Healthy Cognition: Adopting Mediterranean Diet and Active Lifestyle Could Offer Protection
A cutting-edge study, named the "MedWalk intervention," is looking into the joint impact of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking on the risk of dementia and cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's dementia. This investigation was conducted by scientists from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, and is ongoing, although it faced interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The MedWalk intervention consists of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking, bolstered by psychosocial behavioral change techniques. Participants were assigned to either the intervention group or a control group that maintained their standard diet and activity level.
The primary outcome of the study is a 12-month change in visual memory and learning for participants. Additional areas of interest include mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness. The study selected 60-to-90-year-old individuals living in South Australia and Victoria, with extra participants recruited from the larger community due to the pandemic.
Researchers are especially attentive to biomarkers associated with cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress. Participants engage in group walking sessions for the first 6 months, followed by monthly sessions for the remainder of the test year. After an initial assessment of baseline aerobic fitness, participants receive free extra-virgin olive oil, a staple of the Mediterranean diet, and other supporting foods.
Certified nutritionist, Conner Middelmann, stated that studies have suggested a link between the Mediterranean diet and a reduced risk of dementia, although it's essential to remember various factors can influence dementia risk. The Mediterranean diet may benefit cognitive health through several mechanisms, including its rich antioxidant content, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber-rich foods, low processing, and discouragement of ultra-processed foods.
Regular walking is associated with slower cognitive decline, according to available research. "Walking may improve brain health in one or more ways. Walking may increase brain blood flow, boost brain activity, reduce stress, and improve feelings of well-being," said brain health coach Ryan Glatt. The MedWalk intervention study's data-collection period will be completed by the end of 2023.
- The MedWalk intervention, focusing on a Mediterranean diet and regular walking, is employing psychosocial behavioral change techniques to investigate its impact on dementia and cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's dementia.
- Researchers are primarily interested in a 12-month change in visual memory and learning for participants, but also have keen focus on areas such as mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
- In this ongoing study, a group of individuals aged 60 to 90, living in South Australia and Victoria, were assigned to either the MedWalk intervention group or a control group.
- Scientists have selected biomarkers associated with cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress, to monitor during the study, while participants engage in group walking sessions for the first 6 months, followed by monthly sessions for the rest of the year.
- Certified nutritionist, Conner Middelmann, suggests that studies link the Mediterranean diet to a potential reduced risk of dementia, although various factors can influence dementia's onset.
- Brain health coaches, like Ryan Glatt, affirm that regular walking may contribute to slower cognitive decline by increasing brain blood flow, boosting brain activity, reducing stress, and improving feelings of well-being.
