Mental wellbeing: Following a Mediterranean diet and adopting an active lifestyle could potentially serve as protective measures.
A groundbreaking study titled "MedWalk: Combating Cognitive Decline and Dementia with a Lifestyle Shift" is currently underway to uncover the combined benefits of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking.
Researchers are eager to find out if adhering to the MedWalk lifestyle can help reduce the risk of cognitive impairments, including Alzheimer's disease. The study, planned to conclude by the end of 2023, has already seen interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Data on the research progress has been shared in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, updated to reflect the modified study design—a shift to a one-year follow-up period instead of the initial 2-year plan.
The MedWalk Lifestyle
The MedWalk intervention, a blend of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking, is being investigated for its potential to enhance brain health. This lifestyle change is backed by both individual components' proven links to cognitive benefits.
Participants, aged between 60-90 years, are recruited from retirement communities in South Australia and Victoria, Australia, with additional participants sourced from the broader community because of the pandemic.
Mediterranean Delicacies and Guidance
The study provides instructions on how a Mediterranean diet differs from a typical Australian diet, helping participants grasp the concept and adapt accordingly. In addition, participants receive free extra-virgin olive oil, a staple in a Mediterranean diet, as well as other essential foods.
Stepping towards a Healthier Brain
In this study, participants engaging in the MedWalk intervention walk in group settings for the first 6 months, followed by monthly sessions for the remainder of the year. The walking regimen is designed to promote cardiovascular health and arterial stiffness reduction, alongside improving mood, quality of life, and potentially lowering health costs.
Mediterranean Diet and Cognition
A specialist in Mediterranean diets, Conner Middelmann, confirmed to Medical News Today that earlier studies suggested a link between a Mediterranean diet and fewer cases of dementia. Other research, such as one in 2018 and another in 2023, found an association between a Mediterranean diet and lower rates of Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia.
However, Middelmann emphasizes that while these results suggest a connection between the Mediterranean diet and reduced dementia risk, multiple factors influence dementia risk. Thus, maintaining a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, is only one aspect of a holistic approach to brain health and dementia prevention.
The Power of Walking
Regular walking has been linked to slower cognitive decline. A study found a dose-dependent relationship between the number of steps taken and reduced dementia risk. Furthermore, a study on Americans and Australians discovered a link between walking speed and dementia, while a 2017 study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine concluded that aerobic exercise, such as walking, can strengthen cognitive impairment.
Walking may protect brain health through several means: increased brain blood flow, improved cognitive activity, reduced stress, and enhanced well-being. In addition, walking can incorporate social elements and exposure to nature, both of which may have additional cognitive benefits.
The current study will provide valuable insights into the combined benefits of the Mediterranean diet and regular walking for cognitive health. Stay tuned as we follow this fascinating research journey and uncover the exciting discoveries on the horizon!
- The study, titled "MedWalk: Combating Cognitive Decline and Dementia with a Lifestyle Shift," is currently evaluating the combined benefits of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking on brain health.
- Researchers aim to determine if adherence to the MedWalk lifestyle can decrease the risk of cognitive impairments, such as Alzheimer's disease.
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the study has had interruptions but continues with renewed enthusiasm, recruiting participants from retirement communities and the broader community.
- The MedWalk intervention, a combination of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking, is being investigated for its potential to enhance mental health and lower the risk of dementia and other cognitive impairments.
- The study provides guidance on how a Mediterranean diet differs from a typical Australian diet, and participants receive free essential foods, including extra-virgin olive oil, to help them adapt.
- In addition to the Mediterranean diet, participants in the study engage in a walking regimen designed to promote cardiovascular health, improve mood, quality of life, potentially lower health costs, and may contribute to the reduction of dementia risk.
