Healthy Brain: Adopting Mediterranean Diet and Active Lifestyle Might Offer Protection
Hey there! So, there's a study in progress called the "MedWalk intervention" that's aiming to discover if following a Mediterranean diet and walking regularly can lower the risk of dementia and cognitive decline, particularly Alzheimer's dementia. Here's an overview of what we know so far:
A Closer Look at the MedWalk Intervention
The MedWalk intervention is like a mix of a Mediterranean diet and a walking routine, and it's currently being studied to see if it can improve brain health and reduce the risk of dementia. Researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom are leading this ongoing study. Originally, it was designed to last for two years and assess cognitive function. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the follow-up period was reduced to one year, and more participants have been recruited.
The key focus of this study is a 12-month alteration in visual memory and learning for participants. The researchers are also interested in observing the intervention's impact on mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and biomarkers related to cognitive decline.
A Guardian of Brain Health
Experts believe following a Mediterranean diet and regular walking may contribute to brain health in various ways. For instance, the diet is rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, which can combat oxidative stress and inflammation - potential contributors to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. The diet is also high in fiber, which helps maintain a healthy gut microbiome, and low in processed grains and sugars, reducing the risk of insulin resistance and inflammation. Consuming ultra-processed foods, known to be linked to dementia, isn't encouraged in this diet.
Walking and the Brain
Regular walking is linked to slower cognitive decline, and studies have found that taking approximately 10,000 steps a day can lower the risk of dementia by up to half. Walking may improve brain health by increasing brain blood flow, benefiting levels of brain activity, reducing stress, and offering social and nature-related benefits.
Moving Forward
The data collection period for the MedWalk intervention study is set to end by the end of 2023. The preliminary findings indicate promising effects of the intervention, focusing on cognitive improvements and reductions in dementia risk factors. We'll be eagerly awaiting more information as the study continues!
If you're interested in more information about cognitive health interventions, let me know, and I'll gladly share additional data!
- The ongoing study, known as the "MedWalk intervention," combines a Mediterranean diet and a walking routine, aiming to lower the risk of dementia and cognitive decline, particularly Alzheimer's dementia.
- Researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom are leading the study, investigating the impact on visual memory and learning, mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and biomarkers related to cognitive decline.
- Experts suggest that following a Mediterranean diet and regular walking could contribute to brain health in various ways, such as combat oxidative stress and inflammation, maintain a healthy gut microbiome, and lower the risk of insulin resistance and inflammation.
- Studies have shown that regular walking, like taking approximately 10,000 steps a day, may lower the risk of dementia by up to half due to increased brain blood flow, improved brain activity, reduced stress, and social and nature-related benefits.
- As the data collection period for the MedWalk intervention study concludes by the end of 2023, preliminary findings point towards promising cognitive improvements and reductions in dementia risk factors.
- For those who wish to learn more about cognitive health interventions, further information and additional data are available for those interested.
