Maintaining Brain Health: Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Regular Physical Activity Potentially Offers Protection
Revised Article:
Title: Unraveling the Cognitive Boost: MedWalk Intervention and Dementia Prevention
Let's dig into the details:
A groundbreaking study named "MedWalk Intervention: Combining the Power of Mediterranean Diet and Walking for Brain Health" delves into the impact of a unique lifestyle intervention for dementia and cognitive decline prevention.
The grand aim? To discover if merging a Mediterranean diet with regular walking could significantly lower the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer's.
Conducted by an international team of researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, this study explores the combined potential of two well-known brain health promoters—the Mediterranean diet and daily walking. The investigation was temporarily halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic but remains vibrant and ongoing.
The researchers have been publishing insights on their processes and ongoing analysis in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
New wrinkles: With the pandemic's financial and timing implications, the study was modified to focus on a year-long follow-up, enrolling a larger spread of participants. Despite the twist, the researchers remain optimistic about the study's progressive findings.
What tickles the researchers' fancy? The primary interest lies in observing the impact of the intervention on visual memory and learning in participants over a 12-month period. They are also keen to observe improvements in a range of areas, such as mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
The study's 60-to-90-year-old participants hail from independent living retirement communities in South Australia and Victoria, with some new recruits joining from the surrounding community thanks to the pandemic.
The researchers pay special attention to biomarkers associated with cognitive decline, like glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrient balance, and oxidative stress.
Participants are assigned to either the MedWalk intervention group or a control group that carries on with their usual diet and activity levels.
The MedWalk intervention: This unique blend of lifestyle changes involves dietary modifications paired with a supervised walking regimen, bolstered by psychosocial behavioral change techniques. The first 6 months demand intensive support, with additional aid available for the following 6 months to keep everyone on track.
The researchers guide participants on the differences between a Mediterranean diet and a typical Australian diet to foster a better understanding of their eating pattern. They even provide free extra-virgin olive oil—a Mediterranean diet staple—and other essential foods to further support their journey.
After an initial baseline aerobic fitness assessment, participants join group walking sessions for the first 6 months, followed by monthly sessions for the rest of the test period.
Mediterranean diet and cognition
Conner Middelmann, a certified nutritionist specializing in Mediterranean diets, points out that the Mediterranean diet may reduce dementia risk based on research findings. For instance, studies from 2015 and 2023 have linked a Mediterranean diet with lower rates of Alzheimer's, the most prevalent form of dementia.
However, Middelmann emphasizes that several factors can impact dementia risk, such as genetics, lifestyle, and overall health. So, maintaining a healthy diet, like the Mediterranean diet, is just one piece of the puzzle in the quest for brain health and dementia prevention.
The walking factor
Walking regularly has also been associated with slower cognitive decline. A study discovered a dose-dependent relationship between the number of steps taken and dementia risk reduction, with taking 10,000 steps a day reportedly cutting the risk by 50%.
A U.S.-Australia study found links between walking speed and dementia, while a 2017 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine concluded that aerobic exercise like walking can strengthen cognitive impairment.
Ryan Glatt, a brain health coach from the Pacific Neuroscience Institute, explains that walking may improve brain health by increasing blood flow, boosting brain activity, reducing stress, and fostering feelings of well-being. It possibly incorporates social elements and exposure to nature, further benefiting cognitive health.
The study's data collection is set to conclude by the end of 2023. Get ready to reap the rewards of this comprehensive research on dementia and cognitive decline prevention—the MedWalk intervention. The findings could revolutionize our understanding of brain health and lead to powerful lifestyle interventions for millions worldwide.
- The MedWalk Intervention, an innovative approach that combines the Mediterranean diet and regular walking, aims to lower the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, such as Alzheimer's, as discussed in the groundbreaking study titled "MedWalk Intervention: Combining the Power of Mediterranean Diet and Walking for Brain Health."
- By merging two well-known brain health promoters—the Mediterranean diet and daily walking—researchers hope to discover significant reductions in dementia risk, as the study delves deeper into their combined potential.
- An international team of researchers, including those from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, are monitoring the impact of the MedWalk Intervention on various aspects of the participants' health, such as visual memory, learning, mood, quality of life, cardiovascular health, and mental health.
- Conner Middelmann, a certified nutritionist specializing in Mediterranean diets, highlights the potential of the Mediterranean diet in reducing dementia risk, as supported by numerous studies, including those from 2015 and 2023.
- In addition to its effects on cognitive health, regular walking has also been linked to slower cognitive decline, with studies revealing a dose-dependent relationship between the number of steps taken and dementia risk reduction.
- Ryan Glatt, a brain health coach from the Pacific Neuroscience Institute, explains that walking could improve brain health by increasing blood flow, boosting brain activity, reducing stress, and fostering feelings of well-being, while potentially incorporating social elements and exposure to nature for additional cognitive benefits.
