Mental wellbeing: Preserving cognitive abilities through Mediterranean diet and regular physical activities.
Revamped Analysis:
Hear 'bout this intriguing study, fam? It's investigating the potential impact of a combo known as MedWalk on dementia and cognitive decline, y'know – a Mediterranean diet mixed with a regular stroll in the park. Given how both elements have been linked to brain health, scientists wanna see what happens when they team up.
The study's gonna wrap up near the end of 2023. It's being led by a crew from Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K., but they had to pause for a minute due to the COVID-19 pandemic. No worries though, they've kept us updated with the info on their methods and findings, which they've shared in the journal Alzheimer's Disease.
Originally, this study was planned to run for two years, but COVID-19 forced them to cut it down to one year. Yet, the researchers believe the modified setup will still deliver the goods. They're recruiting a heap more participants, making it a broader sample.
What interests the researchers most is changes in visual memory and learning over 12 months for participants. They're also curious to see how the intervention affects mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and a bunch of other things.
The participants are people aged 60-90 from South Australia and Victoria, with some coming from retirement communities and others from the larger community. Given the COVID situation, they expanded their recruitment to include more peeps.
They're paying extra attention to biomarkers linked to cognitive decline, including glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress.
The participants are being split into two groups: a MedWalk intervention group and a control group that keeps on doin' their own thang diet and activity-wise. The MedWalk intervention involves diet changes plus a guided walking program, with loads of support for the first six months.
The researchers help them get a hang of the Mediterranean diet, explaining the differences from a typical Aussie diet. They even hook 'em up with extra-virgin olive oil for free, since it's such a big deal in that diet. After an assessment of their aerobic fitness, participants take part in group walks for six months, followed by monthly sessions for the rest of the study.
Mediterranean Diet and Dementia
Certified nutritionist, Conner Middelmann, who ain't involved in the study, told Medical News Today about how studies suggest that following a Mediterranean diet is linked to fewer instances of dementia. Other research from 2023 discovered an association between the Mediterranean diet and lower rates of Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. Though these studies show a link, Middelmann reminded us that plenty of factors impact dementia risk, including genetics, lifestyle, and overall health.
In short, maintainin' a well-rounded diet, like the Mediterranean one, is just one piece of the brain health puzzle.
Mediterranean diet's benefits for brain health may come from antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and inflammation – thought to be major contributors to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. It's also loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, essential for brain health. Omega-3s have been linked to improved cognitive function and a lower risk of cognitive decline.
The diet is high in fiber that keeps the gut microbiome in check, reduces the risk of insulin resistance, and minimizes inflammation. It also discourages ultra-processed foods, tied to dementia, from appearing on the menu. Lastly, it promotes family meals and exercise, activities associated with better brain health.
The Walking Effect on Cognition
Walking regularly has been connected to slower cognitive decline as well.
One study found a dose-dependent relationship between the number of steps and the reduction in dementia risk, with taking 10,000 steps per day cutting the risk in half. Another research showed a link between walking speed and dementia, while a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine stated that aerobic exercise like walking can bolster cognitive impairment.
Bottom Line
Whilst this study's data collection period will wrap up by the end of 2023, the results might give us fresh insights into the combined effects of diet and exercise on our ticker and cognitive health. Keep an eye out for updates!
- With a combination of MedWalk, consisting of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking, scientists are investigating its potential impact on dementia and cognitive decline.
- Although the study initially planned for a two-year run, COVID-19 forced it to be condensed into one year, with a broader participant pool due to the pandemic's impact.
- The study's researchers are interested in changes in visual memory and learning over 12 months in participants, as well as effects on mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and other factors.
- Certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann stated that studies suggest a link between the Mediterranean diet and fewer instances of dementia, primarily due to antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber content, and reduced consumption of ultra-processed foods.
- Walking regularly has been associated with slower cognitive decline; research shows a dose-dependent relationship between the number of steps and dementia risk reduction, as well as improved cognitive function and cognitive impairment alleviation.
- The MedWalk study's findings, expected by the end of 2023, may provide new insights into the combined effects of diet and exercise on heart health and cognitive function; keep an eye out for further updates to learn more.
