Maintaining Brain Health: Adopting Mediterranean Diet and Regular Exercise May Provide Protection
Researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom are investigating a novel intervention, referred to as MedWalk, aimed at delaying or reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. The MedWalk intervention involves adhering to a Mediterranean diet and engaging in regular walking exercises.
The research, which was initially designed for a 2-year period, has been adjusting to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing the follow-up period to one year and expanding the participant pool. The modified study is ongoing and seeking to yield sufficient findings.
Earlier research suggests benefits for both the Mediterranean diet and walking with regards to brain health. The primary focus of this study, however, is to assess the combined effect of these practices on visual memory, learning, and other aspects such as mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
The study is being conducted with participants between 60 and 90 years old, residing in South Australia and Victoria, primarily drawn from independent living retirement communities. Extra attention is paid to biomarkers associated with cognitive decline, including glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress.
Participants are divided into two groups – the MedWalk intervention and a control group maintaining their usual diet and activity level. The MedWalk intervention combines dietary modification with a supervised walking regimen, fortified with psychosocial behavioral change techniques. The program offers intensive support for the initial six months, followed by additional help for the subsequent six months to help participants sustain the intervention.
Some beneficial aspects of a Mediterranean diet for brain health include the presence of antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and inflammation, omega-3 fatty acids essential for brain health, high fiber promoting a balanced gut microbiome, reduction in processed grains and sugars, and prevention of ultra-processed food consumption.
Walking too, has been associated with slower cognitive decline. One study revealed a dose-dependent relationship between the number of steps taken and reduced dementia risk, suggesting a 50% decrease with 10,000 steps daily. Walking may improve overall brain health by increasing brain blood flow, benefiting brain activity levels, reducing stress, and offering social and natural environment exposure.
The study's data collection will be completed by the end of 2023.
- The MedWalk intervention, which combines a Mediterranean diet with regular walking exercises, aims to delay or reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.
- The study, now ongoing in South Australia and Victoria, is seeking to yield sufficient findings after adjusting for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and expanding the participant pool.
- The research, focused on participants aged 60 to 90, will assess the combined effect of the Mediterranean diet and walking on visual memory, learning, mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
- Extra attention is paid to biomarkers associated with cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress.
- Participants are divided into two groups: the MedWalk intervention group and a control group maintaining their usual diet and activity level.
- Some benefits of a Mediterranean diet for brain health include the presence of antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and inflammation, omega-3 fatty acids essential for brain health, high fiber that promotes a balanced gut microbiome, and reduced consumption of ultra-processed food. Walking too, has been associated with slower cognitive decline due to increased brain blood flow, improved brain activity, reduced stress, and offers social and natural environment exposure.
