The current popular theory is that if we have an overall high cholesterol reading, usually higher than 200 or so, we have a higher risk of  heart disease.  Part of that theory is that high levels of cholesterol are the result of eating foods that are high in fat and high in cholesterol.  Until a short time ago, this was considered to be factual, proven information.  However, medical science has changed its position and this is no longer the case.  New evidence has shown that science has a way to go before we have the full story on cholesterol, including its connections with inflammation and heart disease.

“A total cholesterol level of 200 is normal," says Mary Enig, PhD, a biochemist and the author of Know Your Fats (Bethesda Press, 2000). "For some individuals, 220 is normal. For others, 240 and even 260 is normal." Enig and other researchers base their views on the fact that numerous studies have shown less of a connection between high cholesterol levels and heart disease than previously thought.

For example, in the famous Framingham study, which is considered the cornerstone of the cholesterol- coronary heart disease (CHD) connection, the "correlation coefficient" between high cholesterol and coronary heart disease was only 0.36, which is half of that between smoking and lung cancer. Essentially this means the cause and effect connection between cholesterol and CHD is a weak link.

Some researchers even believe that relatively high cholesterol levels may actually prevent coronary heart disease by defending against infections that may contribute to atherosclerosis. Uffe Ravnskov, a well-known cholesterol skeptic and author of The Cholesterol Myths (New Trends, 2000), presented evidence for this case in the Quarterly Journal of Medicine (December 2003).  Again, Mary Enig says “Cholesterol is  an important repair substance. When the body has an infection or inflammation or wound, cholesterol is concentrated in the areas that are getting healed." The presence of cholesterol may be an indicator of inflammation rather than a root cause.  Ironically, a University of Hawaii study found that men over age 70 were much more likely to develop heart disease if their total cholesterol level was below 200 than if it was between 200 and 219.

Today we commonly divide total cholesterol readings into LDL and HDL. The distinction between HDL as "good" cholesterol and LDL as "bad" cholesterol may be a bit simplistic. High-density lipoproteins HDL, or "good" cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteins LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, are actually not cholesterol at all; they are the fat molecules that transport cholesterol through the bloodstream.

LDL is responsible for shuttling cholesterol from the liver where it is made, through the bloodstream and then depositing it in the tissues where it's needed. HDL transports cholesterol from the tissues back to the liver, where the majority of it is secreted in bile used to break down food.  Both HDL and LDL are indispensable lipoproteins. The key concern is the proper ratios of LDL to HDL. The reason LDL is called "bad" is that a very high ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol in the blood is associated with a higher risk of coronary heart disease.  However, we can’t live without LDL.

It is increasingly evident that cholesterol must be considered in a wider context than we previously understood. However common sense rules still apply: Eat a balanced diet based on whole, unprocessed foods, exercise, maintain a healthy body weight, limit stress, seek your doctor's advice on cholesterol, and take prescribed drugs only as needed. In your case your doctor has told you not to worry about your cholesterol and that sounds like great advice.