Mental acuity preservation: Mediterranean diet and active routine potentially offer protective benefits.
fellow human, let's dive into a fascinating tale about a research project titled "MedWalk intervention." This badass study is exploring the combined impact of a Med-Mediterranean diet and regular ol' walking on dementia and cognitive decline. Yeah, it's an all-star duo for brain health, son!
Now, you might already know that both the Med diet and walkin' it like an Egyptian (er, a Greek, actually) have been related to some solid brain health benefits. But, see, these scientists aren't satisfied with just patting themselves on the back. Nah, they want to see if these two powerhouse lifestyle choices work like a dynamite combination to keep us from having our cognitive faculties taken away by dementia.
The study, led by a badass crew from Oz, Aotearoa, and Blighty, started a while back and got interrupted by that ol' COVID-19 pandemic biz. But, don't you worry, they've been putting in the work and sharing their processes and findings in the esteemed Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
Originally, the plan was to track these fancy-pants cognitive changes over a whopping 2-year period, but you know how it is—money, skills, and time don't always go as planned. So, they've had to cut back and check in on the project's participants only once a year instead. But, hey, they reckon the modified program will still nab them some pretty exciting results.
The primary focus of this nutso study is a 12-month shift in visual memory and learning for the participants. But, they're also curious to see how the MedWalk intervention affects a slew of other aspects, like mood, overall livin' the dream, healthcare spending, heart health, and arterial stiffness—no biggie, just a tiny collection of crucial aspects of our existence!
The beautiful brains selected for this research are individuals who've hit that 60-year mark, living it up in South Australia and Victoria, Australia. Recruitment for this study has gone beyond the traditional retirement communities and swung wide to engage folks from the larger community as well.
These incredible folks have been allocated to either the MedWalk intervention group or a control group that keeps on keepin' on with their regular diet and lifestyle. The MedWalk group gets support from the researchers, learning about the ins and outs of the Med diet—stuff like exactly how it differs from the usual Australian diet and which tasty treats will help 'em stick to the plan.
In exchange for walkin' the Swiggity Swooty walk, participants get some products that are integral to a Med diet, such as fine free extra-virgin olive oil (pure luxury!). They also hit the pavement for some group walkathons for the first six months, followed by casual monthly strolls to stay on track.
Now, let's take a moment to chat about the Med diet and its links to brain health, shall we? Certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann, who's not involved in this research, has been following the scene and shared her thoughts with us. Studies have shown that sticking to a Med diet can lower the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's, the most common form of the disease. But, don't forget that there are a bunch of factors that can impact our dementia risk, such as our genes, lifestyle, and overall health. So, once again, a healthy diet is just one crucial piece of the puzzle.
One way the Med diet might support brain health is by packing a serious antioxidant punch, helping to fight inflammation and oxidative stress, which are often connected to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. The diet also provides significant omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is vital for brain health, and has been linked to improved cognitive function and a reduced risk of cognitive decline. Additionally, a Med diet helps to maintain a balanced gut microbiome (goodbye, processed grains and sugars!), keeps ultra-processed foods at bay, and encourages social eatin' and regular exercise—all factors associated with brain health.
So, what about walkin' as a means of protectin' our cognitive health, you ask? Well, a study found a direct link between the number of steps taken daily and a lower risk of dementia. The research even suggested that if you clock in 10,000 steps a day, you could slash your risk of developing dementia by an epic 50%! Other studies have found a connection between walking speed and dementia and showed how aerobic exercisin', like walkin', can mitigate cognitive impairment.
Ryan Glatt, a brain health coach, explained how walkin' benefits our noggins: it enhances brain blood flow (depending on the intensity, duration, and frequency of walkin'), boosts brain activity levels, reduces stress, improves overall well-being, and incorporates social and nature elements. By the year 2023, these fab scientists will wrap up their data collection! Keep an eye out for the results!
- This research project, titled "MedWalk intervention," is investigating the combined effects of a Med-Mediterranean diet and regular exercise, particularly walking, on dementia and cognitive decline, which are closely linked to brain health.
- The study, led by researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, is examining whether these two lifestyle choices work synergistically to prevent dementia, a condition that affects a person's mental health.
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the study has been modified to track participants' cognitive changes only once a year instead of the initially planned two-year period, but the researchers remain optimistic about the results.
- The primary focus of the study is a 12-month shift in visual memory and learning for the participants, but the researchers are also studying its effects on mood, overall health-and-wellness, healthcare spending, heart health, arterial stiffness, and other crucial aspects of our existence.
- The participants of the study are individuals aged 60 and above living in South Australia and Victoria, Australia, and the study has extended recruitment efforts beyond traditional retirement communities to include members from the larger community.
- Participants have been randomly assigned to either the MedWalk intervention group or a control group, with the intervention group receiving support and resources for adopting a Med diet and regular walking, and receiving products integral to the Med diet like extra-virgin olive oil.
