Want to lower your risk of dementia? Here are things you can do without needing a blood test

For those worried about developing dementia later in life, new blood tests capable of predicting Alzheimer’s disease years before symptoms appear sound highly appealing; however, doctors note that these tests are not yet fully mature, and—more importantly—undergoing testing is not a prerequisite for taking steps to lower one’s risk of the disease.

According to the Associated Press, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved four blood tests to help physicians determine whether a patient’s memory issues or other cognitive symptoms stem from Alzheimer’s disease rather than other forms of dementia or unrelated medical conditions. Some laboratories and online services also offer proprietary tests; faster diagnosis can help patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s qualify for medications that may modestly slow the progression of symptoms.

However, dementia experts point out that even though these tests are neither approved nor recommended for asymptomatic individuals, many people still actively seek them out. Nicholas Ashton, an expert in the field based in Arizona, emphasizes that—with the exception of those participating in research studies—healthy individuals who are simply overly anxious should not undergo these tests.

Instead, the focus should be on addressing potentially preventable risks to brain health. A large-scale study found that individuals who reached middle age without high blood pressure, diabetes, or a smoking habit lived nearly 13 years longer dementia-free compared to those who had all three of these health issues in their 50s.

Josef Coresh, an epidemiologist at New York University, notes that taking proactive action—even if it merely delays the onset of these high-risk conditions—yields significant benefits.