Protective effects of Mediterranean diet and active living on cognitive health
Revised Article:
shaking things up a bit, let's dive into a fascinating study that combines two popular lifestyle habits - following a Mediterranean diet and regular walking - to combat cognitive decline and dementia. Here's the lowdown on this intriguing research.
The MedWalk Intervention:
The study, coined the "MedWalk intervention," is a unique blend of the Mediterranean diet and walking, two practices known for their positive effects on brain health. But this research aims to uncover the combined force of these two lifestyle choices in slowing cognitive decline and preventing dementia.
The research team, comprising professionals from Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, is currently in the throes of this ongoing study, which was somewhat hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the pandemic slowed things down, the researchers have shared their processes and ongoing analysis in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, giving us a glimpse into their work.
The Study's Focus:
Initially designed to track cognitive changes over two years, the study now follows participants for a single year, thanks to the pandemic. Despite this shift, the researchers believe the revised timeline will produce substantial findings.
The primary focus of the study is a 12-month change in visual memory and learning for participants. But the researchers are also keen to observe other aspects, such as mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
Who's Involved:
The participants in the study are 60-90-year-old individuals living in South Australia and Victoria, Australia. They were recruited from various sources, including independent living retirement communities and, thanks to the pandemic, the wider Australian community.
The researchers are paying close attention to biomarkers linked to cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress.
The MedWalk Approach:
Participants are split into two groups - the MedWalk intervention group and a control group that maintains their regular diet and activity levels. The MedWalk intervention combines dietary modifications with a supervised walking regimen, bolstered by psychosocial behavioral techniques.
For the first 6 months, participants receive intensive support, with additional assistance available for the following 6 months to help them stick to the program. The researchers provide guidance on the Mediterranean diet and offer free extra-virgin olive oil, a key component of the diet, as well as other foods.
After assessing each participant's baseline aerobic fitness, they engage in group walking sessions for the first 6 months, followed by monthly sessions for the remainder of the study year.
Is the MedWalk Intervention Effective?
Certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann, who specializes in the Mediterranean diet, praised the potential benefits of this lifestyle intervention. Studies have suggested that following a Mediterranean diet is linked to fewer cases of dementia. Furthermore, other studies indicate an association between the Mediterranean diet and lower rates of Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia.
However, Middelmann stressed that while these studies imply a link between the Mediterranean diet and a reduced risk of dementia, multiple factors can influence dementia risk, such as genetics, lifestyle, and overall health. Therefore, maintaining a healthy diet like the Mediterranean diet is just one aspect of a broader approach to brain health and dementia prevention, she stated.
Walking regularly is similarly associated with slower cognitive decline. A study established a dose-dependent relationship between the number of steps taken and the reduced risk of dementia, with a 10,000-step daily routine lowering the risk by half. Another study found a link between walking speed and dementia, while a 2017 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that aerobic exercise, such as walking, can lessen cognitive impairment.
Brain health coach Ryan Glatt from the Pacific Neuroscience Institute expounded on the potential brain benefits of walking, stating that it may increase brain blood flow, boost cognitive function, reduce stress, and enhance feelings of well-being. Walking could also incorporate social and natural elements that offer their own brain benefits, he added.
The study's data collection period is set to conclude in late 2023, and we'll have to wait for the results to know if the MedWalk intervention is a promising lifestyle choice for brain health!
- This intriguing research, known as the "MedWalk intervention," combines the Mediterranean diet and regular walking, two practices linked to better brain health, to combat cognitive decline and dementia.
- The study's participating professionals, hailing from Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, believe that the combined force of these two lifestyle choices could slow cognitive decline and prevent dementia.
- Despite the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the study's progress, the researchers anticipate substantial findings from the 1-year follow-up study, initially intended to track changes over 2 years.
- The primary focus of the MedWalk intervention is a 12-month change in visual memory and learning for participants, but researchers aim to observe other aspects such as mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
- Participants, aged 60-90, follow a Mediterranean diet and a supervised walking regimen, bolstered by psychosocial behavioral techniques, with intensive support for the first 6 months and additional assistance thereafter.
- While the MedWalk intervention holds potential benefits for brain health, certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann emphasizes that maintaining a healthy diet like the Mediterranean diet is just one aspect of a broader approach to brain health and dementia prevention, which also includes factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and overall health.
