Alec Baldwin confirms he's prediabetic

Actor radically changed his health regimen after receiving the diagnosis in May.

Mon, Jan 30 2012 at 3:42 PM

Related Topics:

Celebs, Diabetes, Obesity

Photo: INFphoto.com/Dara Kushner

Alec Baldwin's svelte new look that I wrote about last week wasn't just the result of some healthy living epiphany — turns out the guy had a serious incentive: beating diabetes.

The 53-year-old, who won his 6th SAG Award last night for Best Actor in a Television Comedy, revealed to Entertainment Tonight during the ceremony that he was diagnosed as prediabetic in May 2011. As a result, he immediately changed his diet in a bid to avoid the disease and correct his health.

"I gave up sugar," he told Access Hollywood earlier this month. "I lost 30 pounds in four months. It's amazing."

"(I do) Pilates, spin, not as much yoga as I'd like," he added. "When we're shooting ['30 Rock'] it's tough ... When we're shooting and I can't work out, I just have to eat less. So, I'm very conscious of that. But sugar was the real killer for me — that was the problem."

Diabetes has been making headlines in the news lately thanks to celebrity chef Paul Deen's not-so-surprising reveal that she had been secretly battling the disease for three years. The Food Network host, known for her high-fat Southern cooking, joins a growing list of Hollywood stars diagnosed with with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes — including Nick Jonas, Tommy Lee and Halle Berry.

The CDC estimates that around 26 million Americans have a form of the disease, primarily Type 2, while a whopping 79 million adults in the U.S. are living with prediabetes.

The most common strategy for those looking to avoid injecting themselves with insulin for the rest of their lives is to increase exercise and eat better — something these 10 celebrities did in 2011 with great success.

Want some tips for getting the proper fuel for your own body? Check out MNN's guide to five healthy options that can help make a difference.

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Comment: 1

Michelle Jan 31 2012 at 1:59 AM

He's at that age when lots of people get it. He's an angry person but that may have been part of his issue for years. Stress makes insulin resistance so much worse. He had years of anger and stress with his divorce. Sugar imbalance does make you have mood swings and the tests aren't that accurate when you fast and are calm at the doctor. it's more how you deal with stress. Lots of people with celiac and sugar issues suffer from depression from their system not working right. People are too hard on

.... More

Alec, I think. Good for him to help himself.