Strengthening brain health: Opting for the Mediterranean diet coupled with an active lifestyle may offer protective benefits.
Fresh Take:
The ongoing research dubbed "MedWalk" is examining the combined impact of adopting a Mediterranean diet and regular walking on cognitive decline and dementia, especially Alzheimer's. This study seeks to affirm the benefits of a combined MedWalk lifestyle, as both elements have been individually linked with brain health.
Although the pandemic disrupted the timeline, the study is managed by a team from Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, with the latest developments documented in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. Originally designed for a 2-year observation, the follow-up has been reduced to 1 year due to pandemic-related factors.
The primary focus of this study is evaluating the 12-month change in visual memory and learning for participants. Moreover, the researchers are interested in exploring the intervention's impact on various aspects, such as participants' mood, quality of life, cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and health costs.
Participants range from 60 to 90 years old and reside in South Australia and Victoria. The team source participants from independent living retirement communities and, owing to the pandemic, expand their pool to the wider community.
The study places emphasis on monitoring biomarkers associated with cognitive decline, like glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress. The participants are classified into two groups: a MedWalk intervention group and a control group. The intervention combines dietary modification with a guided walking program and offers psychosocial support for optimal results.
Experts, like nutritionist Conner Middelmann, believe that following a Mediterranean diet could decrease dementia risks, as studies suggest an association between the Mediterranean diet and reduced dementia cases. It's essential to consider factors like genetics, lifestyle, and overall health when examining dementia risk. While a Mediterranean diet may benefit cognitive health through antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, reduced processed foods, and fostering social connections, more research is needed to confirm the exact mechanisms.
Walking is also associated with slower cognitive decline, as demonstrated by studies like the one in 2020 that showed consistent walking lowers dementia risks by 50% for those taking 10,000 steps per day.
Brain health coach Ryan Glatt noted that walking may improve brain health by increasing blood flow, boosting brain activity, reducing stress, and offering potential social and nature benefits. The completion of the study's data-collection period is slated for the end of 2023.
Stay tuned for further insights from this fascinating investigation!
- The MedWalk study, focusing on the Mediterranean diet and regular walking, aims to validate the benefits for cognitive decline and dementia, specifically Alzheimer's, by demonstrating the combined impact on brain health.
- Despite pandemic disruptions, the study is being carried out by a collaborative team from Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, with updates published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
- The study focuses on evaluating the 12-month change in visual memory and learning for participants, as well as examining the intervention's impact on mood, quality of life, cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and health costs.
- Participants, aged 60 to 90, come from independent living retirement communities in South Australia and Victoria and, due to the pandemic, have been expanded to include the wider community.
- The study meticulously monitors biomarkers linked with cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress, and divides participants into a MedWalk intervention group and a control group.
- Experts argue that adopting a Mediterranean diet could lower dementia risks, as studies indicate a correlation between the diet and fewer dementia cases. However, more research is required to uncover the exact mechanisms behind this association, considering factors like genetics, lifestyle, and overall health.
