Mental Sharpness: Adhering to Mediterranean Eating Habits and Leading an Active Lifestyle may Offer Protection
Study researchers behind the "MedWalk intervention" are investigating whether a Mediterranean diet and regular walking could significantly reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, focusing on Alzheimer's. This research incorporates both the Mediterranean diet and walking, commonly referred to as MedWalk, and aims to confirm the combined advantage of this lifestyle approach.
This ongoing study, initiated by scientists from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, has faced temporary interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite delays, the team has kept the public informed by sharing their research process and ongoing analysis in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
Originally designed to study participants over a 2-year period, challenging circumstances and financial impacts caused by the pandemic necessitated modifying the study to a 1-year follow-up, with recruitment of a broader range of seniors.
The researchers' primary concern lies in examining a 12-month change in participants' visual memory and learning skills. In addition, they are observing potential improvements in various areas such as mood, quality of life, health expenses, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
The participants selected for the study range in age from 60 to 90 and reside in South Australia and Victoria, most originating from independent living retirement communities. Due to the pandemic, researchers expanded their search to include seniors from the broader community as well.
Great emphasis is placed on tracking biomarkers indicative of cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrient levels, and oxidative stress.
The study's MedWalk intervention group is assigned a combination of dietary adjustments and a supervised walking regimen. Psychosocial behavioral change techniques are included for added reinforcement. Each participant receives intensive support during the initial 6 months, offering them ongoing assistance for the following 6 months.
Researchers educate participants on the differences between a Mediterranean diet and a typical Australian diet to help them better understand the diet's concept. Free extra-virgin olive oil is provided, given its essential role in the Mediterranean diet, as well as other related food products.
Upon evaluation of participants' aerobic fitness, they participate in group walking sessions for the first 6 months followed by monthly sessions for the remainder of the study year.
Conner Middelmann, a certified nutritionist specializing in the Mediterranean diet who is not involved in this study, told Medical News Today, "Research suggests that following a Mediterranean diet is linked to fewer dementia cases." Additional studies have indicated an association between a Mediterranean diet and lower rates of Alzheimer's disease - the most common form of dementia.
Although these findings suggest a link between the Mediterranean diet and reduced dementia risk, it is crucial to keep in mind that genetics, lifestyle, and overall health also play significant roles. Therefore, maintaining a healthy diet, like the Mediterranean diet, is merely one aspect of a comprehensive approach to brain health and dementia prevention.
The Mediterranean diet may boost brain health in several ways, including its antioxidant content, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber-rich components, and restrictions on processed grains, sugars, and ultra-processed foods. Furthermore, sharing meals with loved ones and regular exercise, other common practices in Mediterranean cultures, are also known to contribute to better cognitive health.
Walking regularly is also associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline. A study found a dose-dependent relationship between the number of steps taken daily and a lower risk of dementia, with a 50% risk reduction seen when participants reached 10,000 steps.
Other research has linked walking speed to dementia risk and discovered that aerobic exercise like walking could counteract cognitive impairment. Ryan Glatt, a brain health coach from the Pacific Neuroscience Institute who was not involved in this study, explained that walking may improve brain health by increasing blood flow, enhancing brain activity, reducing stress, and promoting feelings of well-being.
Walking also provides additional benefits such as social connections and exposure to nature, which contribute to better cognitive health. The MedWalk study will finalize data collection by the end of 2023.
- The MedWalk intervention, which combines a Mediterranean diet and regular walking, is being investigated by researchers to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, particularly Alzheimer's.
- The study, initially designed for a 2-year period, has faced interruptions due to COVID-19 and has been modified to a 1-year follow-up with a broader range of senior participants.
- Researchers are primarily concerned with examining a 12-month change in participants' visual memory and learning skills, as well as potential improvements in mood, quality of life, health expenses, cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and more.
- The participants, aged 60 to 90, live in South Australia and Victoria, and come from independent living retirement communities, with some being recruited from the broader community due to the pandemic.
- The study tracks biomarkers such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrient levels, and oxidative stress to indicative of cognitive decline.
- The MedWalk intervention group follows a combination of dietary adjustments, supervised walking, and psychosocial behavioral change techniques, receiving intensive support for the first 6 months and ongoing assistance for the following 6 months. The Mediterranean diet is emphasized, with free olive oil and related food products provided, and participants are guided to understand the diet's concept.
