For Clinicians

The Role of the Registered Dietitian in Patient Care

Nutrition plays a critical role in the prevention and management of chronic disease, yet it is often underutilized in clinical care.

As an Integrative Registered Dietitian specializing in women’s health and chronic illness, I provide evidence-based medical nutrition therapy (MNT) that complements and reinforces the treatment plans established within your practice.

My goal is to support both patients and providers through collaborative care that improves outcomes, enhances patient satisfaction, and reduces the overall burden of disease.

Why Refer to a Dietitian?

  • Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) delivered by a Registered Dietitian has been shown to significantly improve outcomes across a wide range of chronic conditions. Evidence demonstrates reductions in A1C, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, and inflammatory markers with targeted nutrition interventions. Personalized dietary guidance helps patients better manage conditions such as PCOS, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, thyroid disorders, and autoimmune conditions- often reducing the need for medication adjustments and improving overall quality of life. (1)

  • Nutrition plays a key role in how medications are absorbed, metabolized, and tolerated. Through individualized meal planning and supplement assessment, dietitians help optimize medication effectiveness while minimizing side effects. Adjusting macronutrient composition, timing of meals, and nutrient intake can enhance pharmacologic outcomes- especially in patients managing insulin resistance, thyroid dysfunction, gastrointestinal disorders, and lipid abnormalities. (2)

  • Patients who work with a dietitian often show higher adherence to treatment plans and greater long-term success. Nutrition counseling provides ongoing education, accountability, and motivation that translate medical recommendations into actionable, sustainable steps. This collaborative approach empowers patients to take ownership of their health, leading to improved satisfaction, better communication, and stronger therapeutic relationships across the care team. (3)

  • Evidence-based nutrition care is one of the most effective tools for preventing chronic disease progression. Early intervention through dietary modification can delay or prevent the onset of conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. By addressing modifiable lifestyle factors-including diet quality, inflammation, and nutrient status; Registered Dietitians help reduce long-term healthcare costs and improve population health outcomes. (4)

How to Refer

Referrals can be made directly through our secure online form or by emailing emilycafarellaRD@gmail.com

Please include the patient’s name, diagnosis, relevant lab work, and any current medications or treatment plans.


Once received, we will contact the patient within 48 hours to schedule their initial session.

Follow-up notes and progress summaries can be shared with your office upon request to support continuity of care.

Evidence Supporting Nutrition Care

Diabetes and Pre-diabetes
Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) has consistently been shown to improve glycemic control, body weight, and overall metabolic outcomes. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that nutrition therapy significantly reduces HbA1c, fasting glucose, weight, and BMI in individuals with diabetes. Read the study →
Additional research demonstrates that dietitian-led MNT for adults with pre-diabetes improves blood pressure, lipid profiles, and glycemic markers, supporting early nutrition intervention. Read the study →

Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health
Evidence shows that MNT reduces blood pressure, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and waist circumference in patients with metabolic conditions. A review highlighted that individualized nutrition counseling can result in meaningful improvements in cardiovascular risk factors and weight management outcomes. Read the study →

Gastrointestinal and Autoimmune Disorders
Emerging evidence underscores the relationship between nutrition, inflammation, and immune regulation. A review published in Nutrients discusses how specific dietary patterns and nutrient intake influence autoimmune disease activity and overall immune health. Read the study →
Similarly, research in Advances in Rheumatology outlines the impact of anti-inflammatory dietary patterns on autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic diseases, highlighting the therapeutic potential of nutrition in modulating immune function. Read the study →

Women’s Health
Nutrition interventions play a key role in managing hormonal and reproductive health concerns such as PCOS, endometriosis, and thyroid dysfunction. A randomized controlled trial found that lifestyle and nutrition interventions significantly improved insulin resistance, BMI, and menstrual regularity in women with PCOS. Read the study →
Additionally, research links higher intake of fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids with reduced endometriosis risk and symptom severity. Read the study →

GLP-1 Medications and Nutrition
Optimizing nutrition while using GLP-1 receptor agonists enhances both efficacy and patient outcomes. A 2024 qualitative study highlighted that patients using GLP-1 medications experience better adherence and long-term success when supported by dietitians providing tailored nutrition guidance. Read the study →
Furthermore, research indicates that combining GLP-1 therapy with lifestyle and dietary modification results in greater improvements in weight, waist circumference, and cardiometabolic biomarkers than medication alone. Read the study →

References:

1- Franz, M. J., MacLeod, J., Evert, A., Brown, C., Gradwell, E., Handu, D., Reppert, A., & Robinson, M. (2017). Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition Practice Guideline for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes in Adults: Systematic Review of Evidence for Medical Nutrition Therapy Effectiveness and Recommendations for Integration into the Nutrition Care Process. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 117(10), 1659–1679. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2017.03.022

2- Despain, D., & Hoffman, B. L. (2024). Optimizing nutrition, diet, and lifestyle communication in GLP-1 medication therapy for weight management: A qualitative research study with registered dietitians. Obesity pillars, 12, 100143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100143

3- Dobrow, L., Estrada, I., Burkholder-Cooley, N., & Miklavcic, J. (2022). Potential Effectiveness of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in Healthy Behavior Interventions for Managing Type 2 Diabetes in Older Adults: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in nutrition, 8, 737410. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.737410

4- Slawson, D. L., Fitzgerald, N., & Morgan, K. T. (2013). Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: the role of nutrition in health promotion and chronic disease prevention. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 113(7), 972–979. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2013.05.00