Root Cause CSI™

High blood pressure is not just about the numbers—it may be a signal. In this deep dive episode, we explore hypertension through a functional medicine lens, while also comparing conventional and Traditional Chinese Medicine perspectives. We discuss how micronutrient imbalances—such as magnesium, potassium, and CoQ10—along with insulin resistance, chronic stress, inflammation, and medication-relate...

Insulin resistance is not just about sugar. Two people can eat the same meal-but have completely different blood sugar responses. That's not just about food. That's about body chemistry. In this episode, we break it down through three lenses: Conventional Medicine - glucose and insulin regulation Functional Medicine - root causes, inflammation, nutrients Traditional Chinese Medicine - digestion, e...

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is often described as a hormonal disorder—but is that really the root cause? In this episode of Root Cause CSI™ — Clinical. Scientific. Investigations. , Joan Lu breaks down PCOS beyond surface-level explanations and explores what is happening underneath the diagnosis. You’ll learn why many women are told they have a “hormonal problem,” but may actually be dealing...

In this episode of Root Cause CSI™ — Clinical. Scientific. Investigations., Joan Lu discusses the difference between endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer, two conditions that can sometimes appear similar but have very different implications. Joan also shares a personal experience of being told she had endometrial cancer based on an ultrasound finding, before a biopsy was even performed....

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. In this episode of Root Cause CSI™ — Clinical. Scientific. Investigations., Joan Lu explores endometriosis through three different clinical perspectives: conventional medicine, functional medicine, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Endometriosis is a condition that can affect millions of women worldwide, often presenting with symptoms such as severe me...

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is often described as a reproductive disorder — but is that the full story? In this episode of the Root Cause CSI™ Podcast, Joan Lu, PhD, RN, PHN, BC-FMP explores PCOS through three distinct medical frameworks: Conventional Medicine, Functional Medicine, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. This episode reframes PCOS as a communication issue between metabolism, stress...

Life doesn’t decline at 40. It recalibrates. In this episode of Root Cause CSI™ — Clinical Perspectives, Joan Lu, PhD, RN, PHN, BC-FMP shares what truly changes after 40 — metabolically, hormonally, emotionally, and energetically. From a conventional lens, turning 40 often comes with routine labs and symptom management. From a functional medicine lens, this is when patterns surface: • Insulin resi...

Keywords chronic illness, body signals, nutrition, parenting, health awareness, self-reflection, Root Cause CSI, healing, lifestyle habits, health foundations Summary In this episode of Root Cause CSI, Joan Lu explores the hidden causes of chronic illness, emphasizing that diseases do not appear suddenly but are the result of long-term patterns in our lifestyle and environment. She discusses the i...

Autism Through a Functional Medicine Lens A Story About the Gut, the Brain, and the Hidden Root Causes No One Talks About In this deeply moving episode of the Root Cause CSI Podcast, Joan Lu shares one of her most unforgettable cases: a 75-year-old father, his autistic son, and the generational fears families quietly carry. This episode looks at autism through a functional medicine lens. Not just...

Keywords cellular starvation, fatigue, biochemistry, hormonal imbalance, mental health Summary In this conversation, Joan Lu discusses the concept of cellular starvation, emphasizing that individuals can experience symptoms like fatigue and hormonal imbalances even when they eat regularly. She highlights the role of biochemistry in these issues, suggesting that they are not merely behavioral or pe...

Summary In the inaugural episode of Root Cause CSI, Joan Lu shares her personal journey into functional medicine, detailing her struggles with PCOS and endometriosis. She emphasizes the importance of lifestyle changes and nutrition in healing, contrasting her experiences with conventional healthcare. Joan advocates for a patient-centered approach that focuses on root causes rather than just sympto...