there are entire whole-food plant-based communities who routinely report the near-miraculous benefits they gain after adopting the diet, such as cholesterol levels that aren't deadly.

That is a far more complex topic than just meat consumption though. People don't just go vegan but completely change their diet and actually look at what they consume.

I've never had high cholesterol even back when I ate meat daily. Always ate lots of salads and veggies though and didn't snack sugary shit all day.