Zoë Saldana Reveals She Has an Autoimmune Disease—& Shares How She's Fighting It

Zoe Saldana is opening up about her health, revealing for the first time that she's been battling an autoimmune disease that runs in her family.

In an interview with Net-a-Porter's The Edit, the Star Trek Beyond star told the mag she suffers from Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which turns the immune system against the body's own tissues. It is an illness that both her mother and sister have as well. "Your body doesn't have the energy it needs to filter toxins, causing it to believe that it has an infection, so it's always inflamed," the actress, 38, explained. "You create antibodies that attack your glands, so you have to eat clean."

To do just that, the mom of two and her husband, Marco Perego, are both gluten- and dairy-free, which has been tough for the self-proclaimed foodie. "I had a great time in my twenties," she continued. "Then your doctor says you're losing calcium in your bones. What the f**k is that?! I would hear those conversations with my mom and grandma, thinking I'd never get there. I'm going to live forever!" But all of a sudden it hits you. I sh*t you not, it's from night to day."

Still, Saldana hasn't let the disease slow her down. She even spent six months training in martial arts, archery and horse riding to prepare for her role of alien Neytiri in Avatar. Aside from that and caring for her 1-year-old twin boys Cy and Bowie, Saldana just finished five months of filming for Guardians of the Galaxy, is currently promoting Star Trek Beyond and runs a production company called Cinestar, among other projects.

The actress also wants to further the conversation of female equality in Hollywood, adding, "As women in positions of power, we have to use it to help other women," she said.

Talk about inspiring.