Bay Area Functional & Integrative Health
Holistic Care
Personalized
Many people are told their labs are “normal”—but they still don’t feel well. This is where we start.
Our approach to holistic care focuses on understanding why symptoms are happening, not just managing them. We look at the full picture—labs, medications, nutrition, and lifestyle—to identify patterns that may be overlooked in traditional care. We connect the dots between what you’re experiencing and what may be happening beneath the surface—such as micronutrient deficiencies, medication effects, or metabolic imbalances.
The goal is simple: help you better understand your body, restore balance, and support long-term wellness through informed, personalized care.
Culinary Medicine using Food as Medicine
"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
-Hippocrates
The saying “food is medicine” is truer than ever. What we eat or don’t eat affects body weight, nutrient absorption, blood sugar, cholesterol, energy levels, and risk for heart disease and other chronic diseases.
Medication Management
Foods, Drugs, and Supplements Interactions Review
Medicines and supplements are meant to help, not harm. But sometimes taking too many can be dangerous, especially for older adults. Inappropriate polypharmacy, the use of excessive or unnecessary medications from
5 - 30 prescribed medications increase the risk of adverse drug effects and drug interactions. We help to identify side effects or adverse reactions a patient experiences, educate the patient, create plans and collaborate with their healthcare providers to help ensure older adults take only those they need to help them live better quality of life.
Afraid of Aging?
Longevity isn’t just about living longer, it’s about living better. At Bay Area Functional & Integrative Health, we don't diagnose or treat, we help you live a better quality of life, no matter your age.
How Integrative Health Practitioners Can Help You
At the intersection of clinical training and whole-person care, we take a step back to look at the bigger picture. Many people today are managing multiple symptoms, medications, and health concerns—but still don’t feel their best. Our role is to help you understand what may be contributing to how you feel, and to support you in navigating your health with clarity and confidence.
1.
Multicomplexity
It describes the whole person, living with multiple chronic conditions, advanced illness, and/or with complicated biopsychosocial needs.
2.
Mind & Mental Clarity
Changes in mood, memory, focus, or energy can be influenced by many factors—including nutrition, medications, and stress.
3.
Strength & Mobility
Feeling weaker, more fatigued, or less stable can impact your independence and quality of life.
We look at what may be contributing beneath the surface.
4.
Medications & Nutrient Balance
Many individuals are taking multiple medications—and sometimes, more medications don’t always mean better outcomes.
Certain medications can affect nutrient levels and how the body functions over time.
We help you understand these connections so you can have more informed conversations with your healthcare providers.
5.
What Matters To You
Your health goals matter.
Whether it’s having more energy, staying independent, or feeling like yourself again—we align care with what is meaningful to you.
Heal Thy Foods™
Nutraceuticals
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Supplements I developed for
myself & my family.
Food as Medicine Recipes
COMING SOON!
About Us
About Joan Lu, PhD, RN, PHN, BC-FMP
Joan Lu is the founder of Bay Area Functional & Integrative Health, a nurse-led practice focused on helping individuals understand their health beyond “normal labs.”
She is a Registered Nurse in California, with additional licensure in Canada and the Philippines, and holds a PhD in Natural Medicine. She is also a Board-Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, with a clinical focus on chronic conditions, metabolic health, and medication–nutrient interactions.
Her work centers on patient education, advocacy, and connecting the dots between symptoms, labs, medications, and nutrition—especially for individuals who feel unheard or unresolved within the traditional healthcare system.
A Personal Journey That Shapes Her Work
Before becoming a practitioner, Joan was once a patient. She was told she would never get pregnant, had PCOS and endometriosis, and was given multiple serious diagnoses—including one that suggested cancer. But through lifestyle changes, nutrition, and persistence, her story unfolded differently. Today, she is a mother—and her experience continues to shape how she approaches care: with curiosity, compassion, and a deep respect for each individual’s journey.
Her Approach
Joan provides personalized, holistic support with a strong emphasis on food as medicine, functional lab interpretation, and medication awareness. She integrates clinical nursing experience with functional medicine and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine, with a focus on Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Her goal is not to replace your healthcare team—but to advocate for you to better understand your body, ask informed questions, to take a more active role in your health while navigating the complex U.S. healthcare system.