Mental wellness: Adopting Mediterranean diet and active lifestyle could potentially ward off cognitive decline
In a groundbreaking study, researchers are investigating the combined effect of a Mediterranean diet and walking on dementia and cognitive decline. Shorthand for a diet rich in fruits, veggies, whole grains, and olives, coupled with regular exercise, this MedWalk intervention aims to lower the risk of cognitive decline and dementias, including Alzheimer's dementia.
Though separate research hints at both the Mediterranean diet and walking's benefits for brain health, the ongoing study in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK hope to uncover the combined impacts. The study has been modified due to COVID-19, now following participants for only a year instead of two, and expanding the participant pool.
The research's primary focus is the participants' 12-month change in visual memory and learning. Moreover, they're interested in the intervention's effects on mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness. Volunteers consist of 60-90-year-old individuals living in South Australia and Victoria, carefully selected from independent retirement communities.
The MedWalk group will follow a Mediterranean diet and supervised walking regimen, implementing psychosocial behavioral change techniques for support. The study seeks to determine whether this combination reduces the risk of dementia. Expect the research to wrap up by the end of 2023.
Certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann, not involved in the research, highlighted that previous studies have suggested a link between the Mediterranean diet and decreased dementia rates. Besides improving cognitive function and lowering the risk of cognitive decline, the diet may also combat oxidative stress and inflammation, maintain gut health, and limit processed foods, all of which are precursors to cognitive decline.
Likewise, researchers acknowledge that regular walking slows cognitive decline and offers additional brain benefits, such as increased blood flow, improved cognitive function, reduced stress, boosted well-being, and exposure to nature.
Stay tuned for the study's outcome; if successful, the results could encourage a powerful non-pharmacological approach to brain health. Essentially, the MedWalk intervention vows to protect cognitive well-being for older generations and potentially pave the way for personalized prevention strategies.
- The ongoing study in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK is examining the combined effects of a Mediterranean diet and walking on dementia and cognitive decline.
- This MedWalk intervention, which involves a diet rich in fruits, veggies, whole grains, and olives, coupled with regular exercise, aims to lower the risk of cognitive decline and dementias, including Alzheimer's dementia.
- The study, modified due to COVID-19, is now following participants for only a year instead of two, and has expanded the participant pool.
- The research's primary focus is the participants' 12-month change in visual memory and learning, but also includes the intervention's effects on mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
- Volunteers consist of 60-90-year-old individuals living in South Australia and Victoria, carefully selected from independent retirement communities.
- The MedWalk group will follow a Mediterranean diet and supervised walking regimen, implementing psychosocial behavioral change techniques for support.
- In 2023, expect the research to wrap up, potentially revealing whether this combination reduces the risk of dementia.
- Certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann has suggested that previous studies have linked the Mediterranean diet with decreased dementia rates, and that it may combat oxidative stress and inflammation, maintain gut health, and limit processed foods, all of which are precursors to cognitive decline.
