Maintaining Cognitive Wellness: Adopting the Mediterranean Diet and an Active Lifestyle Could Offer Protective Benefits
A groundbreaking study is investigating the combined impact of following a Mediterranean diet and regular walking on dementia and cognitive decline. Dubbed the "MedWalk intervention," researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the UK aim to determine whether this lifestyle combination can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementias, including Alzheimer's.
Although previous research has linked both Mediterranean diets and regular walking to brain health, this study seeks to confirm the potential benefits of the MedWalk intervention. The study, initially scheduled to run for two years, has been modified due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with follow-up period reduced to a single year.
The primary outcome of interest for the researchers is a 12-month change in visual memory and learning for participants. In addition, the research team is examining the intervention's effects on mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
Participants in the study consist of individuals aged 60 to 90 living in the two Australian states of South Australia and Victoria. They were recruited from independent living retirement communities and the wider community due to pandemic-related issues. Special attention is being given to biomarkers associated with cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress.
Participants were divided into two groups: a MedWalk intervention group that follows a Mediterranean diet and a supervised walking regimen and a control group that maintains their usual diet and activity level. The intervention includes dietary modification, supervised walking, and psychosocial behavioral change techniques, with participants receiving initial intensive support for six months and ongoing assistance during the following six months.
The Mediterranean diet differs significantly from a typical Australian diet, with provisions such as extra-virgin olive oil made available to participants. Participants also attend group walking sessions for the first six months, followed by monthly sessions for the remainder of the study year.
Certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann highlights that a Mediterranean diet is previously associated with fewer cases of dementia. Other studies have found links between the Mediterranean diet and lower rates of Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. However, Middelmann stresses that a multifactorial approach to brain health and dementia prevention is crucial, as various factors, including genetics, lifestyle, and overall health, influence dementia risk.
Regular walking is also tied to slower cognitive decline, with research indicating a dose-dependent relationship between the number of steps taken and reduced dementia risk. A study found that taking 10,000 steps a day lowered the risk of dementia by 50%. Walking is believed to improve brain health by increasing blood flow, reducing feelings of stress, promoting overall well-being, and potentially enhancing levels of brain activity.
The data-collection period for the MedWalk study is scheduled to complete by the end of 2023. Findings from this study could inform public health strategies aimed at maintaining cognitive health and preventing dementia through accessible and sustainable lifestyle interventions.
- The MedWalk intervention, a combination of following a Mediterranean diet and regular walking, is being studied to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementias like Alzheimer's.
- This study aims to confirm the potential benefits of the MedWalk intervention, as previous research has linked both Mediterranean diets and regular walking to brain health.
- Despite the initial two-year schedule, the study's follow-up period has been reduced to a single year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Participants in the study, aged 60 to 90, are divided into two groups: one that follows the MedWalk intervention and another that maintains their usual diet and activity level.
- The MedWalk intervention includes dietary modification, supervised walking, and psychosocial behavioral change techniques, with participants receiving support for a year.
- According to certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann, a Mediterranean diet is associated with fewer cases of dementia, and regular walking is linked to slower cognitive decline, with 10,000 steps a day lowering the risk of dementia by 50%.
