Mental Sharpness: Adhering to Mediterranean Diet and Active Lifestyle Could Offer Protective benefits
Researchers have kicked off an intriguing study, dubbed the "MedWalk intervention," to determine whether walking and following a Mediterranean diet could potentially shove back the onset of dementia and cognitive decline. This manipulation has been linked to brain health, and the MedWalk study aims to find if the combined approach amps up the effects.
Here comes the delicious deets
The study, spearheaded by scientists from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, seeks to discover whether engaging in the MedWalk routine can lower the odds of developing cognitive decline and types of dementia, like Alzheimer's dementia.
Originally designed to last two years, the study was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the interruption, researchers remain committed to the project, publishing a progress report in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. To keep the investigation going, they extended the duration to one year and expanded the participant pool.
Visual memory and learning are the researchers' primary focus, as they investigate how these aspects develop over the year-long period. Furthermore, they're interested in exploring other key areas, such as mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
Older adults from South Australia and Victoria are recruited for the study, mostly from independent living retirement communities and, due to the pandemic, from the wider community as well. Specific attention is given to biomarkers like glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress, which have been associated with cognitive decline.
The MedWalk intervention essentially blends dietary modifications with a supervised walking regimen, armed with psychosocial behavioral change techniques. Participants receive strong support for the initial six months and can access additional assistance for the following six months to stay committed to the plan.
Revamping your diet, one olive oil bath at a time
Certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann, specializing in the Mediterranean diet, shared some fascinating insights with Medical News Today regarding studies linking the Med diet to lower dementia risk. While the research suggests a link, Middelmann cautions that genetics, lifestyle, and overall health also play significant roles in dementia development.
According to Middelmann, a Mediterranean diet may preserve brain health by combating oxidative stress and inflammation, improving cognitive function, maintaining a balanced gut microbiome, reducing the risk of insulin resistance, and cutting down on processed food consumption.
Socializing during meals and regular exercise are other aspects of the Mediterranean lifestyle that have been linked to improved brain health.
Walk like an Egyptian: The dementia-preventing power of shanks
Regular exercise, particularly walking, has been connected with slower cognitive decline.
A study declared that taking 10,000 steps a day could potentially slash the risk of dementia in half. Researchers with the Pacific Neuroscience Institute speculate that walking boosts brain health by increasing blood flow, benefiting brain activity, reducing stress, and incorporating social and environmental elements.
Can’t catch a break or a breakthrough
There's only so much we can tell you about the MedWalk study since official results aren't out yet. However, if you'd like updates or want to know more about similar studies, I can help you stay informed! On the hunt for a brain-boosting lifestyle change? Swipe left on the latest junk food trends and give the MedWalk intervention a spin. Put your sneakers on and tango with twice-baked pasta, because this Mediterranean-meets-walking fusion could be your ticket to a more mindful, healthier future. Don't sleep on it - be a part of the MedWalk revolution!
- The MedWalk study, an investigation into the potential benefits of walking and following a Mediterranean diet, aims to determine if these approaches can delay the onset of dementia and cognitive decline, with a specific focus on Alzheimer's dementia.
- Originally planned for two years, the MedWalk study was extended due to pandemic disruptions and expanded its participant pool to continue its progress, focusing on aspects like visual memory, learning, mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
- Researchers believe that the Mediterranean diet, with its focus on gardening, strong social connections, and regular exercise like walking, may help preserve brain health by combating oxidative stress, boosting cognitive function, maintaining a balanced gut microbiome, reducing insulin resistance, and minimizing processed food consumption.
- Certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann suggests that a regular walking routine, emphasized in the MedWalk intervention, could potentially halve the risk of dementia due to its impact on blood flow, brain activity, stress reduction, and environment and social engagement.
- The MedWalk intervention, a blend of dietary modifications and supervised walking, arm-wrestles with psychosocial behavioral change techniques to empower participants with support during the initial six months and optional assistance for the next six months.
- To stay informed about the MedWalk study and other brain-boosting lifestyle approaches, one can follow updates and explore health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, and healthy-diets resources, joining a movement towards a more mindful, healthier future.
