Let's dive into the MedWalk study, a game-changer in dementia research
Preserving Mental Acuity: Adopting Mediterranean Diet and Active Lifestyle Yields Potential Defense
Researchers are questioning if following the MedWalk lifestyle could be the key to reducing cognition decline and dementias, such as Alzheimer's. MedWalk is simply the pairing of a Mediterranean diet with regular walking.
Previously, researchers observed these elements linked to brain health. Now, they're probing their combined effect. The study, spearheaded by teams from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, began before the pandemic but was temporarily halted.
The authors shared their strategies and data collection methods in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease while the study continues.
Originally, the study aimed to assess cognition over a two-year period. However, the COVID-19 outbreak and its financial impacts led to alterations. The study's follow-up period was reduced to a year, with researchers recruiting a more extensive pool of participants. Confident in the modified design, they believe it will yield informative findings.
Primarily, they're interested in measuring a 12-month change in visual memory and learning for participants. They also plan to observe its impact on various facets, including mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
Participants are 60-90-year-olds living in South Australia and Victoria, sourced from independent living retirement communities. Given the pandemic, they also enlisted participants from the broader community.
The study focuses on biomarkers related to cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress.
These participants were split into two groups: those adhering to the MedWalk intervention and a control group maintaining their usual habits. The MedWalk intervention comprises a change in diet and supervised walking, supplemented with psychosocial techniques to promote behavioral change. Participants receive intensive support in the first six months, followed by six more months of assistance.
Researchers offer guidance to help participants understand the Mediterranean diet's differences from the typical Australian diet. They provide free extra-virgin olive oil, a key ingredient in the Mediterranean diet, as well as other foods.
After assessing each participant's baseline aerobic fitness, they engage in group walking sessions for the first six months, followed by monthly sessions for the rest of the trial.
Food for Thought: The Mediterranean Diet and Cognition
Certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann, not associated with the study, informed us that studies suggest adhering to the Mediterranean diet reduces cases of dementia. Other research discovered an association between the Mediterranean diet and lower Alzheimer's disease rates.
Middelmann advised readers that factors like genetics, lifestyle, and overall health can impact dementia risk. Thus, maintaining a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, is simply an aspect of an all-encompassing approach to brain health and dementia prevention.
The Mediterranean diet could contribute to brain health in various ways:
- Rich antioxidants combat oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially mitigating cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases
- Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, are vital for brain health, and omega-3s have been linked to improved cognitive function and lower cognitive decline risk
- High fiber supports a balanced gut microbiome, reducing the risk of insulin resistance and inflammation
- Processed foods, linked to dementia, are not encouraged in the diet
- Sharing meals with loved ones and regular exercise, both associated with brain health, are also part of the Mediterranean lifestyle
Step it Up: How Walking Protects Cognition
Walking regularly also contributes to slower cognitive decline. A study found a dose-dependent relationship between steps taken and reducing dementia risk. This study suggested that taking 10,000 steps a day could lower dementia risk by 50%.
U.S. and Australian research discovered a link between walking speed and dementia, while a 2017 study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine concluded that aerobic exercise, like walking, can combat cognitive impairment.
Brain health coach Ryan Glatt explained that walking may boost brain health in ways such as Increasing brain blood flow, depending on intensity, duration, and frequency; benefiting brain activity levels; reducing stress and enhancing feelings of well-being; and incorporating social and natural elements with cognitive benefits.
The study's data collection period is scheduled to end by the close of 2023.
- The MedWalk study, which pairs a Mediterranean diet with regular walking, aims to reduce cognition decline and dementias, such as Alzheimer's.
- Researchers believe that the combined effect of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking could be a key to mitigating cognitive decline and dementias.
- The study focuses on biomarkers related to cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress.
- Participants in the MedWalk study are 60-90-year-olds living in South Australia and Victoria, sourced from independent living retirement communities, as well as the broader community due to the pandemic.
- Adhering to the Mediterranean diet could reduce cases of dementia and lower Alzheimer's disease rates, according to certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann.
- Walking regularly contributes to slower cognitive decline, as indicated by studies suggesting a dose-dependent relationship between steps taken and reducing dementia risk.
