Maintaining Brain Health: Adopting Mediterranean Diet and Regular Exercise Could Offer Protection
Going the Extra Mile on Brain Health:
Researchers are on a mission to uncover if combining the Mediterranean diet and regular walking could potentially reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementias, such as Alzheimer's. They're calling this innovative approach the "MedWalk" intervention.
Previous research has hinted at both a Mediterranean diet and walking as positive contributors to brain health. This new study aims to cement the benefits of the MedWalk intervention.
A collaboration between researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, the study was initially designed to track cognitive changes over two years but has been modified due to the pandemic. The follow-up period has been reduced to a single year, with a larger participant pool being recruited.
The researchers are particularly interested in observing a 12-month change in visual memory and learning in participants. They're also keeping an eye on the intervention's impact on mood, quality of life, cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and overall health costs.
Participants are aged between 60 and 90 and live in South Australia or Victoria. The study initially focused on independent living retirement communities, but due to the pandemic, they've also recruited from the wider community.
Key focus areas include biomarkers associated with cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress.
Participants have been assigned to either the MedWalk intervention group or a control group with no specific dietary or exercise requirements. The MedWalk intervention involves dietary modifications, a supervised walking regimen, and psychosocial behavioral techniques for support. Participants receive intensive assistance for the first 6 months, with additional support for the following 6 months.
To help participants understand the underlying concept, researchers provide instruction on how the Mediterranean diet differs from a typical Australian diet. As essential components of the Mediterranean diet, participants receive free extra-virgin olive oil and other foods.
After an assessment of baseline aerobic fitness, participants engage in group walking sessions for the first 6 months, followed by monthly sessions for the remainder of the test year.
Certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann, who specializes in the Mediterranean diet and isn't involved in the current study, mentioned that studies have shown a link between the Mediterranean diet and a reduced risk of dementia. However, she cautions that various factors can influence dementia risk, and a healthy diet is just one aspect of a comprehensive approach to brain health and dementia prevention.
A Mediterranean diet may support brain health by combating oxidative stress and inflammation, improving cognitive function, maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, reducing the risk of insulin resistance and inflammation, and encouraging social interactions and regular exercise.
Regular walking has also been associated with slower cognitive decline, reduced risk of dementia, improved brain blood flow, and overall stress reduction. It may also provide the added benefits of social interaction and exposure to nature.
The data-collection period for the MedWalk study will be completed by the end of 2023. With its potential to develop lifestyle programs for dementia prevention, the study could have significant physical, social, and economic benefits. By understanding how diet and exercise influence cognitive health, the MedWalk study could provide crucial insights into non-pharmacological strategies for maintaining brain function in older age.
MedWalk Intervention Study Highlights:- Explores the combined effects of the Mediterranean diet and regular walking on cognitive decline, dementia, and other aspects of brain health- Aimed at older adults in South Australia and Victoria, initially from independent living retirement communities but expanded due to the pandemic- Participants assigned to either the MedWalk intervention or a control group, with the intervention containing dietary modifications, supervised walking, and psychosocial behavioral techniques- Studying various outcomes, such as memory, mood, stress, fitness, and overall health costs, in addition to cognitive measures- The study seeks to determine the impact of the combined intervention on biomarkers associated with cognitive decline, like glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress- The MedWalk study holds significant potential for developing lifestyle programs to prevent dementia and could provide valuable insights into non-pharmacological strategies for maintaining brain function in older age.
- The MedWalk intervention, a combination of the Mediterranean diet and regular walking, is under investigation to potentially decrease the risk of cognitive decline and dementias, including Alzheimer's.
- Scientists are keen to verify the benefits of the MedWalk intervention, which they believe could cement its role in brain health.
- The MedWalk study, initially designed for a two-year follow-up, has been modified due to the pandemic, resulting in a reduced follow-up period of a single year and an increased participant pool.
- Participants, aged between 60 and 90, are being observed for a 12-month change in visual memory and learning, as well as the intervention's impact on mood, quality of life, cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and overall health costs.
- Researchers are particularly interested in the effects of the MedWalk intervention on biomarkers linked to cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress.
- A certified nutritionist suggested that studies have indicated a link between the Mediterranean diet and a reduced risk of dementia, but cautioned that various factors contribute to dementia risk, and a healthy diet is just one aspect of a comprehensive approach to brain health and dementia prevention.
