Protecting Brain Health: Adoption of Mediterranean Diet and Active Lifestyle May Offer Defense
Pumped-Up Brain Power: Squeezing the Potential of the Mediterranean Diet and Walking
Get ready to boost your brainpower with the MedWalk intervention, a duo of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking, promising to keep your grey matter sharp and dementia at bay. Here's what you need to know about this exciting new study.
MedWalk: A Game-Changer for Dementia Prevention
Researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom are on a mission to discover whether the MedWalk intervention can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and various types of dementia, including Alzheimer's.
You might recognize this combination from their individual benefits to brain health, but this study seeks to confirm the benefits of kicking both habits up a notch. The study, disrupted but not defeated by the COVID-19 pandemic, is still in progress and the authors have published updates about their processes and ongoing analysis in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
Visual Memory on the Line
The primary outcome of interest for the study's authors is a 12-month change in visual memory and learning among participants. Additionally, they'll be observing the intervention's effects on factors such as mood, quality of life, and even cardiovascular health.
Getting Steppy with the Med
The study will recruit participants who are 60-90 years old and live in South Australia or Victoria, with some recruits coming from independent living retirement communities and others from the larger community. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the study has been modified to have a follow-up period of just one year, rather than the originally planned two.
Putting the Med in MedWalk
Participants will be assigned to either the MedWalk intervention group or a control group maintaining their usual diet and activity level. The intervention itself is a blend of dietary modifications, supervised walking sessions, and intensive behavioral change techniques. Participants will receive support during the first six months, with additional help available for the following six months.
To help the participants grasp the concept behind the Mediterranean diet, the researchers will provide material and resources explaining the differences between traditional Australian diets and the Med diet.
Why the Med Diet is a Brain Powerhouse
Certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann, not involved in the study, shared insights on the Mediterranean diet's potential to keep your brain sharp. Studies have shown that following the Med diet is linked to lower rates of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's.
However, Middelmann cautions that while these studies suggest a connection, many factors influence dementia risk, such as genetics, lifestyle, and overall health. Essentially, a Mediterranean diet is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to brain health.
Pedestrian Power
Walking regularly is also associated with slower cognitive decline. A study found that taking 10,000 steps per day reduced the risk of dementia by a whopping 50%. More exercises, like walking, have also shown a link with cognitive improvement, and a 2017 study suggested that aerobic activities like walking can mitigate cognitive impairment.
The Future of Cognitive Health
The study's data collection period is set to wrap up by the end of 2023. With the potential for improved brain health, reduced cognitive decline, and a lower dementia risk, the MedWalk intervention could be the next step in taking charge of your cognitive health.
- The MedWalk intervention, a combination of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking, aims to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and various types of dementia, including Alzheimer's.
- The study's authors are primarily interested in the 12-month change in visual memory and learning among participants, but they will also observe the intervention's effects on factors such as mood, quality of life, and cardiovascular health.
- Participants aged 60-90 from South Australia or Victoria will be recruited for the study, with some coming from independent living retirement communities and others from the larger community.
- The MedWalk intervention includes dietary modifications, supervised walking sessions, and intensive behavioral change techniques, with participants receiving support during the first six months and additional help available for the following six months.
- Certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann has highlighted the Mediterranean diet's potential to keep the brain sharp, stating that following this diet is linked to lower rates of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's, but emphasizing that various factors influence dementia risk.
- Regular walking is associated with slower cognitive decline, as shown by studies indicating that taking 10,000 steps per day can reduce the risk of dementia by 50%, while more exercises, like walking, have also shown a link with cognitive improvement.
