Wil.i.am health: Musician on how his stressful life impacted his health

Will.i.am, 44, is a rapper, singer, songwriter, producer, DJ and television personality. He has worked with the likes of Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber and Britney Spears to name just a few. His natural talent for music and what makes a worldwide hit has made him one of the most respected artists of our time. Sadly, not focussing on his own health for many years took a major toll on his body with numerous ailments.

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Speaking to the Loose Women panel back in 2018, Will.i.am admitted that he had a very difficult year where his health was at its lowest.

Speaking candidly to the presenters, he admitted: “Last year was tough for me. When we filmed The Voice I wasn’t the healthiest.

“2017 was ups and downs and I slipped. I weighed a whopping 210lbs, my blood pressure was really high, I had high cholesterol.”

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It’s important to understand the effects of stress on one’s health and dietary behaviours, says Dr Susan Torres, senior lecturer in nutrition for the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences and a member of the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), who researches the links between dietary and mental health.

She said: “Stress is harmful to the body and particularly is a major contributor to the development of chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.”

Poor food choices when leading stressful lives

“We have busy jobs and lives and often not enough time. When this happens, we often seek out fast, convenient food options.

Research has also shown people tend to eat more when they are stressed, leading to the consumption of foods with higher kilojoules but with not a lot of nutrients such as vitamins and minerals.

What we eat and when we eat does have a lot to do with the type of stress we’re experiencing.

Research has shown that chronic daily stress releases cortisol and in studies this has been linked to increasing our appetite or drive for sweet or fatty foods,” said Dr Susan.

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Explaining his turning point and the big shock that made Will.i.am turn his health around, he continued: “The high cholesterol was a wakeup call, then I had bronchitis for a month and a half and I didn’t know why I couldn’t beat it.

“My immune system was weak and I was eating whatever I could eat for energy, my sleeping patterns were really off, I’d have two and a half hours, wake up, go to work, have a nap.

“So I really had to get my life in check. Since December I changed what I eat. I have a plant-based diet, I work out.”

Dr Susan explained how the body physiologically responds to stressful situations: “When we’re stressed our bodies release hormones like adrenaline, which raises blood pressure.

If this is a regular occurrence over the long-term, it can result in hypertension which is then a risk for future cardiovascular disease.”

Will added: “My blood pressure and cholesterol came down without having to take medicine, my nasal drip has gone, both my nostrils are working – as I always had one nostril that didn’t work.

“No more nasal drip and no more acid reflux. I talk to my doctor all the time, he helped saved my best friend’s life.”

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