Preserving Brain Health: Mediterranean Diet and Active Lifestyle Offer Potential Protection
The MedWalk Intervention
Researchers are investigating the combined impact of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking, known as the MedWalk intervention, on dementia and cognitive decline. This study aims to determine if this approach can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.
State of Affairs
The investigation, led by a team of researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, is currently underway and faced some delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although some interruptions occurred, the authors have shared their processes and ongoing analyses in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
Primary Goal
The primary focus of this study is measuring a 12-month change in visual memory and learning skills for participants, as this is deemed essential for cognitive health. The research team is also intending to observe the effects of the intervention on other areas, including mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
Participants and Process
The participants are predominantly 60-90-year-old individuals living in South Australia and Victoria, who are recruited from independent living retirement communities. As a consequence of the pandemic, the team expanded recruitment to the larger community as well.
Participants are randomly assigned to either the MedWalk intervention group or a control group that follows their usual diet and activity level. The MedWalk intervention consists of dietary modifications, a supervised walking regimen, and behavioral change techniques to support participants throughout the study.
Implications of the Mediterranean Diet
Certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann, who is not involved in the current study, explained the potential benefits of the Mediterranean diet to Medical News Today. Research suggests that adhering to a Mediterranean diet is linked to fewer cases of dementia and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Middelmann cautioned that various factors can influence dementia risk, urging people to pursue a comprehensive approach to brain health, including the Mediterranean diet.
The Mediterranean diet offers numerous potential advantages that could contribute to brain health. This diet is loaded with antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and inflammation, which are believed to contribute to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, the diet features essential omega-3 fatty acids and is high in fiber that supports gut microbiome balance, reduces insulin resistance, and decreases inflammation. Consuming ultra-processed foods, linked to dementia, is not encouraged in the Mediterranean diet.
Benefits of Regular Walking
Aside from diet, walking is associated with slower cognitive decline. A study found that taking around 10,000 steps per day reduces the risk of dementia by 50%. Walking improves brain health through several potential mechanisms, including increased brain blood flow, improved cognitive function, stress relief, and better feelings of well-being. It can also incorporate social elements and exposure to nature, which are further known to have a positive impact on cognitive benefits.
Conclusion
The data collection for the MedWalk intervention study is expected to be completed by the end of 2023, and we will eagerly await the results to determine the efficacy of this approach in reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. In the meantime, maintaining a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, is part of a multifaceted strategy for brain health and dementia prevention.
- The MedWalk intervention, a combination of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking, is being studied by researchers for its potential impact on dementia and cognitive decline.
- The study aims to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, through this approach.
- The investigation, faced with delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is observing changes in visual memory and learning skills over a 12-month period, among other factors, for the participants.
- The participants, predominantly older adults from South Australia and Victoria, are randomly assigned to either the MedWalk intervention group or a control group.
- The Mediterranean diet, a key component of the MedWalk intervention, is linked to fewer cases of dementia and a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease, as explained by certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann.
- Regular walking, aside from the Mediterranean diet, is associated with slower cognitive decline and provides numerous potential advantages for brain health, such as increased brain blood flow, improved cognitive function, stress relief, and better feelings of well-being.
