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 regulation, and reproductive signaling — not a personal failure.

Educational purposes only. This podcast does not diagnose or treat medical conditions.

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 resistance
• Hormonal shifts
• Micronutrient depletion
• Chronic stress load

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, this is when Kidney Qi, Jing, and Blood require deeper nourishment.

If you are navigating your 40s (or approaching them), this episode is for you.

🌿 Learn more: www.joanlu.com
🎙 Root Cause CSI™ — Clinical. Scientific. Investigations.

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 importance of understanding our body's signals and the role of nutrition in health, particularly in parenting. Joan encourages listeners to reflect on their habits and recognize that awareness is the first step towards meaningful change.

Takeaways

A disease doesn't suddenly start one day.

The body compensates for a long time before showing symptoms.

Aging is not the culprit of chronic illnesses.

Our environment shapes our health long before willpower does.

Eating should not be based on convenience.

Health is about frequency, not deprivation.

Intentional nutrition lays a foundation for health.

Awareness, not urgency, is where change starts.

Your body adapts and recalibrates like a GPS.

Every symptom has a story and every story has a root cause.

Titles

Uncovering Hidden Causes of Chronic Illness

The Body's Signals: Understanding Health Patterns

Sound bites

"Aging is not the culprit."

"Our environment shapes our health."

"Think of your body like GPS."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Root Cause Healing

02:58 Understanding Chronic Illness and Body Signals

05:36 Parenting and Nutrition: Building Healthy Foundations

06:50 Awareness and Self-Reflection for Change

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 behaviors.

Not just labels.

But the biology underneath:

• Gut health

• Micronutrient deficiencies

• Mitochondrial dysfunction

• Inflammation

• Detoxification challenges

• Environmental sensitivities

You will hear:

• A mother who sensed something deeper was happening with her child

• A father begging for help as his memory declines

• A son afraid of what life will look like without his father

• How anxiety and sensory overwhelm are connected to the body

• The six major biological patterns often seen in autism

• The child’s transformation through functional medicine support

• The emotional moment when both father and son embraced Joan

• How healing restored calm, confidence, and resilience

This episode offers clarity, compassion, and a new understanding of how autism affects not only the child, but the entire family.

If you are a parent, caregiver, educator, or clinician, this conversation will shift the way you see autism and the path forward.

⸻

Begin your child’s healing journey here:

JoanLu.com

(Comprehensive autism functional medicine program)

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 personality-related.

Takeaways

Cellular starvation can occur even with daily eating.

Symptoms of cellular starvation include fatigue and irritability.

Biochemistry plays a crucial role in mental health.

Hormonal imbalances can stem from cellular starvation.

Low libido and brain fog are signs of underlying issues.

Inflammation may be linked to biochemistry imbalances.

Understanding your body’s needs is essential for well-being.

Fatigue is not just laziness; it has biochemical roots.

Addressing biochemistry can improve overall health.

Awareness of these issues can lead to better health choices.

Sound bites

"It is cellular starvation even if you eat every day"

"It is usually because of your own biochemistry."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Micronutrient Deficiency

00:23 Understanding the Impact of Nutrient Deficiency

00:33 The Limitations of Traditional Lab Tests

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 symptoms, aiming to empower listeners to take control of their health.

Keywords

functional medicine, integrative medicine, health, nutrition, lifestyle changes, healing, PCOS, endometriosis, patient stories, root cause

Takeaways

Healing starts with investigation.

Joan's journey into integrative medicine was personal.

Conventional medicine often overlooks the role of nutrition.

Lifestyle changes can lead to significant health improvements.

The healthcare system is often reactive rather than preventive.

Patients often feel disempowered by traditional healthcare.

Functional medicine provides tools that conventional medicine not focusing.

Listening to patients is crucial for effective healing.

Education and empowerment are key in health management.

Every symptom has a story that needs to be understood.

Sound Bites

"You will never get pregnant."

"I was told I had endometrial cancer."

"The power of our body can heal on its own."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Root Cause CSI

00:26 Joan's Personal Journey into Functional Medicine

03:05 The Turning Point: Lifestyle Changes and Healing

05:27 Frustration with Conventional Healthcare

06:16 The Shift to Integrative Medicine