Health Coterie: Embracing Mediterranean Diet and Active Lifestyle Could Bolster Cognitive Health
Let's Dive into the MedWalk Intervention: The Brain-Boosting Duo
Researchers are on a roll, investigating the remarkable impact of the MedWalk combo on cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer's dementia. MedWalk is a catchy name for the synergistic duo of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking.
Previously, both components have been linked to brain health individually. Now, scientists are eager to uncover the combined benefits of the MedWalk intervention. The project, led by researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, is currently underway, though it has faced hurdles due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The authors of the study have shed light on their process and ongoing analysis in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
The MedWalk Intervention for Brain Power
Originally designed to track cognitive development over two years, the timing and financial impact of the pandemic led to some adjustments. The study's follow-up period has been reduced to a single year, and the research continues, with a wider range of participants recruited.
The primary purpose of the study is to measure a 12-month change in visual memory and learning among participants. However, researchers have broader interests, including observing the intervention's impact on mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
The participants in the study are individuals aged 60-90, who reside in South Australia and Victoria. Some came from independent living retirement communities, while others joined due to the pandemic's circumstances.
Special attention is paid to biomarkers associated with cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress.
Who's Walking (and Eating) the Talk?
Certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann, who specializes in the Mediterranean diet, discussed the study's significance with Medical News Today. Previous research indicated that following a Mediterranean diet was associated with fewer cases of dementia.
In fact, studies in 2021 and 2023 found a link between the Mediterranean diet and lower rates of Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. However, Middelmann emphasized that numerous factors influence dementia risk, including genetics, lifestyle, and overall health.
Thus, maintaining a balanced diet like the Mediterranean diet is one element of a comprehensive strategy for brain health and dementia prevention.
The Mediterranean diet may contribute to brain health in several ways:
- It is rich in antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress and inflammation, believed to be significant causes of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.
- The diet is high in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), crucial for brain health, and omega-3s have been linked to improved cognitive function and a lower risk of cognitive decline.
- The Mediterranean diet is fiber-rich, promoting a balanced gut microbiome.
- It minimizes processed grains, sugars, and ultra-processed foods, reducing the risk of insulin resistance and inflammation.
- Social meals and regular exercise, both encouraged by the Mediterranean diet, have been linked to brain health.
Lace Up Those Shoes: The Power of Walking
Regular walking is associated with slower cognitive decline. A 2021 study found a clear link between the number of steps taken and reducing the risk of dementia – those taking 10,000 steps a day halved the risk of dementia.
Moreover, research in the United States and Australia found a correlation between walking speed and dementia, while a 2017 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine concluded that aerobic exercise, such as walking, can strengthen cognitive impairment.
Brain health coach Ryan Glatt of the Pacific Neuroscience Institute explained that walking may enhance brain health in multiple ways:
- Walking increases brain blood flow, depending on the intensity, duration, and frequency of walking.
- It benefits brain activity levels and reduces feelings of stress while elevating feelings of well-being.
- Walking incorporates social elements and exposure to nature, both of which contribute to brain health.
The data-collection phase of the current study will conclude by the end of 2023. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting research!
- The MedWalk Intervention, comprising a Mediterranean diet and regular walking, is under investigation for its impact on cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer's dementia.
- The study's participants, aged 60-90, are following the MedWalk intervention while their cognitive development, mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and biomarkers associated with cognitive decline are monitored.
- Certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann emphasized that while the Mediterranean diet may reduce dementia risk, it is one element of a comprehensive strategy for brain health and dementia prevention, including maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and addressing lifestyle and genetic factors.
- Regular walking has been linked to slower cognitive decline, as demonstrated by studies showing a correlation between the number of steps taken and reduced risk of dementia.
- Brain health coach Ryan Glatt explained that walking increases brain blood flow, benefits brain activity levels, reduces stress, and incorporates social elements and exposure to nature, all of which contribute to brain health.
- By 2023, the data-collection phase of the current study will conclude, and updates on its exciting findings regarding the MedWalk Intervention for brain power and dementia prevention will be made available.
