Maintaining Cognitive Function: Mediterranean Diet and Active Lifestyle as Potential Protective Factors
Research on a Combination of the Mediterranean Diet and Walking for Cognitive Health
An ongoing study titled "MedWalk intervention" is aiming to determine if a blend of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking can lower the risk of cognitive decline and various types of dementia. This investigation, spearheaded by researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, is scheduled to conclude by the year's end, with an initial hope for a 2-year follow-up period that was cut to 1 year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fundamental goal of this study is to observe a 12-month change in visual memory and learning capabilities among participants. Additionally, researchers seek to investigate the intervention's impact on various aspects such as mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and biomarkers associated with cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress.
Participants for the study are 60-to-90-year-old individuals from South Australia and Victoria, mainly sourced from independent living retirement communities, though some were recruited from the general public due to the pandemic.
In the MedWalk intervention, participants are assigned to either a group following the dietary modification and supervised walking regimen or a control group maintaining their usual diet and activity level. This combined MedWalk intervention involves intensive support for the initial 6 months, followed by additional assistance for the following 6 months to help participants stay committed.
Researchers explain the Mediterranean diet's key differences from a typical Australian diet, providing extra-virgin olive oil and other essential foods to improve participant understanding. Participants participate in group walking sessions during the first 6 months, followed by monthly sessions for the rest of the test period. After assessing the baseline aerobic fitness levels, participants engage in these activities under supervision.
Past research has linked both the Mediterranean diet and regular walking to brain health. Connor Middelmann, a certified nutritionist specializing in Mediterranean diets, emphasizes the correlation between diet and dementia risk. Although the Mediterranean diet is not a cure for dementia, it is considered an important aspect of a comprehensive approach to brain health and dementia prevention.
By fighting oxidative stress and inflammation, contributing to brain health with omega-3 fatty acids and various nutrients, maintaining a balanced gut microbiome, reducing the risk of insulin resistance and inflammation, and discouraging the consumption of ultra-processed foods, the Mediterranean diet is believed to offer numerous cognitive benefits. Furthermore, sharing meals with loved ones and regular exercise, key components of the Mediterranean lifestyle, are also associated with improved brain health.
Walking regularly has also been linked to slower cognitive decline, as outlined in research showing a dose-dependent relationship between the number of steps taken daily and reduced dementia risk. By increasing blood flow to the brain, boosting brain activity, reducing stress, and incorporating social and natural elements, regular exercise such as walking may contribute to brain health.
Therefore, integrating a Mediterranean diet with regular walking could potentially offer enhanced cognitive benefits compared to either factor alone, making the ongoing "MedWalk intervention" a valuable study in the field of cognitive health research.
- The ongoing research titled "MedWalk intervention" is exploring a combination of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking as a potential means to lower the risk of cognitive decline and various types of dementia.
- The study is being conducted by researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, aiming to observe a 12-month change in visual memory and learning capabilities among participants.
- Participants for the study are 60-to-90-year-old individuals from South Australia and Victoria, primarily sourced from independent living retirement communities, with some recruited from the general public due to the pandemic.
- In the MedWalk intervention, participants are assigned to either a group following a dietary modification and supervised walking regimen or a control group maintaining their usual diet and activity level.
- Connected to brain health, Connor Middelmann, a certified nutritionist specializing in Mediterranean diets, underlines the correlation between diet and dementia risk and considers the Mediterranean diet an important aspect of a comprehensive approach to brain health and dementia prevention.
- Research indicates that walking regularly may contribute to brain health by increasing blood flow to the brain, boosting brain activity, reducing stress, and incorporating social and natural elements, among other benefits.
