Sugar is not the villain for diabetes? Gastro doctor, Dr Pal shares real cause of diabetes and what trigge

We’ve all been told to stay away from sugar to keep diabetes at bay, but what if the real culprit lies elsewhere? Gastro doctor Dr Pal, known for his simple yet science-backed health advice on Instagram, recently shared that sugar might just be a symptom — not the actual cause — of diabetes. In his post, he broke down the truth about insulin resistance, the body’s hidden imbalance that silently fuels the condition.According to Dr Pal, most people mistakenly blame sweets for diabetes, but the real issue is insulin resistance — a condition where the body stops responding to insulin, the hormone responsible for moving glucose into cells. When this happens, blood sugar stays high, fat starts accumulating (especially around the belly), energy levels dip, and inflammation shoots up. It’s not just a sugar problem, he explained, but a full-body imbalance.

What triggers insulin resistance?

Dr Pal pointed out that insulin resistance is often triggered by poor sleep, lack of physical activity, chronic stress, and a diet heavy in processed foods. He called it a lifestyle disease — and the good news, he said, is that it’s completely reversible. By focusing on the basics like eating clean, sleeping well, staying active, and managing stress, your body can begin to heal naturally and restore balance.

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A post shared by Dr. Pal’s NewME (@dr.pals_newme)

Another overlooked sign, Dr Pal added, is slow wound healing or recurring skin issues like dark patches on the neck or underarms. These, too, point toward early insulin resistance. He cautioned that people shouldn’t wait for their HbA1c levels to rise before acting. The body often starts sending warning signals long before blood test numbers go up — and recognising them early can make all the difference.