Nadiya Hussein Reveals Diagnosis of Two Autoimmune Diseases in Surprising Health Update
Nadiya Hussain, the renowned television chef, has disclosed that she has been diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases. The 39-year-old rose to fame by winning the sixth series of The Great British Bake Off in 2015, triumphing over Ian Cumming and Tamal Ray. Since then, she has authored several cookbooks, including Cook Once Eat Twice and Nadiya’s Everyday Baking. Hussain shared the unexpected news of her diagnosis with her 896k Instagram followers on Monday (7 October), advising her fans to pay attention to their bodies and prioritise their health.
Research indicates that approximately one in 10 individuals in the UK suffer from autoimmune disorders, such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and damages healthy body tissue.
In a social media post, Hussain emphasised, “I cannot express enough the importance of taking care of yourself. I am the kind of person who burns the candle at both ends, takes care of everyone else’s needs but my own.” She confessed to neglecting self-care practices and feeling guilty when she does take time for herself. Over the past two years, particularly this year, she experienced declining health and was eventually diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases, details of which she chose not to disclose at the moment.
Acknowledging the significance of her diagnosis in managing her health moving forward, the Bake Off champion urged her followers to “listen to your body” and “take care of yourself,” even though she admitted her own struggles in doing so. She stressed the necessity of prioritising self-care, noting, “We need to take more care of ourselves.”
Concluding her message, Hussain acknowledged that the past year had been tough with numerous hospital tests, but expressed gratitude for being alive. She stated, “It’d be great not to be sick, but I’m here. And that’s what really matters.”
Since her Bake Off victory, Hussain has ventured into hosting and appearing in various TV programmes, including the documentary The Chronicles Of Nadiya and the cookery series Nadiya’s British Food Adventure and Nadiya’s Family Favourites. Last month, she mentioned in an interview that she has not watched Bake Off since 2019 due to the multitude of changes the show has undergone, such as the departure of former presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, as well as judge Mary Berry, after its move from BBC to Channel 4.
As Hussain navigates through her health challenges, she continues to inspire and connect with audiences through her culinary expertise and candid reflections.