Walk Your Way to a Healthy Brain Unleash the Power of a Mediterranean Diet!
Promoting Brain Health The Potential Benefits of Walking and Following a Mediterranean Diet
Share on Pinterest An active lifestyle and a healthy diet may help maintain brain health, lower dementia risk. Image credit: Kobus Louw/Getty Images.
- An ongoing study is investigating the combined effect of a Mediterranean diet and walking on dementia and cognitive decline.
- Both the Mediterranean diet and walking regularly have been associated with brain health, but this study seeks to assess their combined effect.
- The study will be completed by the end of 2023.
Hey there! Ever wondered why that sprightly couple you often see strolling hand in hand seem to have the memory of an elephant? Well, researchers are currently on the hunt for answers in an ongoing study that is exploring the powerful combination of a Mediterranean diet and walking on brain health and the risk of dementia. But hold on, what is this magical combo called? Brace yourself for the “MedWalk intervention” — Mediterranean diet meets walking. It’s like the dynamic duo of brain health!
Let’s break it down. The Mediterranean diet, as the name suggests, takes inspiration from the eating habits of people living in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Think Italy, Greece, and Spain, where a tasty array of olive oil, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts, and legumes adorn the dinner table. And walking, well, you already know what that is, but did you know it can be your brain’s best buddy?
Now, previous research has already hinted at the positive effects of both the Mediterranean diet and walking on brain health individually. But this study takes it a step further by investigating how they team up to provide a brain-boosting power punch. Led by researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, this study was on its way to revealing some fascinating insights when it was, unfortunately, interrupted by our lockdown pal, COVID-19. But fear not, the researchers have valiantly soldiered on and have even published their process and ongoing analysis in the prestigious Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. Kudos to them!
Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of this MedWalk intervention. The study participants, aged between 60 and 90, hail from vibrant Australian states – South Australia and Victoria. They were recruited from independent living retirement communities and also from the broader community, thanks to the pandemic’s unexpected plot twist. Scientists have their eyes peeled on various factors associated with cognitive decline, such as glucose regulation, inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress.
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Now here’s the juicy part. Participants were divided into two groups – the lucky folks who were assigned to the MedWalk intervention group, and the control group who stuck to their regular diet and activity routine. The intervention group got the VIP treatment with a combination of dietary modifications, supervised walking sessions, and a sprinkle of psychosocial behavioral change techniques. They even received extra virgin olive oil for free since it’s the Mediterranean diet’s real MVP (Most Valuable Product). Walk, eat, repeat!
But what’s the primary outcome the researchers are all geeked out about? They’re looking at how participants’ visual memory and learning change over the course of 12 months. And as if that wasn’t enough, they’re also snooping around to see how the intervention affects other aspects such as mood, quality of life, health costs, cardiovascular health, and arterial stiffness. Phew, that’s a lot of ground to cover!
Conner Middelmann, a certified nutritionist specializing in the Mediterranean diet (not involved in this study, unfortunately), pointed out that previous studies have already hinted at a link between the Mediterranean diet and a reduced risk of dementia. But let’s not forget, my friends, that brain health is a complex beast influenced by many factors like genetics, lifestyle, and overall health. So, maintaining a healthy diet like the Mediterranean one is just one piece of the puzzle. It’s like adding a dash of olive oil to a delicious, brain-boosting salad!
But what’s so magical about the Mediterranean diet anyway? Well, it’s dripping with antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and inflammation, two pesky culprits when it comes to cognitive decline. Plus, it’s loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, the brain’s favorite snack, particularly the superstar known as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These omega-3s have been known to crank up cognitive function and lower the risk of, you guessed it, cognitive decline.
Now, let’s lace up our walking shoes and hit the pavement. Walking has its own set of perks when it comes to brain health. A recent study discovered that the more steps you take, the lower your risk of dementia. In fact, taking a cool 10,000 steps a day slashed the risk by a whopping 50%! Another study linked walking speed to dementia, while others have shown that aerobic exercise, like walking, can beef up cognitive function. It’s like a secret handshake between your brain and your sneakers!
So, how does walking work its magic? According to brain health coach Ryan Glatt, walking can increase brain blood flow, tickle those brain cells with activity, and even help banish stress and improve overall well-being. And hey, walking isn’t just about pounding the pavement alone. It can be a social affair, a chance to bond with friends or immerse yourself in the wonders of nature. It’s like a brain-boosting journey with your very own adventure squad!
Now, I know you’re eager to hear the results of this fascinating study, but we’ll have to wait until the end of 2023 for the full scoop. Until then, why not take a cue from this MedWalk intervention and embrace both a Mediterranean diet and regular walking into your own life? It’s like giving your brain a delightful spa day! Plus, who doesn’t want to enjoy a plate of mouthwatering Mediterranean dishes while strolling through life with the grace of an Olympian? So, go ahead, treat yourself to some brain-boosting goodness. Your mind will thank you!
