Preserving Brain Health: Adopting Mediterranean Diet and Regular Exercise as Safeguards
Investigating the Potential Synergistic Effect of Mediterranean Diet and Walking on Cognitive Decline
Researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom are currently conducting a study to determine whether a combination of the Mediterranean diet and regular walking can lower the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. This study, known as the MedWalk intervention, is already underway with an anticipated completion by the end of 2023.
The MedWalk intervention aims to explore the combined benefits of a Mediterranean diet and regular physical activity, particularly walking, for cognitive health. Previous research has linked both elements to brain health, but this study seeks to confirm their combined effect. The participants in the study are older adults aged 60 to 90 from South Australia and Victoria, with recruitment extending to the larger community due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The primary focus of the study is a 12-month change in visual memory and learning for participants. The researchers are also interested in observing the intervention's impact on mood, quality of life, and health costs. Furthermore, they will consider its effects on cardiovascular health and arterial stiffness.
Participants are assigned to either the MedWalk intervention group or a control group maintaining their usual diet and activity level. The intervention combines dietary modification with a supervised walking regimen, bolstered by psychosocial behavioral change techniques. Participants receive intensive support for the first six months, followed by additional assistance for the following six months.
Researchers are also monitoring biomarkers associated with cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress. Special attention is paid to free extra-virgin olive oil and other key Mediterranean diet foods for participants.
While the study was originally designed to assess cognition over a two-year period, it has been modified to a single-year follow-up due to the pandemic. Despite the altered timeline, the authors feel the modified study offers sufficiently robust findings.
Conner Middelmann, a certified nutritionist specializing in the Mediterranean diet and not involved in the current study, observed to Medical News Today that studies suggest a link between the Mediterranean diet and a reduced risk of dementia. This association has been found in multiple studies, such as one published in 2021 and another in 2023.
However, Middelmann emphasized that various factors, such as genetics, lifestyle, and overall health, can influence dementia risk. She advised that maintaining a healthy diet like the Mediterranean diet is just one aspect of a comprehensive approach to brain health and dementia prevention.
A Mediterranean diet may contribute to brain health by combating oxidative stress and inflammation, improving cognitive function, maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, and reducing the risk of chronic conditions and dementia. Sharing meals with family and friends and regular exercise are other aspects of the Mediterranean diet that have been associated with improved brain health.
Similarly, regular walking has been found to slow cognitive decline. A study found a dose-dependent relationship between the number of steps taken and reducing the risk of dementia, with 10,000 steps per day lowering the risk by 50%. Other research has linked walking speed to dementia, and aerobic exercise like walking has been shown to strengthen cognitive impairment. Walking may improve brain health by increasing blood flow, benefiting levels of brain activity, and reducing stress.
- The MedWalk intervention examines the combined benefits of a Mediterranean diet and regular physical activity, particularly walking, for cognitive health.
- Researchers are investigating whether a combination of the Mediterranean diet and regular walking can lower the risk of cognitive decline, dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, and other neurological disorders.
- The study by Australian, New Zealand, and UK researchers involves older adults aged 60 to 90, with the recruitment extended to the community due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The research focuses on a 12-month change in visual memory and learning for participants, along with the effects on mood, quality of life, and health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
- Conner Middelmann, a nutritionist, observed that studies suggest a link between the Mediterranean diet and a reduced risk of dementia, as shown in multiple studies in 2021 and 2023.
- Walking has been found to slow cognitive decline, and a study indicated that taking 10,000 steps per day lowers the risk of dementia by 50%.
- Regular walking may improve brain health by increasing blood flow, benefiting brain activity levels, and reducing stress, similar to other aspects of the Mediterranean diet like sharing meals and maintaining a healthy diet.
