Preserving Brain Function: Adhering to Mediterranean Diet and Active Lifestyle Could Offer Protection
Researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom are conducting a study to assess the impact of a "MedWalk" intervention on cognitive decline and dementias. MedWalk is a combination of the Mediterranean diet and regular walking.
Media coverage suggests that both the Mediterranean diet and regular walking have been associated with better brain health. However, this study aims to explore the combined effects of these activities.
The research has been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic but is ongoing, with scientists recruiting more participants to account for the shorter study period.
The study's primary outcome of interest is a 12-month change in visual memory and learning for participants. The researchers are also interested in observing the effect of the MedWalk intervention on mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and biomarkers associated with cognitive decline.
Participants are 60-90-year-olds living in the Australian states of South and Victoria. The intervention consists of dietary modification, supervised walking, and psychosocial behavioral change techniques, with participants receiving support for the first 6 months, and additional help for the following 6 months to maintain their progress.
Studies have shown that following a Mediterranean diet may lower the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Although these studies suggest a link, it's important to remember that other factors like genetics, lifestyle, and overall health can influence dementia risk.
Regular walking is also associated with slower cognitive decline. A 20XX study found that taking 10,000 steps a day can lower the risk of dementia by 50%. Walking is believed to improve brain health by increasing blood flow, benefiting brain activity, reducing stress, and incorporating social and natural elements.
The study is expected to be completed by the end of 2023. If you're keen on learning more about the study's findings, you can keep an eye out for academic publications or research reports related to the MedWalk intervention study.
- The current study, focused on the MedWalk intervention, attempts to ascertain its influence on cognitive decline and dementias, considering both the Mediterranean diet and regular walking as key components.
- Scientists believe that the combined effects of the Mediterranean diet and physical activity, such as walking, could potentially contribute to improved mental health, quality of life, and brain health, beyond what each activity may offer individually.
- In an attempt to maintain the original study period, researchers are actively recruiting additional participants from South and Victoria, Australia, to compensate for the pandemic-related delays.
- This extensive study assesses the 12-month change in visual memory and learning, mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and biomarkers associated with cognitive decline in participants.
- The Mediterranean diet, with its potential to lower the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, is under investigation in several studies; however, other factors like genetics, lifestyle, and overall health play vital roles in influencing dementia risk.
- Regular walking, incorporated into a health-and-wellness routine, has been linked to slower cognitive decline. A 20XX study revealed that walking 10,000 steps a day could potentially diminish the risk of dementia by 50%, due to its positive impact on blood flow, brain activity, stress reduction, and social engagement.
