UNAIR NEWS The Department of Nutrition at the Faculty of Public Health, (UNAIR), recently hosted a guest lecture featuring Prof. Dr. Sareena Hanim Hamzah from Universiti Malaya. The event, held in person at the Soemarto Auditorium on Monday (May 5, 2025), explored the topic of sports nutrition and its role in preventing degenerative diseases.
Dr. Siti Rahayu Nadhiroh, S.KM., M.Kes, Head of the Department of Nutrition, noted in her opening remarks that the prevalence of degenerative diseases has been rising sharply in recent years. She emphasized that this trend presents a growing public health challenge. One of the key preventive strategies, she said, is a combination of nutritious eating and regular physical exercise.
淩ecent studies have shown that physical activity can also be effective in reducing the risk of degenerative disease, she added.
Understanding sports nutrition
In her presentation, Prof. Hamzah explained that sports nutrition involves the strategic management of food and fluid intake tailored to the body檚 needs during exercise. She stressed that nutrition plays a vital role in enhancing one檚 physical performance. 淲hat people consume directly influences their athletic ability, she said.
She further clarified that achieving optimal performance requires sufficient nutrition in both quality and quantity. Nutrient intake should be addressed before, during, and after physical activity, as these nutrients are the body檚 primary source of energy.
淭his is why it檚 crucial to consume the right foods and drinks, particularly when engaging in prolonged physical activity, she added.
According to Prof. Hamzah, maintaining proper nutrition not only boosts physical performance but also supports long-term health. Both nutrition and exercise, she emphasized, have a measurable impact on the development and prevention of degenerative diseases.
She explained that a well-balanced diet includes proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, all of which are essential for optimal health. Protein, in particular, is a key nutrient that should be consumed daily. 淵ou need to make sure you檙e getting enough protein攄on檛 skip it, she stressed, citing chicken and fish as good sources.
Link to degenerative disease
淒egenerative diseases are chronic conditions that gradually worsen over time, Prof. Sareena explained. These illnesses typically arise from the decline in tissue structure and function, often driven by factors such as aging, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
She emphasized that there is a strong relationship between sports nutrition and degenerative disease prevention. Proper nutrition, when paired with regular exercise, can help reduce inflammation, a major contributor to these chronic conditions. 淕etting the right nutrition along with consistent exercise can help lower inflammation, which is one of the root causes of degenerative diseases, she said.
Prof. Sareena also highlighted that degenerative diseases are irreversible, meaning the body cannot fully recover once damage occurs. However, the progression of these diseases can be delayed through lifestyle changes, particularly a healthy diet and exercise.
淎 healthy diet combined with physical activity is an effective strategy for preventing degenerative diseases, she emphasized.
She also explained that exercise can increase the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which are free radicals in the body. Although the body naturally produces antioxidants to combat ROS, those defenses can sometimes fall short.
When that happens, oxidative stress can occur, damaging cells and contributing to the onset of degenerative diseases. 淚f the body檚 natural antioxidants can檛 keep up with ROS produced during exercise, it檚 essential to obtain additional antioxidants through food. That檚 why proper nutrition must accompany physical activity, she concluded.
Author: Septy Dwi Bahari Putri
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
