raising the standard of care
"No Disease that can be treated by diet should be treated with any other means."
-Maimonides
Ethos Primary Care
Frequently Asked Questions
Does your plant-based whole foods program cure chronic illness?
It depends on the specific illness and the individual person, however there are many illnesses commonly thought to be incurable which are in fact reversible with a plant-based whole foods lifestyle.
Do I have to become a vegan or vegetarian to join your program/practice?
No. We like describing our way of eating and lifestyle as "plant-based whole foods" because it is intentionally vague! We feel this description is not so much a label as an indicator that a person derives the majority of their calories from unrefined plant foods. If a person eating a standard American diet (SAD) joins our program and we can get them to improve their diet by say, 50%, by incorporating unrefined plant foods, this person will see significant benefits from making a 50% change. However the more unrefined plant foods you eat, the healthier you will become.
I'm taking prescription medicines. What happens to the medicines when I begin your nutritional program?
All medicines determined to be noncritical are discontinued immediately under Dr Weiss' medical supervision. Additional medicines may be stopped by Dr Weiss as you continue a plant-based whole foods lifestyle.
I want to keep my primary doctor. Can I still come to you?
Absolutely. Dr Weiss can function as your primary doctor or as a nutritional consultant to your primary doctor or specialists.
I really need to lose weight and would like to join your program to change my diet but my husband and kids are not at all interested in changing what they eat. What should I do?
Our A Year of Mindful Living program is specifically designed to address issues like this. It is quite common for a person making a plant-based whole foods transformation to be living with family members and socializing with friends who do not share the same desire to change their diets. We show you how to make this process easier and teach you how to be a model for your family and friends.
I'm already eating a healthy diet; Could I still benefit from your program?
We would suggest that you submit to us a detailed 7 day dietary log. We will review it, have a discussion with you and advise you further.
I'm not interested in A Year of Mindful Living program but I do want to become a primary care patient of Dr Weiss. Is this possible?
We do not recommend this. Dr Weiss' clinical focus is on a plant-based whole foods lifestyle to prevent and treat illness. Without a strong plant-based whole foods background, the effectiveness of medical office visits will be limited.
If I join A Year of Mindful Living program and miss some classes, can I make them up?
Yes, you can, but we reserve the right to put limits on this policy.
My Father had a coronary bypass and colon cancer in his seventies and my Mother has Alzheimer's disease and can barely walk due to knee pains. Can I prevent problems like this with your program?
Very much so. The chronic diseases of aging - cardiovascular disease, the vast majority of cancers, arthritis, dementia and frailty of old age - are very preventable with a plant-based whole foods lifestyle.
Does Dr Weiss believe in vaccinations?
Dr Weiss believes that in general, vaccines are an important tool in the prevention of serious illnesses. He follows the guidelines of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.