Protecting Brain Health: Mediterranean Diet and Active Lifestyle as Potential Defense
Let's dive into the future of brain health:
A groundbreaking study is currently underway, exploring the potential impact of the MedWalk intervention on cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease. MedWalk stands for a Mediterranean diet and walking regimen, combining these two powerhouses of brain health to see what magic they can work together.
Although individual studies have pointed to both a Mediterranean diet and regular walking as beneficial for brain health, this research aims to confirm their combined benefits. The project, spearheaded by scientists hailing from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, has faced hiccups due to the COVID-19 pandemic but is pressing ahead undeterred.
The study's central question revolves around visual memory and learning changes over a 12-month period for participants.
However, that's just the beginning. Researchers are eager to discover the MedWalk intervention's effects on various aspects of health, such as mood, quality of life, and health costs. In addition, they're keeping an eye on cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and particular biomarkers associated with cognitive decline, like glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress.
The participants in the study are aged 60-90, hailing from South Australia and Victoria. They were recruited from independent living retirement communities, but the pandemic's impacts forced the team to reach out to the wider community as well. While the study's original design called for a 2-year follow-up period, the pandemic's financial ramifications and timing forced a reduction to a single year, though the research remains ongoing with a broadened participant pool.
Let's break down the MedWalk intervention:
- Dietary Modifications: The MedWalk intervention encourages adopting the Mediterranean diet, which differs from the typical Australian diet in key ways. To help participants understand, researchers provide resources like extra-virgin olive oil.
- Walking Program: Participants participate in group walking sessions for the first six months, followed by monthly sessions for the remainder of the test year.
- Psychosocial support: The intervention offers participants intensive support for the first six months, with additional help available for the following six months to help them maintain their new habits.
But why MedWalk? Here are four potential reasons:
- Antioxidants: The Mediterranean diet is rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and inflammation, thought to contribute to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: This diet contains omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vital for brain health. Omega-3s have been linked to boosted cognitive function and lower cognitive decline risk.
- Gut health: A Mediterranean diet promotes fiber, helping maintain a balanced gut microbiome.
- Reduced risk of dementia: By lowering the intake of processed grains, sugars, and ultra-processed foods, the diet lessens the risk of insulin resistance, inflammation, and dementia.
Regular walking has also been linked to slower cognitive decline. Researchers have found a connection between walking speed and dementia. Walking may improve brain health by increasing blood flow, boosting brain activity, decreasing stress, and enhancing well-being. Plus, it provides social opportunities and exposure to nature.
The data-collection period for this study will be wrapping up by the end of 2023. Its findings have the potential to reshape our understanding of the role lifestyle modifications can play in maintaining brain health and possibly reducing the risk of dementia. So stay tuned!
- The MedWalk intervention, a combination of a Mediterranean diet and walking, is currently being studied to understand its impact on cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease.
- While individual studies suggest that both components are beneficial for brain health, this research aims to confirm the combined benefits over a 12-month period.
- The study is being conducted by scientists from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, and focuses on visual memory and learning changes in participants aged 60-90.
- In addition to monitoring cognitive effects, the study also examines the intervention's influence on mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and specific biomarkers associated with cognitive decline.
- The MedWalk intervention includes dietary modifications, group walking sessions, and psychosocial support. The Mediterranean diet is chosen for its rich sources of antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber, which contribute to brain health and reduced risk of dementia.
- Regular walking has also been linked to slower cognitive decline, improving brain health by increasing blood flow, boosting brain activity, decreasing stress, and enhancing overall well-being.
