Preserving Brain Health: A Combination of Mediterranean Diet and Active Lifestyle Offers Potential Protection
Study Assesses Combined Effect of Mediterranean Diet and Walking on Dementia and Cognitive Decline
Researchers are exploring whether a lifestyle intervention dubbed "MedWalk" can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementias, including Alzheimer's disease. This study, currently underway, combines elements of a Mediterranean diet and regular walking.
Previous research has linked both a Mediterranean diet and regular exercise, such as walking, to improved brain health. The study aims to confirm the benefits of this combined MedWalk intervention.
Originally designed to last two years, the study was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and has been modified to follow participants for just one year. Despite the condensed timeline, the researchers believe the revised design will produce significant findings.
The primary focus of the study is a 12-month change in visual memory and learning among participants. Additionally, the researchers are interested in observing the effects of the intervention on mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
Participants for the study are 60- to 90-year-olds living in South Australia and Victoria, Australia. Initially, participants were recruited from independent living retirement communities. However, due to the pandemic, the team has expanded recruitment to include individuals from the larger community as well.
Special attention will be paid to biomarkers associated with cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress. Participants have been assigned to either a MedWalk intervention group or a control group maintaining their usual diet and activity level.
The MedWalk intervention involves dietary modification, a supervised walking regimen, and psychosocial behavioral change techniques. Participants receive intensive support for the first six months, with additional help remaining available for the next six months to aid in maintaining the lifestyle changes.
Researchers will provide instruction on the Mediterranean diet to help participants understand the concept. Participants will receive extra-virgin olive oil and other foods essential to the diet. After assessing baseline aerobic fitness, participants will engage in group walking sessions for the first six months, followed by monthly sessions for the remaining period of the study.
Certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann, an expert in the Mediterranean diet not involved in the current study, told Medical News Today that previous studies suggest following this diet is associated with fewer cases of dementia. Additionally, other research has found links between a Mediterranean diet and lower rates of Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia.
However, Middelmann cautioned that while these studies indicate a link between the Mediterranean diet and reduced dementia risk, numerous factors can influence dementia risk, including genetics, lifestyle, and overall health. Middelmann emphasized that maintaining a healthy diet like the Mediterranean diet is one aspect of a comprehensive approach to brain health and dementia prevention.
Regular walking is also associated with slower cognitive decline. A study found a dose-dependent relationship between the number of steps taken and reducing the risk of dementia, with taking 10,000 steps a day lowering the risk by 50%.
Brain health coach Ryan Glatt, from the Pacific Neuroscience Institute and not involved in the current study, explained that walking may improve brain health in one or more ways, such as increasing brain blood flow, benefiting levels of brain activity, reducing feelings of stress, and improving feelings of wellbeing. Walking can also incorporate social elements and exposure to nature, both of which may have additional brain benefits.
The data-collection period for the current study is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023.
- Researchers are investigating a lifestyle intervention called "MedWalk", which combines a Mediterranean diet and regular walking, to potentially reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementias, including Alzheimer's disease.
- The study is interested in observing the 12-month change in visual memory and learning among participants, as well as the effects of the MedWalk intervention on mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and biomarkers associated with cognitive decline.
- Participants for the study are older adults living in South Australia and Victoria, Australia, initially recruited from independent living retirement communities, but now including individuals from the larger community due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The MedWalk intervention includes dietary modification, a supervised walking regimen, and psychosocial behavioral change techniques, with participants receiving intensive support for the first six months and additional help for the next six months to aid in maintaining lifestyle changes.
- Previous research has linked both the Mediterranean diet and regular exercise, such as walking, to improved brain health, and following the Mediterranean diet has been suggested to be associated with fewer cases of dementia.
- Regular walking is also associated with slower cognitive decline, with studies finding a dose-dependent relationship between the number of steps taken and reducing the risk of dementia, with taking 10,000 steps a day lowering the risk by 50%.
