Maintaining Brain Health: Mediterranean Diet and Active Lifestyle as Potential Safeguards
In the real world, scientists are investigating a combo called MedWalk, which is the combination of the Mediterranean diet and daily walks, to potentially reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer's. This study, being carried out by a team from Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, aims to reveal the amazing benefits of this lifestyle intervention.
MedWalk, short for the Mediterranean diet with regular walks, has already been linked to brain health. Now, let's see if it truly works wonders together!
Initially designed to track cognitive improvements over two years, the study has been altered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, it will only be following up for a year. Despite the change, the researchers believe the modified structure will still provide powerful findings.
The primary outcome the scientists are focusing on is a change in visual memory and learning abilities among participants over the next twelve months. Additionally, they are looking forward to examining the intervention's impact on other areas, such as mood, quality of life, and health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
Participants for the study are individuals aged 60 to 90 residing in the Australian states of South Australia and Victoria. They have been recruited from independent living retirement communities, with some also joining from the broader community due to pandemic constraints.
Researchers have given special attention to biomarkers linked to cognitive decline, like glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress.
Participants are divided into two groups – the MedWalk intervention group and a control group, where individuals maintain their usual diets and activity levels.
The MedWalk intervention includes dietary changes, a walking program, and psychosocial behavioral change techniques. In the first six months, participants receive thorough support, while additional aid remains available for the next six months to keep them on track.
To clarify the Mediterranean diet concept, the researchers provide free extra-virgin olive oil and other Mediterranean foods, as well as guidance to emphasize the differences between this diet and a typical Australian diet.
After an assessment of baseline aerobic fitness, participants join group walking sessions for the first six months, followed by monthly sessions for the remainder of the test year.
Conner Middelmann, a certified nutritionist specializing in the Mediterranean diet, noted that previous studies suggest a link between following such a diet and fewer dementia cases. Furthermore, there are studies associating a Mediterranean diet with lower rates of Alzheimer's disease, the most prevalent form of dementia.
However, Middelmann underlined, there are various factors influencing dementia risk, including genetics, lifestyle, and overall health. So, maintaining a healthy diet like the Mediterranean diet is just one aspect of a well-rounded approach to brain health and dementia prevention.
A Mediterranean diet may benefit brain health in several ways: it is rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and low in processed grains, sugars, and ultra-processed foods. It also encourages social aspects and regular exercise, all connected to brain health.
Similarly, walking regularly has also been linked to slower cognitive decline. One study found that taking 10,000 steps daily could lower the risk of dementia by half. Regular walking might improve brain health by increasing blood flow, boosting brain activity, helping reduce stress, and forming social connections and exposure to nature.
The data-collection period for this investigation is set to conclude by the end of 2023. Stay tuned for exciting findings!
- MedWalk, combining the Mediterranean diet and daily walks, has been linked to potential improvements in brain health and a reduction of cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer's.
- The study investigating MedWalk's effects on cognitive decline is following participants for one year, with the focus on changes in visual memory and learning abilities, as well as assessing the intervention's impact on other areas like mood, quality of life, and health costs.
- The MedWalk intervention includes dietary changes, a walking program, and psychosocial behavioral change techniques, with participants receiving support for the first six months and additional aid for the next six months.
- Researchers are giving free extra-virgin olive oil and Mediterranean foods to participants, along with guidance on how to differentiate this diet from a typical Australian diet, and assessing each participant's baseline aerobic fitness to develop personalized group walking sessions.
- Mental health professionals have indicated that a Mediterranean diet may reduce dementia cases and lower rates of Alzheimer's disease; however, they emphasize that genetics, lifestyle, and overall health are among the factors influencing dementia risk.
- Walking regularly has been associated with slower cognitive decline and improved brain health by increasing blood flow, boosting brain activity, helping reduce stress, and forming social connections and exposure to nature.
