Saturated fat's relationship with cholesterol

Although it is quite known that a large intake of saturated fat in one's diet can cause many health complications -- like heart disease -- how about the intake of cholesterol and its effect on the body as well?

Is there a relationship between saturated fat intake and cholesterol intake? There is a "desirable" level of both HDL (high density lipoproteins) and LDL (low density lipoproteins) that can be considered safe in the human body, of course.

But what about the intake of saturated fats and dietary cholesterol (from non-plant sources) and how these both work in concert to affect our internal cholesterol.

A recent study pointed out these facts as good guidelines -- and I agree with them. Do you?

• Limit foods with a high content of saturated fat and cholesterol. Substitute with grains and unsaturated fat from vegetables, fish, legumes and nuts.
• Limit cholesterol to 300 milligrams (mg) a day for the general population, and 200 mg a day for those with heart disease or its risk factors.
• Include fat-free and low-fat dairy products, fish, legumes, poultry and lean meats.