Celebrities with diabetes may not be as common as those with other chronic illnesses, but some well-known figures have lived with the disease for many years. Stars are under immense pressure, especially when maintaining perfect bodies. Unfortunately, several celebrities suffer from diabetes.
Diabetes can be dangerous and cause serious health complications if not managed properly. From Halle Berry to Nick Jonas, some celebrities have been open about their struggles with diabetes. However, this doesn’t mean these stars aren’t healthy despite their conditions.
In fact, by adhering to certain weight loss secrets, many have brought their blood glucose levels back to normal. Take action now and start your journey towards a healthier lifestyle today – you won’t regret it!
Let’s examine some of these weight loss secrets and how you can benefit from them! There is something for everyone, so don’t give up hope!
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic medical condition in which the body cannot correctly produce insulin, resulting in abnormally high blood sugar levels. Insulin is a hormone the pancreas produces that controls blood sugar levels.
People with diabetes either do not produce enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or cannot use it correctly (type 2 diabetes). Without proper management, diabetes can lead to serious health complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, and kidney failure.
There are two main types: Type 1 and Type 2.
- Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the pancreas’ insulin-producing cells. Without enough insulin, sugar can’t get into cells and builds up in the bloodstream. This type of diabetes usually develops before age 40, and symptoms occur quickly.
- Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces insufficient insulin or cannot use it appropriately. It usually develops after age 40 but is more common in children, adolescents, and adults. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include obesity, a family history of diabetes, being sedentary, advanced age, and certain ethnicities.
Symptoms of Diabetes
- Excessive thirst or increased hunger
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing sores or infections
- Fatigue and blurred vision
- Dry, itchy skin
- Unexplained weight loss
- Nausea or vomiting
- Frequent urination
Things You Need To Do When You Have Diabetes
- Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly and take any prescribed medication as directed.
- Eat a balanced diet, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains, and low-fat dairy products.
- Exercise regularly to help stabilize blood sugar levels and maintain a healthy weight.
- Avoid sugary or processed foods high in fat or carbs since they can raise blood sugar levels quickly.
- Limit alcohol intake as it can disrupt your blood sugar levels and may reduce the effectiveness of diabetes medications.
- Get seven to eight hours of sleep every night to help regulate hormones important for managing blood sugar levels.
- Avoid smoking, as it can damage your body’s insulin production, making it harder to manage diabetes properly.
Celebrities with Diabetes: How They Treat It?
Diabetes affects people of all ages and backgrounds, including some of our favorite celebrities. Whether it’s breakfast cereal spokesperson Halle Berry or pop star Nick Jonas, diabetes is a reality many celebrities face. While they may not be open about their condition, several high-profile celebrities manage type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
These are the Celebrities with Diabetes
Tom Hanks
In October 2013, the Oscar-winning actor revealed he had type 2 diabetes when late-night host David Letterman remarked on his newly trim physique. Hanks added that the condition is manageable but joked that he couldn’t return to his high-school weight of 96 pounds. “You know those high blood sugar numbers you’ve been dealing with since 36? Well, you’ve graduated. You’ve got type 2 diabetes, young man.” He has since adopted a healthy lifestyle, including eating a diet rich in plant-based proteins and cutting down on processed sugar. He also exercises regularly.
Halle Berry
At 22, the actress Berry underwent a week-long coma after falling unwell and receiving a type 1 diabetes diagnosis. Berry declared in 2007 that she had gradually weaned herself off insulin. Type 1 diabetes cannot be avoided without insulin, so doctors believe Berry has type 2 diabetes. Type 1 individuals require it to survive. Doctors may have initially ruled out type 2 since Berry is healthy and fit because this condition usually only affects overweight young people.
Nick Jonas
Hello daddy 🔥#NickJonas pic.twitter.com/uZICRy9vja
— NP LEGΛCY 🇨🇴 | Loving MMCJ ❤🍼 (@np_legacy) April 9, 2023
Jonas was 13 years old when he developed a diabetes diagnosis. In an Instagram post from 2018, including two photos of himself side-by-side, one taken immediately following his diagnosis in 2005 and the other from 2018, he wrote about his diagnosis.
“13 years ago today I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The picture on the left is of me a few weeks after my diagnosis. Barely 100 pounds after losing so much weight due to my blood sugar being so high before getting to the doctor where I discovered I was diabetic,” he wrote.
Jonas appeared in a Super Bowl advertisement in February 2023 for the Dexcom G7 glucose monitor.
Sherri Shepherd
Even after receiving a diabetes diagnosis, the actress and former co-host of The View admitted it took her some time to change her pasta-heavy diet. She eventually found oats without brown sugar and vegetables without sauce. She also stopped her eating habits of white bread and fried meals. A healthy diet and exercise helped her lose weight and feel much better.
Mary Tyler Moore
Type 1 diabetes affected the late actress. When she was hospitalized following a miscarriage at 30, doctors diagnosed her. A routine blood test at the hospital revealed a blood sugar level of 750, which is relatively high. She told Larry King in 2005, “They put me on insulin right away.” She actively promoted diabetes research and was the international chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She died on January 25, 2017.
Delta Burke
The Emmy-nominated actress publicly battled weight gain, which may have triggered her type 2 diabetes. With the help of doctors, a healthy diet, walking, and medication, she has lost weight. She told Diabetic Living, “There are so many things to watch. “Searching is tedious and takes a lot of time, but you just have to keep trying.”
Larry King
Larry King was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1995 after suffering from severe chest pain. This was attributed to high cholesterol levels due to poor diet choices. King follows a strict low-carb diet, exercises, and regularly takes oral medications to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Salma Hayek
Salma Hayek revealed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that she was recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes while pregnant with her daughter Valentina Paloma Pinault, born in 2007. She followed a healthy eating plan during her pregnancy, along with regular medical checkups by her doctor.
Billie Jean King
Tennis legend Billie Jean King was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2014 when she underwent Gastric Bypass Surgery (weight reduction surgery). “Anyone can develop diabetes, even an athlete,” she told Health.com in 2016. But, King said, her sport is one of many ways to stay ahead of the illness. “Tennis is so good for diabetes,” she said. “We’ve had several examples of professional tennis players with diabetes.
Leading by Example: How These Celebrities with Diabetes Are Changing the Narrative
Diabetes has been a growing health concern worldwide, affecting millions of people. However, it is often viewed as a limiting factor that affects one’s lifestyle and aspirations. To debunk this myth, some celebrities with diabetes have been leading by example and inspiring others through their achievements and advocacy.
These celebrities with diabetes prove that diabetes does not have to be a limiting factor in life. They have been leading by example and inspiring millions to take control of their health and manage their diabetes effectively. Their advocacy and campaigns also help change the disease narrative and encourage more research and innovation.
Celebrities with Diabetes: How They Are Raising Awareness?
Although diabetes is a severe condition, celebrities with diabetes have managed to maintain their health and even lose weight. This is done by changing their diet and lifestyle. Following their example can prevent or manage diabetes. With proper care and support, diabetes is not a problem.
People with diabetes can lead healthy, active lives by eating right, exercising regularly, and managing their condition with their doctor. Diabetes can be managed, and celebrities prove it doesn’t have to stop you from living life to the fullest.
Therefore, take the first step towards improving your health today and learn the celebrity secrets of weight loss while battling diabetes.
