Dietary cholesterol consumption is not what increases blood cholesterol levels. And blood cholesterol levels on their face is not what causes heart disease for the general population. Take out of this conversation anyone with familial hypercholesteremia, whose cholesterol levels can go up to unbelieveably high levels (those folks are a different category unto themselves). It is inflammation which is the culprit, and there are very specific markers which indicate whether or not this is occurring. You can no longer just look at the total cholesterol number, or even the LDL/HDL. You need to get more specific. The latest research shows that it’s not eating eggs and shrimp (high cholesterol containing foods) which are causing heart disease.
After working for years with world renown cardiologists and interventional cardiologists, I can say that a lot of them continue to spout the old school nutrition spiel, and continue to prescribe statins for people in spite of the fact that for many of these patients, they are unnecessary. Most MDs received very little nutrition education to begin with.
That said, I would never argue against a specific dietary restriction which a particular individual has received from their MD as I wouldn’t have all the facts. But I would encourage everyone to do their own research any time a med is prescribed or a specific diet is recommended. Doctors are not all knowing and they admit this themselves. Most are very open to looking at specific research or adjusting recommendations in the face of patient concerns.
If I were the OP, I’d ask to see the diet recommendations her neighbor was given, and I’d absolutely stay within the guidelines, regardless of what my own opinions of them are. I believe that is a given as far as she is concerned anyway.