In a candid revelation on The Late Show with David Letterman in 2013, Hollywood legend Tom Hanks opened up about his type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Since then, the acclaimed actor known for his roles in Forrest Gump and Toy Story, says he took control of his health by incorporating regular exercise, shedding pounds, and revamping his diet. Hanks admitted that he had been battling high blood sugar levels since the age of 36. Recalling a conversation he had with his doctor on the show, Hanks said: "You know those high blood sugar numbers you've been dealing with since you were 36, well you've graduated. You've got type 2 diabetes, young man.".
Hanks responded: "Well, I'm going to have type 2 diabetes then because there is no way I can weigh [what I did] in high school." Hanks also reflected on the impact of fluctuating weight for film roles on his health, noting how he piled on nearly two stone for 'A League of Their Own' by overindulging and avoiding exercise. However, he remained optimistic, as his doctor suggested that reaching a target weight could potentially reverse the diabetes. "My doctor says if I can hit a target weight, I will not have type 2 diabetes anymore," Hanks said.
Type 2 diabetes has become an alarmingly common condition in recent years, marked by high blood sugar levels, reports Surrey Live. Symptoms include unquenchable thirst, often running to the loo, feeling tired, unexpected weight loss, genital itching or bouts of thrush, prolonged healing of injuries and blurred vision. This condition can increase the chances of serious issues with your eyes, feet, heart, and nerves. Since it's a chronic issue, it might affect your everyday life, possibly leading to changes in your diet, the need for medication, and regular health check-ups. The root cause is linked to a hormone called insulin. It's usually connected to things like being overweight, not getting enough exercise, or having a family history of type 2 diabetes.
The NHS says: "Type 2 diabetes is often diagnosed following routine blood tests. However, you should see a GP straight away if you have any symptoms of diabetes or you're concerned about your risk." You need to keep an eye on your health and have regular check-ups if you have type 2 diabetes because it can lead to:. Diabetes UK says: "We estimate that more than 5.8 million people in the UK are living with diabetes, which is an all-time high. Our data shows that almost 4.6 million people in the UK live with diabetes diagnoses. Additionally, nearly 1.3 million people could be living with type 2 diabetes who are yet to be diagnosed.".
Tom Hanks, 68, said family genetics likely influenced his diagnosis. He said: "I think I was genetically inclined to get it and I think it goes back to a lifestyle I’ve been leading since I was probably seven, as opposed to 36. Part of it is because of my genes and part of it is because of the horrible lifestyle that I led of eating anything I wanted. So now the first thing that I do is I try to take care of that.".
To combat this, Hanks highlighted how he made radical changes to his diet and lifestyle to manage his weight, including adopting a nutritious diet rich in whole grains and fibre, cutting out simple sugars and refined carbohydrates, and focusing on healthy fats along with consuming nuts, poultry, and fish. Following his diagnosis, Hollywood icon Tom Hanks shed the pounds with rigorous exercise and a disciplined diet, committing to shun roles that demand extreme weight changes. He shared his fitness mantra: "I try to get, every single day, one hour of activity. That can be anything from a treadmill, or a walk, or a hike with a dog, but it has to be one hour every single day.".
The celebrated actor previously admitted to Radio Times his past dietary blunders, saying he behaved like a "total idiot". Hanks explained his overweight days bluntly, saying: "I was heavy. You've seen me in movies, you know what I looked like. I was a total idiot. I thought I could avoid it by removing the buns from my cheeseburgers.". While now vigilant about his meals, Hanks still succumbs to temptations on occasion. "I watch what I eat to the point of boredom," he confessed. "Every now and again I cheat to the point of self-loathing. That's it. So after that, I have some coffee, read the paper, get up, get the workout out of the way, take a shower.".
Keeping your blood sugar in check and getting regular diabetes check-ups is the best way to reduce your chances of complications. The Know Your Risk tool from Diabetes UK is a handy resource to help you assess your risk. Collaboration with healthcare professionals is key to managing type 2 diabetes. Establishing management goals, maintaining diets, exercise schedules, and medication adherence are vital steps. Proper disposal of medical supplies is also important in managing the condition.
