Preserving Brain Health: A Combination of Mediterranean Diet and Regular Exercise Could Be Protective
A fascinating research project is currently underway, delving into the potential benefits of a combination known as the "MedWalk" intervention for cognitive health and dementia prevention. This combination entails adhering to a Mediterranean diet and partaking in regular walking exercises.
Even though both the Mediterranean diet and routine walking have demonstrated links to brain health, this study seeks to establish the combined effect of this intervention. Researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the UK are conducting this ongoing study, which had been temporarily halted by the COVID-19 pandemic but is now returning to full speed.
Having published insights on the study's methodologies and ongoing analysis in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, the researchers aim to observe the impact of the MedWalk intervention on various aspects, including visual memory and learning, mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and specific biomarkers associated with cognitive decline.
The participants, aged 60 to 90, hail primarily from independent living retirement communities in South Australia and Victoria, with an expansion into the larger community due to pandemic restrictions. Specific focus is being paid to markers like glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrient levels, and oxidative stress.
Participants are randomly assigned to either the MedWalk intervention group or a control group, with the intervention encompassing dietary modifications, supervised walking sessions, and psychosocial behavioral change techniques.
Supportive evidence for the MedWalk intervention comes from previous research suggesting associations between the Mediterranean diet, lower dementia cases, and decreased Alzheimer's disease risk. Proponents argue that the diet may bolster brain health through antioxidants combating oxidative stress, omega-3 fatty acids crucial for brain function, a balanced gut microbiome, reduced risk of insulin resistance and inflammation, and the discouragement of ultra-processed foods linked to dementia.
Similarly, walking regularly has been connected to slower cognitive decline, with one study finding a 50% decrease in dementia risk for those taking 10,000 steps per day. Regular exercise may increase brain blood flow, boost levels of brain activity, and reduce stress while promoting feelings of well-being.
It's worth noting, however, that a holistic approach to brain health and dementia prevention is essential, considering multiple factors like genetics, lifestyle, and overall health can influence the risk of cognitive decline.
As the study's data-collection period is set to conclude by the end of 2023, we eagerly await the findings of this intriguing joint diet and exercise intervention for cognitive health.
- This fascinating research project, currently underway, is exploring the combined effect of a MedWalk intervention, a combination of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking exercises, on cognitive health and dementia prevention.
- In this study, participants, aged 60 to 90, are primarily from independent living retirement communities in South Australia and Victoria, with some expansion into the larger community due to pandemic restrictions.
- Researchers are paying specific focus to biomarkers related to cognitive decline such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrient levels, and oxidative stress.
- The MedWalk intervention encompasses dietary modifications, supervised walking sessions, and psychosocial behavioral change techniques, and its supporters argue that the diet may bolster brain health through various mechanisms.
- Previous research has suggested associations between the Mediterranean diet and lower dementia cases, a decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease, and benefits such as reduced inflammation, a balanced gut microbiome, increased antioxidant activity, and more.
- Regular exercise, including walking, has been connected to slower cognitive decline, with one study showing a 50% decrease in dementia risk for those taking 10,000 steps per day, potentially due to increased brain blood flow, lower stress, and boosted levels of brain activity.
