National Diabetes Month Spotlight

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A Simpler Way to Understand Type 2 Diabetes — And a Practical First Step

Most cases may be a “fuel overflow” problem. The fix starts with food, not more insulin.

Washington, D.C. — November 2025 (National Diabetes Month) — As the nation reflects on the rising toll of Type 2 diabetes, one physician–researcher is calling for a simpler, more hopeful way to understand—and prevent—it.

According to John Poothullil, MD, FRCP, the key insight is this:

“For most adults, Type 2 diabetes isn’t about broken cells or insulin resistance. It’s a fuel overflow problem.”

When we eat more fuel than our bodies can store, fat depots fill up. The overflow spills into the bloodstream, forcing muscles to burn fat first and leaving sugar unused. Meanwhile, the liver continues to release glucose—keeping blood sugar high.

Translation: many cases of Type 2 diabetes can improve when people reduce fast-burning carbs and shrink liver and belly fat through better eating habits.

The Big Idea in 30 Seconds

Too much fuel in → fat stores fill up.
Spillover → extra fat circulates in the blood.
Fuel switch → muscles burn fat first, leaving sugar stranded.
Liver adds fuel to the fire → keeps releasing sugar.
Result → high blood sugar.

“When fat storage is maxed out, the body flips to fat-burn mode,” says Dr. Poothullil.
“That’s what keeps sugar stuck in the bloodstream—but the good news is, it can often be reversed by changing what and how much we eat.”

Why This Matters

Over 38 million Americans live with diabetes, and costs keep climbing.
A diet-first approach can improve blood sugar in weeks, reduce medication needs, and lower long-term complications.
This isn’t “anti-insulin.” Insulin is essential in many cases—but food is the safer, simpler first step when possible.

What’s Different About This Approach

Most people hear that Type 2 diabetes comes from “cells ignoring insulin.”
Dr. Poothullil’s research reframes it: the problem begins earlier—with excess fuel and limited storage capacity.

When cells are full, they switch to fat as energy. Sugar and insulin then linger unused in the bloodstream. This theory aligns with what clinicians often observe: when patients cut refined starches and sugars, liver fat decreases, blood sugar normalizes, and medications can often be reduced—with medical guidance.

What This Means for Families

Start with food.

Fewer refined carbs (white bread, sweets, sugary drinks)
More whole foods, fiber, and plant-based meals
Watch portion sizes

Move most days.
Even short walks help muscles burn fuel efficiently.

Work with your doctor.
Never change medications on your own—improvements should be supervised.

For Policymakers and Health Leaders

To turn the tide on diabetes, Dr. Poothullil calls for programs that make “diet-first” care accessible and affordable:

Cover visits with registered dietitians and medically tailored groceries.
Track remission and medication reduction as success measures.
Pilot a 12-week diet-first program across Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA—and publish the outcomes.

“We can keep treating the smoke, or we can turn down the fire,” Dr. Poothullil says. “Helping people change what they eat—backed by simple support—can improve blood sugar fast and save money. It’s practical, humane, and overdue.”

The author of the award-winning book, Diabetes: The Real Cause and the Right Cure, and Nationally Syndicated Columnist, Dr. John Poothullil, advocates for patients struggling with the effects of adverse lifestyle conditions.

Dr. John’s books, available on Amazon, have educated and inspired readers to take charge of their health. You can take many steps to make changes in your health, but Dr. John also empowers us to demand certain changes in our healthcare system. His latest book, Beat Unwanted Weight Gain, reveals the seven most essential strategies for shedding pounds—and keeping them off for good.

Follow or contact Dr. John at drjohnonhealth.com.

John Poothullil practiced medicine as a pediatrician and allergist for more than 30 years, with 27 of those years in the state of Texas. He received his medical degree from the University of Kerala, India in 1968, after which he did two years of medical residency in Washington, DC and Phoenix, AZ and two years of fellowship, one in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the other in Ontario, Canada. He began his practice in 1974 and retired in 2008. He holds certifications from the American Board of Pediatrics, The American Board of Allergy & Immunology, and the Canadian Board of Pediatrics.During his medical practice, John became interested in understanding the causes of and interconnections between hunger, satiation, and weight gain. His interest turned into a passion and a multi-decade personal study and research project that led him to read many medical journal articles, medical textbooks, and other scholarly works in biology, biochemistry, physiology, endocrinology, and cellular metabolic functions. This eventually guided Dr. Poothullil to investigate the theory of insulin resistance as it relates to diabetes. Recognizing that this theory was illogical, he spent a few years rethinking the biology behind high blood sugar and finally developed the fatty acid burn switch as the real cause of diabetes.Dr. Poothullil has written articles on hunger and satiation, weight loss, diabetes, and the senses of taste and smell. His articles have been published in medical journals such as Physiology and Behavior, Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, Journal of Women’s Health, Journal of Applied Research, Nutrition, and Nutritional Neuroscience. His work has been quoted in Woman’s Day, Fitness, Red Book and Woman’s World.Dr. Poothullil resides in Portland, OR and is available for phone and live interviews.To learn more buy the books at: amazon.com/author/drjohnpoothullil

Visit drjohnonhealth.com to learn more. You can also contact him at john@drhohnonhealth.com.

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