Nick Cannon didn't know anything about lupus nephritis when he was first diagnosed in 2012 , so hearing that some of his other health complications were the result of the autoimmune disease came as a surprise.

It was only after Cannon did some research on the condition, which had resulted in kidney failure and blood clots in his lungs , that he began to understand and take care of his well-being. Now he hopes his story encourages others to do the same.

"[Y]ou realize that this is something that you can live with and actually overcome with the proper research and with the proper support system," he told HuffPost Live.

In the years following his lupus diagnosis, the "America's Got Talent" host has changed his diet and started prioritizing his health.

"I'm healthier now than I've ever been before, because of the research, because of the education that I've received on the proper things to eat and the proper things to put into my body -- what can cause flare ups and what can't, and preventative measures and all of these things," he said. "And when you can share that information and share knowledge and research, I think that helps more than anything."

Check out the clip above to learn more about Cannon's diagnosis and watch the full HuffPost Live conversation with him here .

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