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You know her name – as the former star of NBC’s “Community,” actress Yvette Nicole Brown has been known to inspire glee, on-and-off the small screen. In fact, according to the CBS “The Odd Couple” star, laughter not only pays the bills but it heals.
After revealing her battle with type 2 diabetes – a disease that affects the way the body processes blood sugar -- Brown got proactive, partnering with the American Diabetes Association and Colgate Total, to raise awareness about the link between oral health and the chronic condition.
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“I was prediabetic for 10 years. I never thought it would become actual diabetes. I don’t know if this is a community thing – I don’t want to place this on all of us – but in my family, when someone’s levels were high, it was called ‘sugar.’ Like, ‘she’s just got some sugar.’ It was really a liberating moment – if that makes any sense -- once I realized that I had to make some big life changes,” Brown told BlackDoctor.org in a recent interview.
Now, an advocate for type 2 diabetes, the Cleveland native is using her platform to spread awareness and encouragement by way of laughter in Colgate's a new “Laugh Out Loud” campaign.
“That is why my partnership with Colgate [Total] is so important. They are the only FDA-approved toothpaste that helps prevent gingivitis.”
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“Taking control of your oral health is crucial. There is so much going on in our mouths with everything we consume and ingest. Knowing that you’re twice as likely to get gum disease if you have diabetes was an eye opening moment,” Brown said of her 2013 diagnosis. “I use to get regular cleanings every six months – now I go every three months.”
As for the steps Brown’s taken to improve her health, the 45-year-old revealed that “every day is a struggle.”
“We [those with Type 2 diabetes] have to make a daily decision to live better. Instead of reaching for a glass of sweet tea, choose water; park further away from the mall or work and walk. Moving around just a little bit, goes a long way,” said Brown.
In addition to her campaign, Brown tells BlackDoctor.org she also keeps a close eye on loved ones. “Any time a friend may be showcasing symptoms that they could be at risk, I say ‘Hey, have you had your levels checked?’”
Overall, Brown hopes that her story will educate and encourage others to take control of their health. “I hope that people really enjoy our videos,” said Brown of an upcoming series of 'Laugh Out Loud' videos. “We aren’t trying to make light of the diagnosis -- at the same time, we want people to laugh and learn – they [the videos] came from the heart.”
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