Mental Sharpness Preservation: Adopting Mediterranean Diet, Regular Activity potential safeguards
Let's get down to the nitty-gritty of this MedWalk study buzzing around the scientific community! Researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom are currently digging deep into the combined effects of a Mediterranean diet and walking on dementia and cognitive decline. This badass study, known as MedWalk, aims to assess the potential of this combined lifestyle intervention to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementias, including Alzheimer's.
The ongoing study, slightly delayed due to the pandemic, promises some exciting findings by the end of 2023. Participants aged 60 to 90 from the Australian states of South Australia and Victoria are part of this trial, recruited from independent living retirement communities and, thanks to the pandemic, the broader community as well.
These lucky participants are either assigned to a control group maintaining their usual diet and activity level or the MedWalk intervention group, which entails both dietary modification and a supervised walking regimen, fortified with psychosocial behavioral change techniques. The MedWalk group gets about 6 months of intensive support to nail down the new lifestyle changes, followed by an additional 6 months of lighter support to ensure they stay on track.
The researchers are particularly keen on observing the 12-month change in visual memory and learning for participants, as well as the study's effects on a range of areas, including mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
But whyz the fuss about a Mediterranean diet and walking, you ask? Well, previous research has suggested that following a Mediterranean diet and regular walking are associated with brain health. Tuck in for some fascinating insights!
Certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann highlights that studies have found a link between the Mediterranean diet and fewer cases of dementia. Additionally, other studies point to an association between the diet and lower rates of Alzheimer's disease, the most common type of dementia. So, making the Mediterranean diet a part of your life is like donning a brain-boosting cape!
As for walking, it's been associated with slower cognitive decline. Research suggests that taking 10,000 steps daily can slash your risk of dementia by half! Walking has also been linked to improved brain function, reduced stress levels, and better feelings of well-being. Damn!
Brain health coach Ryan Glatt sums it up, explaining that walking may strengthen cognitive impairment through increased brain blood flow, improved brain activity, reduced stress, and beneficial social and nature exposure.
So, here's to the MedWalk study, on a mission to shed light on the combined power of a Mediterranean diet and walking for keeping dementia at bay. Stay tuned for the exciting results in 2023! Keep walking, keep eating those healthy treats, and refuse to succumb to cognitive decline!
- The ongoing MedWalk study, which delves into the combined effects of a Mediterranean diet and walking on dementia and cognitive decline, is currently being conducted by researchers fromAustralia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
- The study aims to assess the potential of this combined lifestyle intervention to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementias, including Alzheimer's.
- Participants aged 60 to 90 from the Australian states of South Australia and Victoria are part of this trial, recruited from independent living retirement communities and the broader community due to the pandemic.
- Certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann highlights that studies have found a link between the Mediterranean diet and fewer cases of dementia, and other studies point to an association between the diet and lower rates of Alzheimer's disease, the most common type of dementia.
- Walking, on the other hand, has been associated with slower cognitive decline, and research suggests that taking 10,000 steps daily can slash your risk of dementia by half.
- Brain health coach Ryan Glatt explains that walking may strengthen cognitive impairment through increased brain blood flow, improved brain activity, reduced stress, and beneficial social and nature exposure.
