Maintaining mental acuity: Adopting a Mediterranean diet and leading an active lifestyle could offer protection
A groundbreaking study, set to conclude by the end of 2023, is delving into the powerful synergies of the Mediterranean diet and regular exercise, specifically walking, in regards to cognitive decline and dementia prevention.
Known as the "MedWalk intervention," this study aims to establish whether a combination of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking decreases the risk of dementias, including Alzheimer's dementia.
While earlier studies have linked both a Mediterranean diet and walking to improved brain health, this research seeks to solidify the benefits of this dual endeavor.
Conducted by scientists hailing from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, the study was initially planned to observe cognitive changes over a 2-year period, but the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic necessitated cutting the follow-up period to a single year. Despite the setback, the research group remains confident in their data's strength.
The study's primary focus is tracking a 12-month change in visual memory and learning among participants. In addition, they are interested in examining how the intervention affects mood, quality of life, and health costs as well as cardiovascular health and arterial stiffness.
Participants are 60-90-year-olds residing in the Australian states of South Australia and Victoria. The research team recruits participants from both independent living retirement communities and, due to the pandemic, from the broader community as well.
In analyzing biomarkers connected to cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress, the researchers will monitor intervention effects closely.
Participants are assigned to either the MedWalk intervention group or a control group maintaining their standard diet and activity levels. The MedWalk intervention combines dietary modifications with a supervised walking regimen and reinforces strategic behavioral changes.
To help participants comprehend the Mediterranean diet principles, researchers offer insights into the diet's differences from typical Australian eating habits, free olive oil, and other suitable foods. After measuring baseline aerobic fitness, participants attend group walking sessions for the first 6 months, followed by monthly sessions for the remainder of the study period.
CERTIFIED nutritionist Conner Middelmann, who specializes in the Mediterranean diet and has no ties to the study, spoke with Medical News Today about his perspectives on the relationship between the Mediterranean diet and dementia risk. Middelmann explained that existing research associate following a Mediterranean diet with a lower occurrence of dementia. However, he emphasizes that while these studies suggest a link, numerous factors contribute to dementia risk, including genetics, lifestyle, and overall health.
The Mediterranean diet may improve brain health through various channels: combating oxidative stress and inflammation, offering essential omega-3 fatty acids, maintaining a balanced gut microbiome, decreasing the risk of insulin resistance, and lessening the intake of ultra-processed foods connected to dementia. Moreover, social meals and exercise are additional aspects of the Mediterranean diet associated with cognitive health benefits.
Walking, on the other hand, is also known to slow cognitive decline. Research shows a dose-dependent relationship between the number of steps taken and reduced dementia risk, with taking 10,000 steps a day lowering the chance of dementia by 50%. Studies have also discovered a relationship between walking speed and dementia, and a 2017 study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine concluded that aerobic exercise, such as walking, can strengthen cognitive impairment.
Ryan Glatt, a brain health coach from the Pacific Neuroscience Institute who is not involved in this study, explained that walking may strengthen cognitive health through increased brain blood flow, improved brain activity, stress reduction, and boosted feelings of well-being. Furthermore, walking often incorporates social elements and exposure to nature, both of which may also provide cognitive benefits.
- The MedWalk intervention, a joint study by scientists from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, is investigating the combined effects of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking on the prevention of dementias, including Alzheimer's dementia.
- The research aims to establish whether the dual endeavor of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking decreases the risk of dementias, while monitoring changes in visual memory and learning, mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
- The study, which is set to conclude by the end of 2023, initially planned to observe cognitive changes over a 2-year period but had to cut the follow-up period to a single year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Participants include 60-90-year-olds residing in the Australian states of South Australia and Victoria, recruited from independent living retirement communities and the broader community due to the pandemic.
- In examining biomarkers connected to cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress, the researchers will closely monitor the intervention's effects.
- The MedWalk intervention involves dietary modifications, a supervised walking regimen, and reinforces strategic behavioral changes, with participants attending group walking sessions for the first 6 months, followed by monthly sessions for the remainder of the study period.
