Mental Wellness: Adopting Mediterranean diet and an active lifestyle potentially offers protective benefits
Swipin' towards brain health with the MedWalk study! Researchers are currently investigating how a combo of the Mediterranean diet and regular walks could help lower the risk of cognitive decline and dementias, like Alzheimer's. Let's dive into what this MedWalk intervention is all about!
The "MedWalk" tag teams a Mediterranean diet with regular strides, focusing on brain power. Earlier studies have shown that both factors are linked to better brain health, so researchers are excited to see whether the combo packs an extra punch. The study is being led by scientists from Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, with updates on their progress published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
Originally planned to span over two years, the study faced interruptions due to COVID-19. To keep things going, researchers have reduced the follow-up period to a single year, while also expanding their participant pool.
So, what's the primary focus for the researchers? They're interested in a 12-month change in visual memory and learning for participants. Beyond that, they're watching for improvements in mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
Participants in the study must be between 60 and 90 years old, hailing from independent living retirement communities in South Australia and Victoria. Due to the pandemic, they're also recruiting participants from the wider community.
The study groups participants into either the MedWalk intervention group or a control group maintaining their usual diet and activity level. The intervention includes dietary changes, a supervised walking regimen, and psychological support to help participants stick to the plan. During the first six months, participants receive intensive support; the support continues for another six months on a less frequent basis.
Australian certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann, specializing in the Mediterranean diet, shared her insights on the potential benefits of this diet for brain health. She pointed out that previous studies have linked the Mediterranean diet with fewer cases of dementia and lower rates of Alzheimer's disease. Although genetics, lifestyle, and overall health are factors that influence dementia risk, maintaining a balanced diet, like the Mediterranean diet, is a valuable component of a comprehensive approach to brain health and dementia prevention.
Walking regularly has also been associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline. A study found that taking 10,000 steps per day reduced the risk of dementia by 50%. It's thought that walking may increase blood flow to the brain, enhance brain activity, decrease stress, and boost feelings of well-being.
Brain health coach Ryan Glatt from the Pacific Neuroscience Institute discussed the potential benefits of walking on cognitive function. He explained that walking could potentially strengthen cognitive impairment by boosting blood flow to the brain, enhancing brain activity, reducing stress, and improving feelings of well-being. Additionally, walking can incorporate social elements and exposure to nature, both of which may contribute to brain health advantages.
By the end of 2023, the data-collection period for this study will wrap up, providing exciting insights into the impact of the MedWalk intervention on cognitive health. Stay tuned for more updates on this fascinating research!
Lifestyle modifications like the MedWalk intervention could be essential keys to reducing the risk of dementia and cognitive decline. It's a promising avenue that could revolutionize our approach to brain health and dementia prevention!
- The "MedWalk" initiative pairs a Mediterranean diet with regular walking, focusing on brain health improvements.
- Researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the UK are investigating if the combination of the Mediterranean diet and walking could lower dementia risks, like Alzheimer's.
- Initially planned for two years, the study's duration was shortened to a year due to COVID-19, and its participant pool was expanded.
- The study aims to examine a 12-month change in visual memory and learning for participants, as well as improvements in mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
- Participants must be between 60 and 90 years old, either from independent living retirement communities in South Australia and Victoria or the wider community due to the pandemic.
- Participants are divided into two groups: those following the MedWalk intervention and a control group maintaining their usual diet and activity levels.
- The intervention includes dietary changes, a supervised walking regimen, and psychological support to help participants adhere to the plan, with intensive support in the first six months and continued support for another six months on a lesser frequency.
- Experts in the field, such as Conner Middelmann and Ryan Glatt, believe that the MedWalk intervention holds promise for reducing dementia and cognitive decline risks, contributing to a comprehensive approach to brain health and dementia prevention by 2023.
