Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day – February 2, 2026

-

 

    Breaking Myths, Empowering Patients, and the Role of  Diet in Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis

    Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is not just “joint pain” or “old age problem.” It is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own joints, causing pain, swelling, stiffness, and eventually joint damage.

    Every year, February 2 is observed as Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day to educate people about this invisible illness, break common myths, and highlight the importance of early diagnosis, proper treatment, and specialized care.



2026 Theme:

Empowering patients, promoting early diagnosis, and ensuring access to specialized care.

Because many patients in India, especially women, suffer silently without knowing that their symptoms are due to RA.

❗ Common Myths About Rheumatoid Arthritis

MythTruth
RA is same as normal arthritisRA is an autoimmune disease, not wear and tear
Only elderly people get RARA commonly affects 30–50 years women
Joint pain is due to calcium deficiencyIt is due to immune system inflammation
Rest is the best solutionProper movement + diet + treatment is needed
Food has no roleAnti-inflammatory diet plays a major role


⚠️ Early Symptoms People Ignore

  • Morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes

  • Swelling in finger joints, wrists, knees

  • Fatigue and weakness

  • Loss of appetite

  • Mild fever

  • Symmetrical joint pain (both hands/legs)

Early diagnosis can prevent permanent joint damage.


🔥 Why Diet is Very Important in Rheumatoid Arthritis

    RA is an inflammatory condition. Certain foods increase inflammation, while some traditional Tamil foods naturally reduce it. Food cannot cure RA, but can significantly reduce pain, stiffness, flare-ups, and dependence on painkiller.


🚫 Foods That Increase Inflammation 

  • Maida foods (parotta, bakery items)

  • Deep fried snacks (bajji, bonda, chips)

  • Excess polished white rice

  • Sugar, sweets, tea with excess sugar

  • Red meat and processed meat

  • Reheated oils

  • Packaged foods



✅ Anti-Inflammatory Foods for RA Patients

🌿 1. Traditional Rice Varieties

  • Mappillai Samba

  • Kullakar

  • Karuppu Kavuni

  • Hand-pounded rice

Rich in fiber and antioxidants that reduce inflammation.


🥬 2. Greens (Keerai) – At least 4 times/week

  • Murungai keerai

  • Mudakathan keerai

  • Arai keerai

  • Siru keerai

  • Ponnanganni keerai

  • Manathakkali keerai

Help reduce joint swelling and improve immunity.


🧄 3. Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients from Kitchen

  • Turmeric + pepper

  • Garlic

  • Ginger

  • Small onions

  • Jeera, methi, coriander seeds

Use daily in cooking.


🥜 4. Nuts & Seeds

  • Flax seeds

  • Sesame seeds

  • Groundnuts

  • Almonds (soaked)

Rich in good fats that reduce joint inflammation.


🐟 5. Omega-3 Rich Foods

(For non-vegetarians)

  • Sardines (Mathi)

  • Mackerel (Ayala)

🥣 6. Fermented Foods for Gut Health

RA is strongly linked with gut inflammation.

  • Idli

  • Dosa

  • Pazhaya sadham (fermented rice)

  • Buttermilk

  • Homemade curd


🫘 7. Protein from Traditional Sources

  • Horse gram

  • Green gram

  • Cowpea 

  • Bengal gram

  • Sprouts

Prevents muscle wasting and weakness.


🫗 8. Hydration & Herbal Support

  • Cinnamon water

  • Jeera water

  • Coriander seed water

  • Sukku malli coffee

  • Turmeric milk at night



🧘 Lifestyle Tips Along With Diet

  • Gentle walking and stretching

  • Sunlight exposure for Vitamin D

  • Proper sleep

  • Stress management (very important trigger)

  • Avoid long fasting gaps

❤️ Empowering RA Patients

Rheumatoid Arthritis is manageable when patients:

  • Seek early medical care from rheumatologist

  • Follow anti-inflammatory diet

  • Stay active

  • Avoid food triggers

  • Do not depend only on painkillers

You can live an active, independent life with RA.


🌼 Final Message for Awareness Day

    Joint pain is not a normal part of aging. Early diagnosis + anti-inflammatory foods + proper care can prevent disability. This Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day, let us break myths and empower patients with the right knowledge.


- Saranya, Dietician


⚠️ Disclaimer :For educational purposes only. Consult a professional for individual health advice.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Strengthen Your Bones: Top Nutritional Tips for World Osteoporosis Day 2024

-
Image
Strengthen Your Bones: Top Nutritional Tips for World Osteoporosis Day 2024      World Osteoporosis Day, observed every year on October 20th, focuses on raising awareness about the importance of bone health. This year's theme, "Say No to Fragile Bones," emphasizes the need to protect our bones from becoming weak and brittle. Osteoporosis, often called the "silent disease," affects millions worldwide, causing fractures and impairing mobility, especially in older adults. However, with the right nutrition and lifestyle choices, we can strengthen our bones and ensure they remain healthy throughout our lives. Importance of Bone Health:      Bone health is crucial for overall well-being and longevity. Fragile bones, especially as we age, can lead to osteoporosis—a condition where bones become porous and weak. This increases the risk of fractures, particularly in the spine, hips, and wrists. For older adults, even a minor fall can result in serious injury. That’s ...
Read more

Breaking Barriers with Food: Top Indian Superfoods for Diabetes Management

-
Image
Breaking Barriers with Food: Top Indian Superfoods for Diabetes Management      Managing diabetes can often feel overwhelming, especially with the surge of conflicting dietary advice out there. But what if we turned to our traditional Indian kitchen for answers? For centuries, Indian cuisine has been rich in powerful ingredients that naturally support blood sugar control. On this World Diabetes Day, with the theme "Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps," let's explore how some simple, traditional Indian superfoods can help manage and even prevent diabetes. Fenugreek (Methi)      Fenugreek seeds are tiny, yet mighty when it comes to diabetes management. Rich in soluble fiber, fenugreek slows down carbohydrate absorption and improves insulin sensitivity. How to Include Fenugreek in Your Diet: Soaked Seeds: Soak 1 tablespoon of fenugreek seeds overnight and eat them on an empty stomach in the morning for better blood sugar control. Sprouts: Add fenugreek sprouts ...
Read more

Traditional Tamil Foods to Boost Immunity

-
Image
  7 Traditional Tamil Foods to Boost Immunity  During the Cold Season      During the cold season, many people frequently suffer from common cold, cough, sore throat, fever, and low immunity. When immunity is weak, the body becomes more vulnerable to infections.      As a dietician, I strongly believe that traditional Tamil foods play a powerful role in naturally strengthening immunity. They are affordable, easily available, and have been used for generations to protect health.      Let us understand the basics of immunity and the top 7 traditional Tamil foods that help boost immunity during the cold season. What Is Immunity? Immunity is the body’s natural defense system . It helps the body fight against: Viral and bacterial infections Seasonal illnesses Inflammation Weakness and fatigue Strong immunity depends on: A balanced diet Adequate sleep Proper hydration Stress management Food plays a major role in supporting immune health. ...
Read more