Dietary and Lifestyle Choices Potentially Preserve Cognitive Health: Mediterranean Diet and Physical Activity May Offer Benefits
A groundbreaking study, dubbed the "MedWalk intervention," is currently in progress, exploring the potential of merging a Mediterranean diet with regular walking to combat dementia and cognitive decline. This combo, referred to as MedWalk, is believed to offer a significant advantage in preserving cognitive health.
Although both a Mediterranean diet and regular exercise have separately shown positive impacts on brain health, the MedWalk study aims to confirm the benefits of this combined approach. The research group, comprising scientists from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, have confronted hurdles, including the COVID-19 pandemic, but continue to persevere.
The team's primary focus lies in assessing the 12-month change in participants' visual memory and learning abilities. In addition, they're monitoring the intervention's impact on various aspects, including mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
Participants for the study are primarily 60-90-year-olds residing in South Australia and Victoria, sourced from independent living retirement communities and, as a result of the pandemic, from larger communities as well. Special emphasis is placed on tracking biomarkers associated with cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress.
Participants are divided into two groups: the MedWalk intervention group, who follow a Mediterranean diet and supervised walking regimen, and a control group maintaining their usual diet and activity level. The MedWalk intervention includes dietary guidance, a walking program supported by psychosocial behavioral change techniques, and ongoing assistance to help participants stay engaged.
Previous research suggests that adhering to a Mediterranean diet may lower the risk of dementia. Other studies have found links between this diet and lower rates of Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. Conner Middelmann, a certified nutritionist specializing in the Mediterranean diet, emphasizes that while these findings indicate a possible connection, numerous factors can influence dementia risk, and maintaining a healthy diet is just one facet of overall brain health.
Walking regularly has also been linked to slower cognitive decline. Evidence suggests that taking 10,000 steps a day could decrease the risk of dementia by 50%. Studies have found links between walking speed and dementia, and aerobic exercise like walking has been shown to strengthen cognitive impairment. Brain health coach Ryan Glatt explains that walking may improve brain health by increasing blood flow, benefiting brain activity, reducing stress, and incorporating social and natural elements.
The MedWalk study is expected to complete its data-collection period by the end of 2023. To dive deeper into the study's findings, you can seek out the published papers or specific trial results for a more detailed analysis.
- The MedWalk intervention, a combination of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking, is currently underway, investigating its potential to combat dementia and cognitive decline.
- The research team, comprising scientists from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, aims to confirm the benefits of this approach and has faced challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Participants, primarily 60-90-year-olds from South Australia and Victoria, are being tracked for a 12-month change in their visual memory and learning abilities, as well as other factors such as mood, quality of life, health costs, and cardiovascular health.
- The study includes biomarker assessments related to cognitive decline, including glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress.
- Participants are divided into two groups: the MedWalk intervention group, who follow a Mediterranean diet and supervised walking regimen, and a control group maintaining their usual diet and activity level.
- Previous research suggests that adhering to a Mediterranean diet may lower the risk of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease, while walking regularly has also been linked to slower cognitive decline, with potential benefits to overall mental health, fitness-and-exercise, and health-and-wellness.
