[AstralStorm]

The notion that direct intake of cholesterol is bad is itself problematic. Off the top of the head I can recall at least 3 studies getting null results. Can't link you then on mobile, maybe late if you're still interested. (There are very rare genetic exceptions where body does not automatically balance intake with less internal production.)

The problem is likely that cholesterol itself is a coincidence, and that intake of too much red meat, sugar, heavily processed foods and also just to many calories in are the major problem.

And likely trans fats are much more damaging. Plus not enough vegetables or vitamin D or B12 in diet.

It just so happens that there's cholesterol in three of these four.

Right now there is more emphasis on lipid ratios (including IDL and VLDL) rather than total number anyway. Those seem much better correlated to cardiac endpoints.