Marisa Arena, RD

Marisa Arena, RD is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at her clinic in Fort Myers, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is a trusted partner in preventive health, focusing on personalized long-term health plans. Her expertise lies in creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their well-being, through expert medical nutrition therapy and wellness counseling. RDNs are your primary partners in preventive care, collaboratively creating personalized long-term health plans, coordinating essential screenings, and providing expert medical nutrition therapy and wellness counseling to empower you to achieve and maintain optimal well-being.

Dr. Marisa RD serves individuals of all ages seeking proactive health management and nutritional guidance. She is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, working with patients to develop personalized strategies for optimal health outcomes. As a dietitian in Fort Myers, FL, she understands the unique needs of her community and is passionate about helping her patients achieve and maintain their best health. Please call (239) 494-8739 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Marisa RD provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Marisa RD is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Marisa RD can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Marisa RD provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Understanding GERD and its connection to diet helps you make informed food choices to prevent or manage symptoms and protect your digestive health.
• Fatigue: Understanding the nutritional roots of your fatigue empowers you to make informed dietary choices to prevent worsening symptoms and maintain optimal energy levels.
• Crohn's Disease: Nutritional therapy plays a key role in managing Crohn's disease symptoms and preventing severe complications such as malnutrition and intestinal damage.
• High Cholesterol: Don't let high cholesterol sneak up on you; regular checkups and proactive lifestyle adjustments can help prevent the development of serious cardiovascular diseases.
• Kidney Disease: Maintaining a healthy weight and blood pressure, often aided by a registered dietitian, helps lower the risk of developing chronic kidney disease.
• Anorexia: Managing anorexia through professional guidance, nutritional support, and therapy can help individuals prevent long-term damage and improve their overall health.
• Gastroenteritis: Preventing gastroenteritis starts with practicing good hygiene, like frequent handwashing, to minimize your risk of infection and avoid serious complications.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Marisa RD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Allergy and-or Sensitivity Elimination Reprogramming Technique: This program assists in identifying and eliminating foods causing allergic reactions or sensitivities, potentially reducing symptoms and improving your digestive health.
• Metabolic Rate Testing: Empower yourself with knowledge about your metabolism through testing, helping you make informed decisions to prevent metabolic disorders.
• Food Sensitivity Testing: Screen for food sensitivities that can lead to chronic health problems, enabling you to make informed dietary changes for better health outcomes.
• Medical Nutrition Therapy: Proactively improve your health and well-being with MNT; it helps you understand how food impacts your body and guides you toward a healthier lifestyle.
• Blood Pressure Management: Through a personalized nutrition plan, let's work together to identify and address dietary factors that contribute to high blood pressure.
• Body Fat Analysis: Take control of your health by getting a body fat analysis; it's a simple screening that helps assess your overall health and can detect potential problems early on.
• Point of Care A1C Testing: By getting a Point-of-Care A1C test, you can gain valuable insights into your blood sugar control, facilitating early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, thereby minimizing long-term complications.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) in Florida.

Dr. Marisa RD is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers/Support Systems to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Client's life:

• By understanding the link between diet and GERD symptoms, a patient successfully reduced their discomfort and improved their overall digestive health. This proactive approach allowed them to enjoy their meals without the worry of acid reflux.
• By understanding the nutritional factors contributing to their fatigue, a patient implemented dietary changes that significantly improved their energy levels and overall well-being. This proactive approach empowered them to prevent further fatigue and maintain a healthier lifestyle.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Registered Dietitian Nutritionist care with Dr. Marisa RD:

What is the difference between a Registered Dietitian (RD) and a nutritionist?

A Registered Dietitian (RD or RDN) is a credentialed healthcare professional with extensive education and supervised practice experience. Unlike the term "nutritionist," which is not regulated, an RD is trained to provide evidence-based, reliable nutrition advice.

What can I expect during my first visit with Dr. Marisa RD?

Your first visit with Dr. Marisa RD will be a comprehensive assessment, involving a detailed review of your health history, eating habits, lifestyle, and personal health goals. This is the first step in creating a realistic and sustainable personalized nutrition plan tailored to your unique needs.

What is Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)?

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is an evidence-based, therapeutic approach to managing medical conditions using a personalized diet plan. A registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) provides this formal process to help manage diseases like kidney disease, diabetes, and heart disease, and it's often covered by insurance.

How can you help a patient undergoing cancer treatment?

Dr. Marisa RD can help manage treatment side effects like nausea and appetite loss, prevent weight loss, and maintain strength, which can help patients better tolerate their treatments.

Do you work with patients who have eating disorders?

Yes, RDs are a critical part of the eating disorder treatment team. Dr. Marisa RD works collaboratively with therapists and doctors to help patients heal their relationship with food, establish regular eating patterns, and achieve nutritional rehabilitation in a supportive, non-judgmental way.

I want to lose weight. Can you just give me a meal plan?

While sample meal plans can be helpful, a personalized approach focusing on sustainable habit changes, portion control, and a healthy relationship with food is key to long-term weight loss success. We work with you to understand your individual needs and preferences to create a plan that fits your lifestyle. This personalized plan will equip you with the knowledge and tools to make lasting changes.

How can nutrition help lower my high cholesterol and blood pressure?

A heart-healthy diet is key to managing high cholesterol and blood pressure. Dr. Marisa RD can create a personalized plan emphasizing fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, while teaching you how to reduce sodium and unhealthy fats. This natural approach is highly effective in preventing heart attack and stroke.

I have IBS and other digestive issues. How can you help?

Dr. Marisa RD can act as a "food detective," helping identify trigger foods that may be contributing to your IBS and digestive issues. Often, strategies like a low FODMAP diet are used to pinpoint and eliminate these foods, significantly reducing symptoms like bloating, gas, and discomfort, and improving your overall quality of life.

4519 Tilton Ct
Fort Myers FL 33907
Phone: (239) 494-8739

Marisa Arena, RD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1053616524

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) like Dr. Marisa RD are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your registered dietitian nutritionist (rdn) about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.