, system, gland, or function. When we find an area that is weak or imbalanced, we can then interpret what it means, and what it needs to restore. This helps to develop your personalized treatment plan.

By understanding muscle testing, and using the right products you can ask the body what it wants and needs to be optimally healthy. This addresses imbalances or weaknesses, repairs any damage, and rebuilds a healthy system.


Development1990’s Dr Ulan’s serious health problems led him into

nutrition.Desired to find a way to interpret the wisdom of the body

through a scientific lens. Led to the study of muscle testing and applied kinesiology.Formation of a simplified technique.Use of high quality, whole food nutritional products that

supply genuine “replacement parts.”Products must be reliable, must work, must have

integrity of ingredients.Still factors that could prevent healing…

Discovered the importance of identifying and eliminating stressors that were blocking the body’s ability to repair.


MechanismStep 1: AnalysisThe body is mapped with neurologic reflex points that correspond to the nervous system. Each reflex point represents a different organ, system, gland or function of the body.

The patient extends one limb (usually the arm). The NRT practitioner touches the patient’s reflex point with one hand, with the other hand, they apply a slight pressure to the extended arm. If the arm goes weak with the application of pressure, this typically indicates an active reflex; reflecting a weakness to the reflex’s corresponding function. An arm held strong generally indicates appropriate function. The practitioner can also muscle test to find the ‘pulse’ of these points to evaluate the relative strength of the body part or function it represents.

The assessment continues until all of the reflex points are checked, with notation being made to which reflex points were active.


MechanismStep 2: Personalized Health Improvement Plan

Based upon results of the analysis, active reflexes are sought to be supported and corrected by whole-food nutritional formulas and/or dietary modifications.

The potential remedy is placed on the patient’s body, and the previously active reflex is re-tested. If the arm that initially went weak, now holds strong, this remedy has benefit to the body and may be useful in correcting the imbalance.

Along with nutritional supplementation, dietary and lifestyle recommendations are suggested for the individual.


MechanismNRT based upon the principles of Applied Kinesiology (AK)

Created by Dr. George J. Goodheart Jr.

AK is a system of assessment that uses manual muscle testing to determine chemical, mental and structural health (or lack thereof) .

Is used in conjunction with other forms of examination, provides the ability to localize any functional imbalances.Find a muscle that is weak or imbalanced, then in the context

of the case, determine both appropriate and individualized:DiagnosisTreatment

International College of Applied Kinesiology, ICAK. (2005). What is AK? Retrieved from http://www.icak.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18&Itemid=41

Mechanism continued…“Testing individual muscles in an accurate manner

and determining what effects the relative strength of the muscle when combined with knowledge of the basic mechanics and physiological functioning of the body helps to more accurately diagnose what is going wrong” (ICAK, 2005).

For more information:International College of Applied Kinesiology http://www.icak.com/

The Kinesiology Network http://www.kinesiology.net/

Safety“Dr. Ulan’s Nutrition Response Testing and the procedures

taught at Dr. Ulan’s Advanced Clinical Training (ACT) Workshops and Seminars, are not a substitute for standard examination and/or medical/chiropractic diagnostic procedure” (Ulan, 2006).

“Nutrition Response Testing and ACT procedures do not diagnose or treat any disease or physical illness” (Ulan, 2006).

Recommendations and information have not been approved by the FDA.

Safety is the professional’s responsibility.Must abide by appropriate licensing regulations by state.



Safety continued…When recommending nutritional supplements,

must be aware of all potential contraindications and interactions with medications.

Patients may experience short and long term alterations in need for medications. Must advise them to monitor medication needs with prescribing doctor. (For instance: blood pressure, blood sugar medications).

Must take caution not to injure patients, or aggravate injuries with muscle testing.

Potential & Critical FailuresPractitioners must be reliable testing instruments

for accurate results.Cannot be blocked or nutritionally imbalanced as this

will skew assessment results.

Have to be confident and competent in muscle testing.Incomplete muscle test, inappropriate pressure,

accuracy of test points.Patient must understand the test and get a feel for

the muscle lock.It is too “weird” for some to accept.

Practitioner interview, personal communication, February 23rd, 2011.

Patient/Client SelectionWomen age 30+ target client

Hormonal imbalances, fatigue, weight gain, stressFalling apart at a younger age due to poor nutritionThey become the advertisers, bringing in their

families, passing on the word to their friends and community.

Appropriate for all ages, males and females.Inappropriate clients may be those who are not

willing to comply with technique or recommendations.



Case StudyCase Study: 34 year old female taking several pain

medications, severe migraines, numbness and tingling in right arm, fatigue, hormonal imbalances, decreased capacity to function.Assessed using NRTNervous System blockage due to a scar & inflammation

from food intolerancesFood intolerances: wheat, sugar, dairy, corn, and soyGiven nutritional support & eating programWithin 1 month, off all pain medications, no more

migraines, restored feeling in right arm, improved energy, able to go back to work, back to exercise, “regained quality of life.”

5 years later, has continued with program, maintained weight loss and is “feeling great hormonally and overall.”


Testimonials“I had fibromyalgia for at least 10 years; I was on

Lipitor, Protonix, and Albuterol and was having a hard time losing weight. I had a lot of stomach trouble and always carried Alka-Seltzer with me. I had a poor energy level. I had pain all over, especially in my legs. I didn’t like the way I looked or felt.”

“In 6 months, I lost 46 lbs. & 12.2 % body fat. I no longer need my medications. My pain level has improved as well as my energy. I feel myself again - I feel good, look good and get a lot of compliments!”

-P.S., age 52

Testimonials “I had a continuous fluctuation between constipation and diarrhea.

I had to know where every bathroom was if I went out after eating at a restaurant. My skin was always breaking out and I had terrible mood/anger swings…I am regular now. My skin has never looked better and rarely have a flare up in temper. I haven’t felt this healthy in a long time.”- C. G., age 36

“I was tired, exhausted, really rundown, over extended & overweight. My mind was constantly in a fog. I had also spent several years refusing to give into the idea that I was depressed…Within days of making the changes recommended, the fog began to lift. Over a few short weeks I was once again excited about my daily routine and looking forward to each day. The pounds and body fat began to come off and with that came an incredible increase in my energy levels and self esteem. I’ve lost 30 pounds off my 5’2” frame.

-J. V., age 42

Practitioner ReflectionsPractitioner Interview

Practicing NRT for 9 yearsPositives about the technique:

“That it provides a way of direct communication with the body. Allowing treatment to be individualized and accurate. It connects with the body’s wisdom and eliminates the need for guess work.”

The most challenging part of the technique:“Keeping yourself an accurate assessment tool. Always

making sure that you are in balance, that you are open, not blocked or switched or just off. Always being sure that you are not imposing your expectations or assumptions upon the muscle test.”


MarketingUlan Nutritional Systems Inc.

Offer seminars/trainings, DVDS, audio recordings for:Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced NRT TechniquesPatient and Practice Management

Critique of MarketingDifficult to obtain information.When looking for information, directed to a seminar

representative.When contacting for research support, directed to look into

Applied Kinesiology. This was helpful, yet not given any information or detail specifically on NRT.

EthicsSome reviews/speculations claim that marketers promote

certain religious practices to practitioners and workshop attendees.

ResearchCurrently no published, formal research studies conducted

by outside parties. Support of NRT technique is based upon clinical results.Ideally, a research study would consider:

A Randomized Clinical Control Trial to minimize bias.Single-Blind: participants would not know which

treatment they were signing up for.Because of the technique they would realize

treatment differences.Researchers measuring outcomes would ideally

remain unaware of which treatment each group received.

Gallin, J. I., & Ognibene, F. P. (2007). Principles and practice of clinical research (2nd ed.). Amsterdam: Academic Press. (Original work published 2002).

Jekel, J. F., Katz, D. L., Elmore, J. G., & Wild, D. M. (2007). Epidemiology, biostatistics, and preventitive medicine (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders: Elsevier. (Original work published 1996).

Research continued…Potentially consider recruiting participants by holding an

informative community meeting on a popular health topic i.e. weight loss, diabetes.

Consider measuring weight reduction in overweight groups, or risk factor status in prediabetic groups. Comparing NRT with standard nutritional therapy, for instance with a Registered Dietitian.

Paired data: randomize groups, obtain baseline measurements, allow for treatment period, then measure the outcomes. Use paired t-test to determine statistical significance, looking for p 0.05 with 95% confidence interval.

Sample size large enough to allow room for dropout in both groups.

3-6 month span of study.



Research continued…Several Confounding factors: What extent of treatment would be allowed i.e.

supplementation? Because NRT is based upon customization of treatment, it is

unlikely that individuals would be assessed to require the same protocol for treatment.

How could this be standardized to traditional nutrition treatment with a Registered Dietitian?

Results may be measuring effectiveness of treatment over validity.

Technique must be implemented by a practitioner, differences likely exist between practitioners and their competence. This would significantly alter results of study.

Besides lack of funding, it is easy to understand why these tests have not been conducted.


Jekel, J. F., Katz, D. L., Elmore, J. G., & Wild, D. M. (2007). Epidemiology, biostatistics, and preventative medicine (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders: Elsevier. (Original work published 1996).

ConclusionResearch/Support is based on clinical results.Clinician must decide if they feel comfortable

enough with the basis of technique to outweigh lack of official research and FDA approval.

May be a useful way to determine best-suited treatment for patients by eliminating guess work.Provides a way to clearly identify what if there

is a problem/block to health; what support is needed, and appropriate dosage of the remedy.

Conclusions Continued…Practitioners must feel secure and confident

with technique to get accurate results.Not the right technique for everyone.Practitioners must be reliable, healthy test

instruments.Practitioners must be their best clients; healthy,

balanced, with open nervous system regulation.High importance of practitioner’s neutrality and

detachment from expectations and outcomes during assessment.Expectations can alter the testing results;

producing inaccurate evaluations.

ReferencesGallin, J. I., & Ognibene, F. P. (2007). Principles and practice of clinical

research (2nd ed.). Amsterdam: Academic Press. (Original work published 2002).


International College of Applied Kinesiology, ICAK. (2005). What is AK? Retrieved from http://www.icak.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18&Itemid=41



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