Why Nick Cannon Embraced His Lupus Diagnosis 'Wholeheartedly'

Nick Cannon is known for his bright outlook in life and his busy schedule. But although the father of three is always on the run with different shows and businesses, he’s also dealing with lupus, an autoimmune disease that demands him to lead a healthier, less overdriven life.

Nick Cannon never stops. He’s continuously working on new projects on TV, radio, social media and even the big screen. Whether he’s in front or behind the cameras, Cannon always gives the 100%, and that hasn’t changed in the years he’s live with lupus.

THE DIAGNOSE

The 38-year-old was first diagnosed with lupus in 2012 after doctors discovered his kidneys had begun to fail with no apparent reason.

“No one understood it, I think, because of how confusing lupus is and how long it takes to diagnose someone with it,” Cannon told WebMD. “The doctors were quite nervous and scared. There was a lot of whispering going on around me. I’m like, 'Hey, I’m a full-grown man, you’ve got to talk to me about this. What’s going on?'”

According to WebMD, “systemic lupus erythematosus, better known simply as lupus, is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack healthy tissue. Normally, the immune system goes into action only against viruses, bacteria, and other health threats.”

In Cannon’s case, he has lupus nephritis, a condition that affects the kidneys, and that has also caused him to suffer from dangerous blood clots on his lungs.

TAKING THE LEAD

Before being diagnosed, Cannon knew nothing about the disease, but he decided to take the reigns of the situation and instead of cowering and hiding away from the world, he created the YouTube series “NCredible Health Hustle,” where cameras followed his journey as he learned to live with lupus.

“It actually drives me,” he said of the condition in a HuffPost Live interview. And continued:

“It was one of those things where, even when I first got sick, I told them to turn the cameras on. I wanted to document this process because I wanted to inspire others that may be dealing with this condition or a similar condition. To say, you don’t have to let it stop you.”

BECOMING AN INSPIRATION

Cannon stated he wanted to educate people and raise awareness, showing those who deal with lupus or similar autoimmune diseases that it is possible to live with the condition “as long as you live right, and as long as you have that drive.”

“I always say I’ve changed my test into a testimony,” he added.

For Cannon, lupus gave him a new purpose on earth, as he said:

“If I can be an inspiration for others with the condition or a similar condition, then I wear that with pride and embrace the duty wholeheartedly. Stepping up and being the face of lupus has actually helped me get through it.”

MAKING NECESSARY LIFE CHANGES

As for the changes he had to make in his lifestyle, Cannon mentioned that giving up fast food was one of worsts.

He had to cut processed foods high in sodium to control his high blood pressure and embraced fish over meat as his primary source of protein. He doesn’t ear pork and always has veggies and fruits at hand.

Cannon recently told GQ that he drinks two gallons of water a day, as he considers water “is the secret medicine of the earth.”

On top of that, Nick stays in form by practicing martial arts, kickboxing, and boxing, and when it comes to self-care, he meditates and does yoga. “I started a pretty constant practice in 2012, and realized that the more time I spend with myself, the more stress releases from my body,” he said.

“Until my last day, I’ll hold my head high as a lupus warrior," Cannon proudly stated.