Maintaining Brain Health: Adopting the Mediterranean Diet and Leading an Active Lifestyle as Potential Protective Measures
Let's Chat About the MedWalk Intervention for Cognitive Health
A fascinating investigation is underway to determine if a lifestyle intervention known as "MedWalk" can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer's. MedWalk is simply a combination of the Mediterranean diet and regular walking.
This study, carried out by researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, was initially designed to follow participants for 2 years. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they've had to adjust the study length to 1 year, with a broader range of participants now involved.
The primary focus of this study is a 12-month change in visual memory and learning for participants.
Apart from observing the MedWalk's impact on memory and learning, the researchers are also interested in understanding its effects on mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
The participants are 60 to 90-year-old individuals living in South Australia and Victoria, primarily drawn from independent living retirement communities. Some participants have been recruited due to the pandemic from the larger community.
The researchers are taking special notice of biomarkers related to cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress.
Participants are divided into two groups: the MedWalk intervention group and a control group maintaining their usual diet and activity level. The MedWalk intervention consists of a combination of dietary modification and a supervised walking regimen, paired with psychosocial behavioral change techniques. Participants receive intensive support for the first 6 months, with additional help available for the following 6 months.
Interestingly, reviews by certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann suggest that following a Mediterranean diet was associated with fewer cases of dementia in previous studies. Additionally, studies in 2023 found an association between the Mediterranean diet and a lower rate of Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia.
However, it's essential to remember that genetics, lifestyle, and overall health are all factors that can influence dementia risk. Middelmann emphasizes that maintaining a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, is just one aspect of a comprehensive approach to brain health and dementia prevention.
As for walking, research indicates that it may slow cognitive decline, with a study finding that taking 10,000 steps a day lowered the risk of dementia by 50%. Walking may improve brain health by increasing brain blood flow, benefiting brain activity, and reducing stress while improving feelings of well-being. It can also incorporate social elements and exposure to nature, both believed to have additional cognitive benefits.
The current study's data collection is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023.
Enrichment Data:The MedWalk intervention's potential benefits for cognitive health are supported by recent research. A study found that higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a 28% lower risk of death from Alzheimer's disease and 31% lower odds of mild cognitive impairment compared to lower adherence. This diet also showed stronger associations than other healthy eating patterns such as the MIND diet, healthy eating index, and plant-based diets. Although physical activity, including walking, was considered in these analyses, specific results on the combination of Mediterranean diet and walking are not yet publicly detailed. Lifestyle factors, including diet and exercise, contribute to dementia risk mitigation but are part of a broader picture as access to healthy lifestyles varies, and other genetic or environmental factors influence dementia outcomes. The ongoing study aims to provide robust findings on the MedWalk intervention's potential benefits for cognitive health.
- The primary focus of the study on MedWalk intervention is a 12-month change in visual memory and learning for participants.
- Apart from observing the MedWalk's impact on memory and learning, researchers are also interested in understanding its effects on mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
- The MedWalk intervention consists of a combination of dietary modification (specifically, the Mediterranean diet) and a supervised walking regimen, paired with psychosocial behavioral change techniques.
- Reviews by certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann suggest that following a Mediterranean diet was associated with fewer cases of dementia in previous studies, and studies in 2023 found an association between the Mediterranean diet and a lower rate of Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia.
- Research indicates that walking may slow cognitive decline, with a study finding that taking 10,000 steps a day lowered the risk of dementia by 50%.
- The MedWalk intervention's potential benefits for cognitive health are supported by recent research, such as a study finding that higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a 28% lower risk of death from Alzheimer's disease and 31% lower odds of mild cognitive impairment compared to lower adherence.
