Maintaining Brain Health: Adopting the Mediterranean Diet and Active Lifestyle may offer Protection
Unlocking Brain Power: A Study Explores the Impact of a Mediterranean Diet and Walking on Dementia
Scientists are delving into the potential benefits of pairing a Mediterranean diet with regular walking, in an effort to combat cognitive decline and dementia. They’ve coined this approach as the "MedWalk intervention."
Previous research has linked both a Mediterranean diet and walking to improved brain health. However, this study aims to spotlight the combined effects of these two healthy habits.
Originally designed to track cognitive changes over two years, the study was altered due to the pandemic, now following participants for just one year. The research crew has expanded the participant pool to include a larger sample, ensuring the findings remain robust.
The primary objective of the study is to observe a 12-month change in visual memory and learning abilities for participants. However, the MedWalk intervention's impact on mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and biomarkers associated with cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress, are also of interest.
The MedWalk intervention group will embark on a regimen that combines dietary modifications with a supervised walking routine, accompanied by behavioral change techniques. Participants receive support for the first six months and have access to assistance for the following six months to maintain adherence to the program.
The study includes participants aged 60-90 who reside in South Australia and Victoria, Australia, gathered from independent living retirement communities as well as the wider community.
Intrigued by the study, Conner Middelmann, a certified nutritionist specializing in the Mediterranean diet, shared her insights with Medical News Today:
"Research suggests that adhering to a Mediterranean diet could reduce dementia cases," says Middelmann. "There's even evidence linking it to lower rates of Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia."
However, Middelmann warns that a myriad of factors can influence dementia risk, including genetics, lifestyle, and overall health. Therefore, maintaining a healthy diet, like the Mediterranean diet, is just one aspect of a comprehensive approach to brain health and dementia prevention.
The Mediterranean diet might contribute to brain health in several ways:
- Rich in antioxidants fighting oxidative stress and inflammation, thought to be key contributors to cognitive decline
- High in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vital for brain health, and linked to improved cognitive function and reduced cognitive decline
- High-fiber content maintaining a balanced gut microbiome
- Low in processed grains and sugars, reducing the risk of insulin resistance and inflammation
- Minimization of ultra-processed foods, linked to dementia, is promoted in the diet
Walking is associated with slower cognitive decline as well. A study found that taking 10,000 steps a day halved the risk of dementia. Walking benefits brain health in various ways, including increasing blood flow to the brain, boosting brain activity, reducing stress, and exposing the brain to nature's elements, all of which could contribute to better cognitive function and a lower risk of dementia. The current study's data-collection period will be completed by the end of 2023.
Insights:The Mediterranean diet, with its emphasis on antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, high fiber, and reduced processed foods, is linked to improved cognitive function and a lower risk of dementia. Regular walking is also associated with slower cognitive decline and better brain health. An ongoing study aims to examine the combined impact of a Mediterranean diet and walking on brain health, including dementia and cognitive decline.
- Scientists are investigating the potential benefits of the MedWalk intervention, a combination of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking, in combating cognitive decline and dementia.
- The study investigates the impact of this combined approach on various factors, such as visual memory and learning abilities, mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and biomarkers associated with cognitive decline.
- The study's primary objective is to observe a 12-month change in visual memory and learning abilities for participants.
- Conner Middelmann, a nutritionist specializing in the Mediterranean diet, asserts that adhering to this diet could reduce dementia cases, even lowering rates of Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia.
- The Mediterranean diet is rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, high fiber, and low on processed foods, contributing to improved cognitive function and a lower risk of dementia.
- Walking is associated with slower cognitive decline and better brain health, as it increases blood flow to the brain, boosts brain activity, reduces stress, and exposes the brain to nature's elements, potentially leading to better cognitive function and a lower risk of dementia.
