Mental Sharpness Preservation: Adopting Mediterranean Diet and Regular Exercise could potentialy offer protective benefits
Here's a laid-back, engaging, and informative take on the original article:
The MedWalk Intervention: Combo of Med Diet and Walking for Brain Power
Scientists are exploring whether a lifestyle tweak called the MedWalk intervention could reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer's. MedWalk is like a tasty Mediterranean diet served with a side of lively walking. Here's a lowdown on this exciting study.
Preliminary research has linked both Mediterranean diets and regular walking to brain health, and this study aims to validate the benefits of the MedWalk lifestyle. Fun fact? The study is a collaboration between research teams from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, who've been hard at work, even through the pandemic.
Authors of the study have been keeping the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease updated on their methods and findings. Originally designed to track brain health over a 2-year period, the current shape of the study is a leaner, more agile one-year follow-up. They've enlisted a broader range of participants from South Australia and Victoria to be part of this adventure.
The researchers are laser-focused on a key outcome – a 12-month change in visual memory and learning for the participants. But they're also curious about how the MedWalk lifestyle impacts other aspects of life, including mood, quality of life, health costs, and cardiovascular health.
A Closer Look at MedWalk and Cognitive Health
This innovative initiative combines dietary modification along with supervised walking, plus psychological support to help participants stick with the plan. The first six months require intensive handholding, with assistance available for the following six months to keep the momentum going.
Associate Professor Tom Riley, leading the project, is famously calm about the study's reduced follow-up duration: "[We've] realigned the research question, and we believe that it will still provide sufficiently strong findings," he told Medical News Today.
The Mediterranean Diet Connection
The Mediterranean diet is chock-full of antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress and inflammation, thought to be major contributors to cognitive problems and neurodegenerative diseases. Plus, it's stocked with omega-3 fatty acids, Omega-3-6, and fiber, all linked to brain health.
Certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann, not involved in the study, weighed in on the diet: "Mediterranean diet studies suggest a link between the diet and a lower risk of dementia, but it's important to keep in mind that genetics, lifestyle, and overall health contribute to dementia risk."
The Power of Walking
Walking has been shown in studies to slow cognitive decline. Research has even suggested that taking 10,000 steps a day could slash dementia risk by half, mind-boggling stuff, right?
"Walking may boost brain health on multiple fronts. It might enhance brain blood flow, as well as diminish feelings of stress while elevating overall well-being," explains brain health coach Ryan Glatt, who wasn't involved in the study.
The Future of the MedWalk Intervention
Researchers aim to complete data collection by the end of 2023. Stay tuned for more insights on this game-changing lifestyle approach to dementia prevention!
- The MedWalk intervention, a combination of a Mediterranean diet and walking, is being studied to potentially reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer's.
- The study, a collaboration between research teams from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, is focused on the impact of the MedWalk lifestyle on brain health, mood, quality of life, health costs, and cardiovascular health.
- The MedWalk initiative includes dietary modification, supervised walking, and psychological support to assist participants in adhering to the plan.
- In the study, researchers are primarily interested in a 12-month change in visual memory and learning for the participants.
- The Mediterranean diet, rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, Omega-3-6, and fiber, is linked to brain health and a lower risk of dementia, but other factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and overall health also play significant roles.
- Walking has been shown to slow cognitive decline, potentially by enhancing brain blood flow and reducing stress while improving overall well-being.
- Researchers aim to complete data collection for the MedWalk intervention study by the end of 2023, and further insights into this innovative approach to dementia prevention are anticipated.
