Improved Brain Health: Adopting the Mediterranean Diet and Regular Exercise as Preventative Measures
Updating the Mediterranean Diet Studies: MedWalk Intervention and Cognitive Health investigates the combined effect
Hey there! Ever pondered the impact of a Mediterranean diet paired with daily walks on brain health? Well, scientists are conducting an exciting study called MedWalk Intervention to find out!
The MedWalk Intervention combines a Mediterranean diet and walking regimen to see if it can lower the risk or slow down cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's dementia. Researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the UK are leading the study.
Initially set to run for two years, the ongoing study was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers published their processes and ongoing analysis in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. Though, they had to reduce the follow-up period to a single year to carry it on.
The central focus of the study is a 12-month change in visual memory and learning among participants. Researchers are also interested in observing the intervention's effect on mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
Participants are 60-90-year-olds living in South Australia and Victoria. They were recruited from independent living retirement communities as well as the larger community, due to the pandemic. A significant focus is given to biomarkers associated with cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress.
Participants are divided into two groups: the MedWalk intervention group and a control group maintaining their usual diet and activity level. The intervention covers dietary modifications, supervised walking, and psychosocial behavioral change techniques, with intensive support for the first 6 months, followed by additional assistance for the next 6. To help participants follow the Mediterranean diet, researchers offer guidance on the unique differences between this eating style and a typical Australian diet.
So what's the deal with a Mediterranean diet? Certified nutritionist Conner Middelmann emphasizes that studies suggest it may reduce dementia cases. Other studies found a link between the Mediterranean diet and lower Alzheimer's disease rates. However, keep in mind that genetics, lifestyle, and overall health also influence dementia risk.
The Mediterranean diet likely benefits brain health by providing antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and inflammation, containing omega-3 fatty acids (particularly DHA), being high in fiber (important for gut microbiome balance), low in processed grains and sugars, and promoting a balanced gut microbiome. Lastly, socializing and regular exercise are other aspects of the Mediterranean diet associated with brain health.
Walking is also related to slower cognitive decline. A study found that taking 10,000 steps a day lowered dementia risk by 50%. Another study connected walking speed to dementia, and a 2017 review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine concluded that aerobic exercise like walking can enhance cognitive impairment.
Walking may improve brain health by increasing blood flow, boosting brain activity, reducing stress, and improving overall well-being, according to brain health coach Ryan Glatt. It also blends social elements and exposure to nature, both potentially beneficial for the brain.
Feeling compelled to explore more about the MedWalk Intervention study's latest findings? Check out clinical trial registries, neurology or gerontology-focused academic journals, or the websites of institutions conducting the research for the newest updates. As of mid-2025, I couldn't find recent results or press releases regarding the study in the available public information. Keep your fingers crossed for some captivating findings in the near future!
- A naive question might be whether a Mediterranean diet combined with daily walking can positively impact brain health, a topic currently being explored in the MedWalk Intervention study.
- The MedWalk Intervention study aims to discover if a Mediterranean diet and walking regimen can lower the risk or slow down cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's dementia.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness and mental-health, the Mediterranean diet is believed to potentially reduce dementia cases based on various studies.
- The MedWalk Intervention study's focus is on a 12-month change in visual memory and learning, as well as the intervention's effects on mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness.
- Fitness-and-exercise, specifically walking, has been linked to slower cognitive decline, with studies indicating that taking 10,000 steps a day could lower dementia risk by 50%.
- Researchers leading the MedWalk Intervention study are from Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, delving into the science of a healthy diet, exercise, and the brain to combat cognitive decline in older adults.
