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root causes

Updated Jan 9, 20267 min read

The 10 Root Causes Framework

  • A Simplified Model of Human Disease

    The modern medical classification system contains 55,000+ disease codes. This complexity obscures a simpler truth: nearly all human illness traces back to approximately 10 root causes. Understanding these causes — and their simple fixes — offers a clearer path to health than memorizing thousands of disease names.

  • The 10 Root Causes

    | | # | | Cause | | % of Disease Burden (est.) | |

    | ---- |

    | | 1 | | Infection | | 15-20% | |

    | | 2 | | Metabolic Imbalance | | 20-25% | |

    | | 3 | | Immune Dysregulation | | 10-15% | |

    | | 4 | | Toxic Exposure | | 10-15% | |

    | | 5 | | Nutrient Deficiency | | 5-10% | |

    | | 6 | | Physical Trauma | | 5-10% | |

    | | 7 | | Genetic Error | | 5-8% | |

    | | 8 | | Psycho-Neuro Stress | | 15-20% | |

    | | 9 | | Sleep Disruption | | 5-10% | |

    | | 10 | | Degeneration/Aging | | 10-15% | |

    Note: These overlap significantly. Most chronic disease involves 2-4 causes interacting.

  • 1. INFECTION

    What it is: Pathogenic organisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) invading and disrupting body systems.

    What it causes downstream:

  • Acute illness (fever, inflammation, tissue damage)

  • Chronic inflammation

  • Organ damage

  • Cancer (~15-20% of cancers are infection-driven: HPV, Hepatitis B/C, H. pylori, EBV)

  • Autoimmune triggering (molecular mimicry)

    Simple fixes:

  • Hygiene: handwashing, food safety, water quality

  • Vaccination for major pathogens

  • Avoid unnecessary antibiotic use (preserves microbiome)

  • Support microbiome diversity (fermented foods, fiber)

  • Early treatment when symptomatic

  • Vector control (mosquito nets, tick checks)

  • 2. METABOLIC IMBALANCE

    What it is: Dysregulation of energy processing — blood sugar, insulin, lipids, hormones out of optimal range.

    What it causes downstream:

  • Vascular damage (atherosclerosis, hypertension)

  • Organ failure (heart, kidney, liver)

  • Neuropathy

  • Uncontrolled cell growth

  • Chronic inflammation

  • Hormonal cascades (thyroid, reproductive, adrenal)

    Simple fixes:

  • Reduce refined carbohydrates and sugar

  • Time-restricted eating / fasting periods

  • Regular movement (glucose disposal)

  • Maintain healthy body composition

  • Avoid chronic caloric excess

  • Monitor: fasting glucose, HbA1c, triglycerides, insulin

  • 3. IMMUNE DYSREGULATION

    What it is: Immune system either overactive (attacks self/harmless substances) or underactive (fails to eliminate threats).

    What it causes downstream:

  • Autoimmune diseases (100+ types)

  • Allergies and hypersensitivities

  • Chronic inflammation

  • Cancer (immune surveillance failure)

  • Increased infection susceptibility

  • Tissue destruction

    Simple fixes:

  • Reduce chronic inflammation triggers (processed food, excess omega-6)

  • Support gut health (70% of immune system is gut-associated)

  • Adequate vitamin D (immune modulation)

  • Manage stress (cortisol suppresses immunity)

  • Avoid unnecessary immune challenges

  • Sleep (immune system repairs during sleep)

  • Identify and remove personal triggers (food sensitivities, environmental)

  • 4. TOXIC EXPOSURE

    What it is: Accumulation of harmful substances that damage cells, disrupt signaling, or cause mutations.

    What it causes downstream:

  • DNA damage → cancer

  • Organ damage (liver, kidney, brain, lung)

  • Hormonal disruption (endocrine disruptors)

  • Neurodegeneration

  • Immune dysfunction

  • Metabolic disruption

    Common toxins:

  • Alcohol, tobacco, drugs

  • Heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic)

  • Pesticides, herbicides

  • Air pollution (PM2.5, ozone)

  • Industrial chemicals (solvents, plasticizers)

  • Mycotoxins (mold)

  • Excessive medications

    Simple fixes:

  • Eliminate or minimize alcohol and tobacco

  • Filter drinking water

  • Choose organic for high-pesticide foods

  • Ventilate living spaces, use air filtration

  • Avoid plastic food containers (especially heated)

  • Support detoxification: liver health, sweating, adequate hydration

  • Minimize unnecessary medications

  • Test home for mold, lead, radon

  • 5. NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY

    What it is: Insufficient essential compounds for normal cellular function — vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids.

    What it causes downstream:

  • Impaired energy production

  • Weakened immunity

  • Poor tissue repair

  • Neurological dysfunction

  • Bone loss

  • Anemia

  • Developmental problems

  • Increased vulnerability to all other causes

    Most common deficiencies globally:

  • Iron (anemia, fatigue)

  • Vitamin D (immune, bone, mood)

  • B12 (nerve function, energy)

  • Magnesium (300+ enzyme reactions)

  • Omega-3 fatty acids (inflammation, brain)

  • Iodine (thyroid)

  • Zinc (immune, wound healing)

    Simple fixes:

  • Eat whole foods, diverse colors

  • Prioritize nutrient density over calories

  • Consider testing for common deficiencies

  • Targeted supplementation where needed (D, B12, Mg, omega-3)

  • Address absorption issues (gut health)

  • Reduce nutrient-depleting substances (alcohol, sugar, certain medications)

  • 6. PHYSICAL TRAUMA

    What it is: Mechanical damage to tissues — injury, accidents, repetitive strain, surgical damage.

    What it causes downstream:

  • Acute tissue damage

  • Chronic pain syndromes

  • Scar tissue and adhesions

  • Joint degeneration

  • Nerve damage

  • Disability

  • Secondary psychological effects

    Simple fixes:

  • Prevention: safety equipment, ergonomics, fall prevention

  • Proper movement mechanics (lifting, posture)

  • Adequate recovery time after injury

  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation

  • Avoid repetitive strain patterns

  • Maintain strength and flexibility (injury resistance)

  • Address injuries early (prevent chronic patterns)

  • 7. GENETIC ERROR

    What it is: Inherited or spontaneous mutations that disrupt normal cellular function.

    What it causes downstream:

  • Single-gene disorders (cystic fibrosis, sickle cell, etc.)

  • Increased disease susceptibility

  • Metabolic disorders

  • Cancer predisposition

  • Developmental abnormalities

  • Premature aging syndromes

    Reality check: Only ~5-8% of disease is purely genetic. Most “genetic risk” requires environmental triggers.

    Simple fixes:

  • Know your family history

  • Genetic testing for high-risk conditions

  • Epigenetic optimization (lifestyle modifies gene expression)

  • Avoid triggers for genetic predispositions (e.g., smoking with lung cancer genes)

  • Early screening for familial conditions

  • Accept what cannot be changed; control what can be

  • 8. PSYCHO-NEURO STRESS

    What it is: Chronic activation of stress pathways — psychological trauma, anxiety, depression, unresolved emotional patterns.

    What it causes downstream:

  • Elevated cortisol → immune suppression, metabolic disruption

  • Chronic inflammation

  • Cardiovascular disease

  • Gut dysfunction (gut-brain axis)

  • Accelerated aging

  • Sleep disruption

  • Behavioral cascades (poor eating, substance use, isolation)

  • Pain amplification

    Simple fixes:

  • Daily stress discharge: movement, breathwork, nature

  • Address unresolved trauma (therapy, EMDR, somatic work)

  • Social connection (isolation is a major risk factor)

  • Purpose and meaning

  • Reduce unnecessary stressors

  • Nervous system regulation practices (meditation, cold exposure, breathing)

  • Boundaries with chronic stress sources

  • Professional support when needed

  • 9. SLEEP DISRUPTION

    What it is: Insufficient or poor-quality sleep disrupting repair, consolidation, and regulation processes.

    What it causes downstream:

  • Immune suppression

  • Metabolic dysfunction (insulin resistance after one bad night)

  • Cognitive impairment

  • Cardiovascular stress

  • Accelerated aging

  • Mood disorders

  • Increased accident risk

  • Impaired memory consolidation

  • Reduced cellular repair (including cancer surveillance)

    Simple fixes:

  • Consistent sleep/wake times (circadian rhythm)

  • 7-9 hours for most adults

  • Dark, cool, quiet sleep environment

  • Morning light exposure

  • No screens 1-2 hours before bed

  • Limit caffeine (none after noon for many)

  • Limit alcohol (disrupts sleep architecture)

  • Address sleep apnea if present

  • Wind-down routine

  • 10. DEGENERATION / AGING

    What it is: Accumulated cellular damage, telomere shortening, stem cell exhaustion, loss of repair capacity.

    What it causes downstream:

  • Tissue weakness and failure

  • Reduced regeneration

  • Sarcopenia (muscle loss)

  • Cognitive decline

  • Sensory loss

  • Increased vulnerability to all other causes

    Simple fixes (slow the rate):

  • Address all other 9 causes (aging accelerates when they’re present)

  • Regular movement (maintains muscle, bone, cardiovascular function)

  • Caloric moderation / fasting (activates repair pathways)

  • Antioxidant-rich whole foods

  • Maintain social engagement and purpose

  • Continuous learning (cognitive reserve)

  • Hormone optimization when appropriate

  • Avoid accelerants: smoking, excess alcohol, chronic stress, sedentary lifestyle

  • THE INTERACTION MODEL

    These causes rarely act alone. Most chronic disease involves multiple interacting causes:

    Example: Type 2 Diabetes

  • Metabolic imbalance (primary)

  • Nutrient deficiency (magnesium, chromium)

  • Psycho-neuro stress (cortisol → blood sugar)

  • Sleep disruption (insulin resistance)

  • Toxic exposure (certain pollutants)

  • Genetic susceptibility (modifier)

    Example: Heart Disease

  • Metabolic imbalance (lipids, glucose)

  • Immune dysregulation (inflammation)

  • Psycho-neuro stress (cortisol, blood pressure)

  • Toxic exposure (smoking, pollution)

  • Nutrient deficiency (omega-3, magnesium)

  • Sleep disruption

    Example: Cancer

  • Toxic exposure (carcinogens, radiation)

  • Infection (viral oncogenesis)

  • Immune dysregulation (surveillance failure)

  • Metabolic imbalance (growth signaling)

  • Genetic error (mutations)

  • Chronic inflammation (tissue damage)

  • THE SIMPLE PROTOCOL

    If addressing all 10 feels overwhelming, these 5 interventions impact multiple causes simultaneously:

  • Move daily → metabolic, immune, psycho-neuro, sleep, degeneration

  • Eat whole foods → metabolic, nutrient, immune, toxic

  • Sleep 7-9 hours → immune, metabolic, psycho-neuro, degeneration

  • Manage stress → psycho-neuro, immune, metabolic, sleep

  • Avoid toxins (alcohol, tobacco, processed food, pollution) → toxic, metabolic, immune

    These five actions address 80%+ of modifiable disease risk.

  • CONCLUSION

    Modern medicine has created 55,000+ disease codes, but nearly all trace back to 10 root causes. Rather than treating downstream symptoms with 10,000+ pharmaceutical interventions, addressing root causes prevents the cascade before it starts.

    The human body has remarkable repair capacity when causes of damage are removed. Most chronic disease is not inevitable — it’s the predictable result of cause accumulation over time.

    The framework:

  • 10 causes

  • 15 core symptoms

  • 10 body systems

    = ~1,500 meaningful combinations instead of 55,000 arbitrary disease names.

    Simple. Actionable. Effective.

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