Jet Li is aging and losing his beauty due to hyperthyroidism.

Martial arts king Jet Li temporarily put aside film projects to focus on meditation and practicing Tai Chi to cure his illness.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the martial arts star was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in 2010. Since then, Jet Li's health and appearance have changed for the worse. Hyperthyroidism affects the actor's cardiovascular system. When he over-trains, his heart rate can increase to 140 beats per minute, forcing the star to temporarily retire from action scenes in films.

Martial arts star Jet Li and his appearance at a recent press conference (right). Photo: THX.

Hyperthyroidism is an endocrine disease that causes changes in body weight, rapid heartbeat, hand tremors, enlarged neck and even bulging eyes in some patients. This disease is difficult to predict and the changes in the body appear slowly. The most dangerous complication is the major impact on the cardiovascular system.

After contracting the disease, the actor gained weight, his face was swollen and his eyes were weak and had to be hidden behind sunglasses. The disease greatly affected his health, so the actor had to stop filming projects to focus on treatment. Recently, the actor said he had just dropped out of his role in xXx: The Return of Xander Cage, a Hollywood blockbuster project, due to health concerns.

The star gained weight, her face was swollen, July 2015. Photo: Sina.

At the age of 53, the martial arts star is dedicated to teaching Tai Chi at the center he co-founded in Beijing. Here, students are instructed in tea ceremony, meditation, Tai Chi, flower arrangement... to lead a healthy life. Jet Li said: "I want to promote and expand this subject to improve public health." For the past 3 years, he has given up film projects to focus on practicing Tai Chi to improve his health.

Actor teaches Tai Chi. Photo: THX.

Since becoming ill, the actor has become more aware of the value of health. Every time he meets his friends, they comment that Jet Li looks old and haggard, some guessing that he is over 60 years old. Currently, the actor must take medication to treat his illness to avoid complications that could cause blindness and affect his heart.

Jet Li was born in 1963 in Beijing, China, a familiar actor on screen, known as the king of martial arts. From 1975-1979, the actor spent time practicing martial arts. In 1982, thanks to his role as monk Giac Vien in Shaolin Temple, Jet Li's name became famous throughout Asia and the world.

According to VNE