Adequate Cognitive Functioning: Adopting a Mediterranean Diet and Leading an Active Lifestyle Could Potentially Offer Protection
Boosting brainpower has never been easier with the MedWalk intervention study! This groundbreaking research aims to discover whether following the MedWalk lifestyle—a blend of the Mediterranean diet and regular exercise, specifically walking—can lower the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
While the benefits of both a Med Diet and regular exercise have been acknowledged separately, this study strongly believes in their combined effect. The research, conducted by scientists hailing from Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, is currently ongoing, and despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, data on their procedures and analysis have been published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
Originally planned to run for 2 years, the study has adapted to the pandemic-induced challenges by reducing the follow-up period to 1 year. The research team is actively recruiting participants from independent living retirement communities in South Australia and Victoria, as well as the wider community, to ensure a diverse sample.
The primary focus of this study is to observe the 12-month change in visual memory and learning abilities of participants. They're also interested in examining the impact of MedWalk on mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness. Special attention is being paid to biomarkers associated with cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress.
Studies have long suggested that the Mediterranean diet is associated with fewer cases of dementia, while research from 2023 revealed a link between the diet and lower rates of Alzheimer's disease (the most common form of dementia). While Conner Middelmann, a certified nutritionist specializing in the Mediterranean diet, acknowledges that genetics, lifestyle, and overall health may influence dementia risk, she highlights the Mediterranean diet as a key aspect of a comprehensive approach to brain health and dementia prevention.
Similarly, walking regularly is connected to slowed cognitive decline. A study found that taking around 10,000 steps a day could lower the risk of dementia by 50%. Health coaches like Ryan Glatt from the Pacific Neuroscience Institute argue that walking can benefit brain health by increasing blood flow, stimulating brain activity, reducing stress, and offering social and natural benefits.
The data-collection period of the MedWalk study is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023. This study represents a significant stride in dementia and cognitive decline research, and we eagerly await the results!
- The MedWalk intervention study, investigating the combined effect of the Mediterranean diet and regular exercise on cognitive decline and dementia, has published its data in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
- The research, currently ongoing despite pandemic-induced challenges, is recruiting diverse participants from South Australia, Victoria, and the wider community to observe the impact of the MedWalk lifestyle on various health factors.
- The primary focus of MedWalk is to measure the 12-month change in visual memory and learning abilities, but also considers the effects on mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, arterial stiffness, and specific biomarkers associated with cognitive decline.
- Studies have suggested a link between the Mediterranean diet and fewer cases of dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia.
- Similar research has shown that regular walking, such as taking around 10,000 steps a day, could potentially lower the risk of dementia by 50%.
