Mental Wellness: Adhering to Mediterranean Diet and Engaging in an Active Lifestyle Could Offer Protection
A research project known as the MedWalk intervention is examining the potential impact of a lifestyle blend, consisting of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking, on dementia and cognitive decline. This study aims to determine if this combination can help lessen cognitive decline and the risk of dementia in older adults, particularly Alzheimer's dementia.
The MedWalk acronym represents a Mediterranean diet and walking. Numerous studies have linked both components to improved brain health, with this study focusing on their combined benefits. The investigation is taking place amidst Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, giving a broad perspective on the subject.
The study, initially planned to last two years, was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in alterations. To account for this, researchers have shortened the follow-up period to one year and expanded the pool of participants to include more individuals.
The research team's primary focus is on a 12-month change in visual memory and learning for participants, but they are also interested in exploring the impact of the intervention on other aspects, such as mood, life quality, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
The study participants are between the ages of 60 and 90 and reside in South Australia and Victoria, with some recruited from independent living retirement communities. In addition, owing to the pandemic, participants from the broader community have also been enlisted.
Special attention is paid to cognitive decline indicators, including glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress. Participants are divided into the intervention group adopting the MedWalk lifestyle and a control group maintaining their normal diet and activity levels.
The intervention involves dietary modifications along with a guided walking regimen, bolstered by psychosocial behavioral change techniques. For the initial 6 months, participants receive intensive support, with additional assistance available for the following 6 months to help keep them on track. Researchers offer guidance on how the Mediterranean diet differs from a typical Australian diet to help participants understand.
For example, free extra-virgin olive oil is provided, as it plays a significant role in a Mediterranean diet. Following an initial fitness assessment, participants engage in group walking sessions for the first 6 months, followed by monthly sessions for the remainder of the test year.
A certified nutritionist specializing in the Mediterranean diet, Conner Middelmann, stated that prior studies have found an association between the Mediterranean diet and fewer dementia cases. Similarly, other studies have connected the Mediterranean diet and reduced Alzheimer's disease rates. Middelmann warns that numerous factors can influence dementia risk, including but not limited to genetics, lifestyle, and overall health.
In summary, the Mediterranean diet may aid in brain health in several ways: by combating oxidative stress and inflammation, promoting omega-3 fatty acids that are vital for brain health, maintaining a balanced gut microbiome through high-fiber consumption, reducing the risk of insulin resistance and inflammation through the restriction of processed grains and sugars, and discouraging ultra-processed foods, which have been linked to dementia. Lastly, sociability during meals and regular exercise—known to have brain health benefits—are aspects of the Mediterranean diet.
Regular walking is also associated with slower cognitive decline. One study discovered a direct relationship between the number of steps taken and reduced dementia risk, with taking 10,000 steps a day lowering the risk by 50%. Other studies suggest that walking may boost brain health by improving blood flow, benefiting cognitive function, and reducing stress while improving feelings of well-being. The study's data-collection period will complete by the end of 2023.
- The MedWalk intervention, a blend of Mediterranean diet and regular walking, is being studied for its potential impact on dementia and cognitive decline, focusing particularly on Alzheimer's dementia.
- The MedWalk acronym represents a Mediterranean diet and walking, both linked to improved brain health in numerous studies.
- The study, initially planned for two years, has been altered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a shortened follow-up period of one year and an expanded participant pool.
- The research is ongoing across Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, giving a broad perspective on the subject.
- The study's primary focus is on a 12-month change in visual memory and learning for participants, but other aspects such as mood, life quality, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness are also being explored.
- Participants, aged 60 to 90, are divided into an intervention group adopting the MedWalk lifestyle and a control group maintaining their normal diet and activity levels.
- The intervention involves dietary modifications, a guided walking regimen, and psychosocial behavioral change techniques, with participants receiving intensive support for the initial 6 months.
- The data-collection period for the MedWalk study is set to complete by the end of 2023, contributing to the ongoing field of health-and-wellness, mental-health, fitness-and-exercise, and nutrition research.
