Written by Adiana Castro MS, RDN, CDN, LDN, CLT
If you’re frequently dealing with loose stools, urgent bathroom trips, or unpredictable digestion, you’re not alone. Chronic diarrhea is a common concern, but its causes aren’t always straightforward. In many cases, diet plays a major role—and making a few strategic changes can significantly improve symptoms.
In this post, we explore the common causes of chronic diarrhea, how food sensitivity testing like MRT (Mediator Release Testing) can help.
🔍 What Causes Chronic Diarrhea?
There’s no single cause, but these are the most common culprits:
1. Food Sensitivities
Unlike allergies, food sensitivities are often delayed immune reactions that cause low-grade inflammation. Foods like dairy, gluten, soy, or additives may silently trigger diarrhea hours or even days after consumption. The MRT test identifies these hidden triggers by measuring inflammatory responses to 176 foods and chemicals.
2. Gut Imbalances
Imbalances in gut bacteria (called dysbiosis) can impact how your body digests food. Low levels of beneficial bacteria or an overgrowth of harmful strains can lead to poor digestion, excess gas, and diarrhea.
3. Malabsorption Conditions
Conditions like lactose intolerance, celiac disease, or fructose malabsorption mean your body struggles to process certain nutrients—causing bloating, cramping, and diarrhea when those foods are eaten.
4. Stress and Anxiety
Your gut and brain are closely connected through the gut-brain axis. Stress can trigger physical digestive symptoms, especially in individuals with IBS-D (Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Diarrhea dominant).
5. High Intake of Certain Foods
Some high-sugar foods or sugar alcohols (like sorbitol or erythritol found in "sugar-free" products) can draw water into the intestines and loosen stools.
🥗 How to Adjust Your Diet for Relief
If you're struggling with chronic diarrhea, try these tips:
Keep a food + symptom journal to notice patterns
Get tested for food sensitivities (MRT can help pinpoint triggers)
ADD BRAT foods during a flare up - Banana, Rice, Applesauce, Toast
Avoid sugar alcohols, spicy foods, and caffeine during flare-ups
Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
💡 Consider MRT Testing at Compass Nutrition
Many patients come to us after months (or years) of trial-and-error diets. The Mediator Release Test (MRT) helps identify which foods are causing inflammation and gut symptoms—even when traditional allergy or GI testing comes back normal.
With your results, our team of expert dietitians creates a custom elimination and reintroduction plan so you can feel confident in your meals again.
📞 Ready to take control of your gut health?