Oatmeal does raise your insulin levels which is not ideal, so it's important to eat a non-instant type of oatmeal and to NEVER add sugar to it. The oatmeal should be very high in fiber to offset the increase in your insulin levels.

Oatmeal lowers the bad cholesterol.

Not if you happen to be a lamb. In which case your heart and lungs could be stuffed into your own stomach with oatmeal to make haggis. But it's a mean old world...

Yes, very. It has water-soluble fiber that is not only good for your digestive systemn it also helps Roto-Rooter your arteries. Like a lot of other food, it's better if you eat a version that's least processed, so steel-cut oats are a tad healthier than instant oatmeal, but any kind is better than none.

As with potaoes and bread, it's what we put on it that makes it not-so-heart-healthy.