Eating Your Way to Lower Cholesterol

Many of us don't really think about our cholesterol levels until it's time for a health check-up. However, experts emphasize the importance of being aware, as high blood cholesterol—a fatty substance produced by the liver and found in some foods—can dangerously clog arteries and raise your risk of heart disease. The good news is that both diet and exercise play a crucial role in keeping these levels in check.

So, what foods are best for the job? According to Heart UK, a British cholesterol charity, a smart first step is to swap saturated fats for unsaturated ones. This means opting for leaner meats, incorporating more oily fish into your diet, and using vegetable oils for cooking instead of butter.

Harvard Health in the US recommends focusing on foods rich in soluble fiber, which effectively binds to cholesterol in your digestive system and helps remove it from the body before it can enter your bloodstream. Excellent sources include oats, beans, barley, and other whole grains. This also makes fruits and vegetables a fantastic choice, with Harvard Health specifically pointing out the benefits of eggplant (aubergine) and okra. The British Heart Foundation adds that all forms of fruits and vegetables—fresh, frozen, canned, or dried—are beneficial.

Don't forget about snacks! Unhealthy treats between meals can also contribute to rising cholesterol. Experts suggest swapping out cakes and cookies for healthier options like nuts and seeds. Additionally, some snack foods are now fortified with plant sterols and stanols. These compounds help block your body from absorbing cholesterol and are often found in spreads and granola bars. Harvard suggests that consuming 2 grams of plant sterols or stanols daily can reduce cholesterol by 10%. While supplements are also available in health food stores, it's always best to consult your doctor if you're unsure about making dietary changes.

UK Records Major Drop in Household Wealth in 2024

Britain experienced the second largest decline in average household wealth among major economies in 2024, according to UBS’s annual Wealth Report. Mean household wealth in the UK fell by 3.6% last year, reversing earlier growth of over 6% since 2020. Only Turkey, facing severe inflation and soaring interest rates, saw a steeper drop, with average wealth falling more than 14% in real terms.

Michel Frey, head of UK high net worth at UBS, attributed the UK’s wealth decline to sluggish stock market performance and stagnant house prices. He noted that rising living costs and higher interest rates outpaced gains in property and financial markets, making it harder for people to build or retain wealth. Despite this, median household assets in the UK actually rose by over 5%, showing that losses were concentrated among the wealthiest.

In contrast, US household wealth surged, with assets growing 11% in the Americas compared to 4.6% globally. Frey highlighted the stronger performance of US stocks versus London’s FTSE 100, which rose just 5.7% in 2024, while UK property prices increased 4.7%. He suggested that revitalizing the London Stock Exchange and encouraging more high-growth firms to list domestically could help future wealth creation.

UBS’s findings align with other research showing Britain’s wealthiest are relocating to lower-tax countries. A Henley and Partners report estimated 10,800 dollar millionaires left the UK in 2024, a trend accelerated by the government’s removal of non-dom status and tax hikes.

Trump Nominates Chad Meredith for Judgeship After Biden’s Abandoned Attempt

President Donald Trump has announced his intention to nominate Chad Meredith, former Kentucky solicitor general, for a federal judgeship in Kentucky—a move that could reignite tensions with Senator Rand Paul, who previously blocked Meredith’s nomination under President Joe Biden. Meredith, known for defending Kentucky’s anti-abortion laws, was almost nominated by Biden in 2022 at the urging of Senator Mitch McConnell, but the plan was dropped after Paul signaled he would oppose the nomination, to the relief of Democrats and abortion rights advocates.

Trump described Meredith as “highly experienced and well qualified,” while McConnell praised the choice as “outstanding,” citing Meredith’s devotion to the rule of law. Paul’s office has not commented on Trump’s announcement, but three years ago, Paul accused McConnell of making a “secret deal” with the White House, which he said led to the failed nomination under Biden. Paul has not raised substantive objections to Meredith himself, but his opposition matters due to the Senate’s “blue slip” tradition, which allows home-state senators to block district court nominees.

Critics, including civil rights advocates, have voiced concerns over Meredith’s anti-abortion record, warning that his lifetime appointment should be troubling. Whether Paul will object again remains uncertain, but the nomination highlights ongoing divisions within Kentucky’s Republican leadership and the broader debate over judicial appointments.