Mental wellbeing: Embracing Mediterranean diet, vigorous activities for potential defense
"Science is taking a fresh approach to battling dementia and cognitive decline!"
The fascinating fusion of the Mediterranean diet and regular exercise — specifically walking — is under investigation for its potential to minimize the risk of cognitive decline and various types of dementia, including Alzheimer's. This intriguing duo, nicknamed the "MedWalk" intervention, aims to fortify brain health!
Both the Mediterranean diet and walking have been previously associated with cognitive benefits, and this new study dives in to see if combining them can boost their effects even further. Researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the UK are leading this groundbreaking study, which was briefly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The research team aims to gauge the impact of the 12-month change in visual memory and learning for participants as the primary outcome. Furthermore, they're interested in observing changes in mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
This study — originally slated to run for two years — has adapted due to the pandemic, cutting the follow-up period to a single year. The scientists have expanded their participant pool to include older adults (60-90 years) across South Australia and Victoria, reaching out not only to independent living retirement communities but also to people within the larger community.
Special emphasis is being placed on examining biomarkers pertinent to cognitive decline, including glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress. Participants are randomly assigned to either the MedWalk group or a control group that maintains their regular diet and activity levels.
The MedWalk intervention involves a dietary modification plan, supervised walking, and psychosocial behavioral change techniques. Participants receive support for the first six months, with additional help available for the next six months, ensuring they stay on track. Instruction on the differences between the Mediterranean diet and a typical Australian diet is provided to help participants understand the concept.
Needless to say, we're keeping our fingers crossed for this captivating study! Researchers from the field, like certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann, and brain health coach Ryan Glatt, are optimistic about the potential benefits of the MedWalk approach for brain health.
Stay tuned for developments on this thrilling journey to combat cognitive decline and dementias!
- The Mediterranean diet and regular walking, collectively known as the "MedWalk" intervention, are being investigated for their potential to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and diverse types of dementia, including Alzheimer's, aiming to strengthen brain health.
- Scientists from Australia, New Zealand, and the UK are spearheading a groundbreaking study on the combined effects of the Mediterranean diet and walking, which was initially disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The primary outcome of the study focuses on the impact of a 12-month change in visual memory and learning for participants, while secondary outcomes include changes in mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and relevant biomarkers linked to cognitive decline.
- Amidst the pandemic, the study has been adapted, shortening the follow-up period to a single year and widening the participant pool to include older adults across South Australia and Victoria, reaching out to the larger community and independent living retirement communities.
- The study will focus particularly on examining biomarkers like glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress to understand their role in cognitive decline.
- Researchers have randomly assigned participants to either the MedWalk group or a control group maintaining their regular diet and activity levels for comparison purposes.
- The MedWalk intervention involves a customized dietary modification plan, supervised walking, and psychosocial behavioral change techniques, providing initial support for the first six months and additional assistance for the rest of the study to ensure participants adhere to the program.
- Experts like certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann and brain health coach Ryan Glatt are hopeful about the potential benefits of the MedWalk approach for brain health and are closely following the developments in 2023, as this captivating study continues its exploration of combating cognitive decline and dementias.
