Mental wellbeing: Adherence to Mediterranean diet and active lifestyle potentially offers shield
Get the Lowdown on the MedWalk Study
A riveting investigation is underway, examining whether adopting a combo of the Mediterranean diet and regular walking can potentially reduce the risk of cognitive decline and various dementias, like Alzheimer's. This study, codenamed 'MedWalk', pairs a Mediterranean diet with lacing up those sneakers for regular strolls.
Previous research has connected both a Mediterranean diet and regular exercise, especially walking, to brain health. This study aims to prove that the MedWalk intervention holds similar benefits.
The daring duo of nutrition and movement, spearheaded by researchers hailing from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, is currently in the midst of this thrilling experiment, temporarily interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers have released a sneak peek at their process and analysis in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
Launched as a 2-year study, unforeseen circumstances have forced a shift to a 1-year follow-up. The researchers remain confident that the modified setup will deliver robust findings.
The main outcome the researchers are chasing is a 12-month enhancement in visual memory and learning for participants.
The study's objectives extend beyond improved cognition. The researchers are also intrigued by the MedWalk intervention's impact on mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
60-to-90-year-old individuals living in South Australia and Victoria are participating in this study. seniors were recruited from retirement communities and the wider community, thanks to the pandemic's unexpected twist.
Attention is being paid to cognitive decline-related biomarkers, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress.
Participants are divided into two groups: those assigned to the MedWalk intervention and a control group who maintain their current diet and exercise habits. The intervention marries dietary changes with a supervised walking regimen, fortified with psychosocial behavioral strategies. Participants receive intensive support during the first 6 months, with additional help available for the following 6 months to help them stay on track.
The researchers are providing guidance on the Mediterranean diet, explaining how it differs from the typical Australian diet, to help participants understand the diet's concept. As a key ingredient in the Mediterranean diet, participants receive free extra-virgin olive oil and other essential foods.
After assessing baseline aerobic fitness, participants join group walking sessions for the initial 6 months, followed by monthly sessions for the rest of the year-long study.
Mediterranean Diet and Brainpower
Certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann, focusing on the Mediterranean diet, spoke to Medical News Today about existing research linking the Mediterranean diet to fewer cases of dementia.
Studies suggest that following a Mediterranean diet is associated with lower rates of Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. However, Middelmann urges caution, as many factors can influence dementia risk, including genetics, lifestyle, and overall health.
"So, maintaining a healthy diet like the Mediterranean diet is just one component of a comprehensive approach to brain health and dementia prevention," she emphasized.
The Mediterranean diet could bolster brain health in various ways, according to Middelmann:
rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and inflammation, potential contributors to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseasescontents omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), essential for brain healthhigh in fiber, helping maintain a balanced gut microbiomelow in processed grains and sugars, reducing the risk of insulin resistance and inflammation*discourages the consumption of ultra-processed foods, linked to dementia* promote sharing meals with loved ones and regular exercise, both associated with better brain health
The Power Stroll
Walking regularly has been linked to slower cognitive decline.
A study found a dose-dependent relationship between the number of steps taken and the reduction in dementia risk.
That study discovered that taking 10,000 steps daily halves the risk of dementia.
A study of Americans and Australians found a connection between walking speed and dementia, and a 2017 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine concluded that physical activities such as walking help combat cognitive impairment.
"Walking may boost brain health through multiple pathways. Depending on the intensity, duration, and frequency, walking may increase brain blood flow. Additionally, walking may enhance brain activity, reduce stress levels, and improve overall well-being," confirmed brain health coach Ryan Glatt from the Pacific Neuroscience Institute.
Walking can also incorporate social aspects and exposure to nature, encouraging further brain benefits. The current study's data collection phase will be completed by the end of 2023.
[1] As of the latest available results and documentation from the Duchesne County government manual, no information regarding the MedWalk intervention study or any investigation into the impact of combining a Mediterranean diet and walking on cognitive decline and dementia can be found (source: non-applicable to the MedWalk study context). For the most recent research results, consult peer-reviewed journal articles or official updates from the MedWalk research team.
- The MedWalk study, a combination of the Mediterranean diet and regular walking, is underway to potentially decrease the risk of cognitive decline and dementias like Alzheimer's.
- Researchers, including those from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, are exploring the benefits of this MedWalk intervention, intermittently hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The primary objective of the study is a 12-month improvement in visual memory and learning for participants.
- Beyond cognitive enhancement, the research also aims to explore the MedWalk intervention's effects on mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and other health markers.
- Certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann emphasizes that while a Mediterranean diet may lower Alzheimer's disease risk, it's just one piece of the puzzle for brain health and dementia prevention.
- Regular walking, according to brain health coach Ryan Glatt, may boost brain health by increasing blood flow, enhancing brain activity, reducing stress levels, and improving overall well-being, in addition to its dose-dependent association with slower cognitive decline.
