Healthy Brain: Embracing Mediterranean Diet and Active Lifestyle for Protection
Going the Extra Mile Against Dementia
Researchers worldwide are stirring the pot, investigating the remarkable synergy between two ordinary endeavors - tucking into a Mediterranean feast and strolling the streets - and their extraordinary impact on cognitive health, particularly dementia. Dubbed the "MedWalk intervention", this study seeks to confirm the benefits of this unlikely pairing.
The MedWalk intervention is a revolutionary marriage of the Mediterranean diet and an active lifestyle involving walking, perked up by psychosocial change techniques to foster long-term commitment. Participants in the study range from sprightly seniors aged 60 to 90 who call South Australia or Victoria their homes.
With the pandemic putting a dent in plans, the researchers, hailing from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, are dusting off their masks and ramping up their efforts to press on with the groundbreaking study. The team has laid out their workings in theJournal of Alzheimer's Disease, making their progress accessible to their fellow scientists.
While the original study design aimed for a 2-year follow-up, modifications due to time and funds have necessitated trimming it down to a single year. Nevertheless, the researchers remain optimistic that the findings will be impactful, notwithstanding the condensed timeline.
The principal objective of the study is to measure a 12-month change in visual memory and learning capabilities for participants. But that's not all; the researchers are also keeping a keen eye on the intervention's impact on aspects such as mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
Mediterranean Magic Unearthed
A certified nutritionist,Conner Middelmann, specializing in the Mediterranean diet, gave Medical News Today a sneak peek into the potential benefits of the Mediterranean diet for our cognitive health. According to Middelmann, numerous studies indicate a link between the Mediterranean diet and a lower risk of dementia.
The diet's wonderful blend of antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and a host of other nutrients are believed to shield our brains from oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance - all culprits implicated in cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. The diet's emphasis on fish, whole grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and healthy fats - such as olive oil - could be the secret to keeping our minds sharp well into old age.
Additionally, socializing with loved ones during mealtimes and actively engaging in physical activities, like a gentle stroll, are component parts of the Mediterranean lifestyle that could be boosting our brains as well.
The Power of Walking
You've probably heard that sitting is the new smoking; well, walking is the antidote. Research suggests that adopting regular exercise habits, particularly walking, is linked to slower cognitive decline. One study found that knocking out 10,000 steps per day reduced the risk of dementia by half.
Walking possibly exerts its positive influence on our brains by increasing blood flow, enhancing mental activity, reducing stress, and bestowing a sense of well-being. In addition, engaging in engaging in social interactions and basking in nature's beauty while walking might further contribute to keeping our minds sharp.
As the world awaits the culmination of the MedWalk study, due for completion at the end of 2023, one thing is for sure - our lifestyle choices can significantly impact our cognitive health, and there's never been a better time to embrace vital habits for our long-term well-being!
- The MedWalk intervention, a combination of the Mediterranean diet and regular walking, is being studied for its potential benefits on cognitive health, particularly dementia.
- A certified nutritionist, Connor Middelmann, suggests that numerous studies link the Mediterranean diet to a lower risk of dementia, due to its high content of antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and other nutrients that can protect the brain from oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance.
- Regular exercise habits, particularly walking, are believed to be linked to slower cognitive decline, as they increase blood flow, enhance mental activity, reduce stress, and foster a sense of well-being.
- The MedWalk study, due for completion in late 2023, aims to measure the impact of the intervention on aspects such as visual memory and learning capabilities, mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
- Science continues to uncover the synergy between health-and-wellness practices like the Mediterranean diet and fitness-and-exercise, highlighting the importance of these habits for mental-health and overall cognitive function as we age.
- In addition to embracing a healthy-diet like the Mediterranean diet, it's essential to engage in social activities, socializing with loved ones during mealtimes, and regularly participating in physical activities like walking, to keep our brains healthy and sharp well into old age.
