Enlicitide, an oral cholesterol-lowering drug, is getting noticed by health professionals as an option for patients who want an injection-free treatment. Merck has also achieved a key step in its cholesterol drug pipeline, while a cholesterol medicine backed by McMaster University science has been approved for use in Canada.

Health outlets this week reported on how exercise affects LDL cholesterol levels, and TODAY.com cautioned readers against following cholesterol advice found on social media. LDL cholesterol is commonly referred to as the 'bad' type because elevated levels are associated with heart disease.