Mental wellbeing: Adhering to Mediterranean diet and leading an active lifestyle could offer protection
Swiping Through Brain Health: The MedWalk Study
Are you ready to pave the way to a smarter you? A groundbreaking study called MedWalk could be the key. It's the unique fusion of a Mediterranean diet and walking, two powerful components known for their role in maintaining brain health.
Researchers from across the globe - Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom - are behind this innovative study, which aims to establish whether following the MedWalk intervention can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementias, such as Alzheimer's.
Although the original plan was to follow participants for two years, the COVID-19 pandemic forced some changes. Now, the study is focused on a single year, with an expanded participant count.
The researchers are interested in finding out whether the MedWalk intervention can yield a 12-month change in visual memory and learning for participants. But that's not all – they're also keeping an eye on other aspects, such as mood, quality of life, and health costs, as well as cardiovascular health and arterial stiffness.
So, what's theMenu for the Mediterranean diet? It mainly focuses on wholesome grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and olive oil, with moderate intakes of dairy, fish, and poultry. Regular walking is the side dish to this brain-boosting meal.
Certified nutritionist and Mediterranean diet specialist, Conner Middelmann, shares her insight: "Studies suggest a link between the Mediterranean diet and a reduced risk of dementia. However, remember that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for comprehensive brain health."
Walking might protect cognition in a couple of ways. A 2023 study found that taking 10,000 steps a day could lower the risk of dementia by 50%. Regular walks might also improve brain blood flow, boost brain activity, reduce stress, and even incorporate social and natural elements – all factors that contribute to better brain health.
Brain health coach Ryan Glatt from the Pacific Neuroscience Institute chimes in, "Walking strengthens cognitive impairment and may reduce overall stress while improving feelings of well-being."
Curious about the future of MedWalk? Long-term studies are necessary to evaluate the sustained impact of these interventions on cognitive health. Discovering the underlying biological mechanisms will further illuminate how diet and exercise work together to support cognitive processes.
Stay tuned for more updates! The data collection for the MedWalk study will conclude by the end of 2023. In the meantime, let's lace up our shoes and take a walk to a smarter future!
- The MedWalk study, a fusion of a Mediterranean diet and walking, aims to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementias, including Alzheimer's, in participants.
- Researchers are investigating a possible 12-month change in visual memory and learning for the study participants, as well as mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and overall brain health.
- A Mediterranean diet mainly consists of wholesome grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and olive oil, with moderate intakes of dairy, fish, and poultry, while regular walking is encouraged for additional brain benefits.
- Studies suggest a link between the Mediterranean diet and a reduced risk of dementia, but a comprehensive approach to brain health involves maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
- Walking may protect cognition by lowering the risk of dementia, improving brain blood flow, boosting brain activity, reducing stress, and incorporating social and natural elements, all contributing to better mental health.
- Long-term studies are needed to evaluate the sustained impact of the MedWalk intervention on cognitive health and further understand the underlying biological mechanisms that support cognitive processes through diet and exercise.
