we use olive oil almost all the time, and have done so for the last 10 years.

my cholesteral level is 90-95 and i'm an eager carnivore, i eat a dozen eggs a week and i drink whole raw milk right from the cow.

Hi Martin and all,

Just a word of caution:

While the use of olive may contribute to lowering cholesterol levels and provide a healthily alternative to other types of oil, it is only one tool in the arsenal to fight heart disease. One’s genetic background, along with exercise and an overall healthily diet has as much, if not more to do with maintaining low cholesterol levels. Martin, like many be able to eat foods laden with fats and not be adversely affected, as it is likely their genetic background which allows them to do so.

Pete

If you liek to cook Chinese food authentically, i.e. in an extremely hot wok, then olive oil is not really suitable as it burns at too low a temperature, groundnut/peanut oil is better for this.

One point worth noting is that rape seed oil (canola over there?) is also high in monounsaturates.

Does have peanut oil high cholesterol ???

Vegetable oils don't contain cholesterol, but that's only one part of the equation and some argue that genetics plays a MUCH bigger role than dietary intake of animal fat. This site explains the situation quite well:
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/fats.html

Stop worrying, man, you've got to die of something. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Just remember, everything in moderation, and the more time it has spent in the factory between the field and you, odds are the worse it is.