Let’s clear up some confusion. Cholesterol is one of the most talked-about health topics—and also one of the most misunderstood. Many people assume cholesterol is automatically ‘bad,’ while others aren’t sure which numbers truly matter or how diet, supplements, and lifestyle play a role.
That in mind, we’ve highlighted a Res-Q HealthLine radio show to squash myths and confirm facts. WAEB radio host Bobby Gunther Walsh and Dr. Melissa Josselson, ND break down the biggest myths, facts, and misunderstandings so you can better understand your numbers—and take proactive steps to support your heart health naturally.
Below is their Q&A conversation streamlined with some of the most noteworthy highlights to help you easily follow along:
Q: Is Cholesterol Harmful to Our Health? (True or False)
Dr. Josselson: False. Our bodies require cholesterol for a variety of functions. Cholesterol modulates the fluidity of our cell membranes. Our bodies need cholesterol to make various hormones, including: estrogen, testosterone, and even adrenal hormones like cortisol. It is also needed to produce vitamin D and bile, which helps us to digest the fat we eat. So, cholesterol does have important roles when it comes to our health. If cholesterol becomes elevated and oxidized, then it has the potential to be harmful.
Gunther: So, the real issue isn’t “cholesterol,” but high or oxidized cholesterol.
Q: How Does High Cholesterol Become Dangerous?
Dr. Josselson: Inflammation and oxidative stress make cholesterol more likely to form plaque in the arteries. When plaque builds up enough to block blood flow, it can trigger a heart attack or stroke.
Q: Which Res-Q Supplements Help Protect Against Inflammation and Oxidative Stress?
Dr. Josselson: Res-Q Omega-3s should be foundational—they help combat inflammation and provide broad cardiovascular benefits. To prevent cholesterol from oxidizing, Res-Q CellPower is key. It contains a powerful antioxidant blend including 200 mg of CoQ10, plus vitamins C and E, selenium, lutein, lycopene, and astaxanthin.
Q: Does The Total Cholesterol Number Tell the Whole Story? (True Or False)
Dr. Josselson: False. False. Again, cholesterol, in and of itself, is not problematic. Yes, elevated cholesterol becomes concerning, but it still depends on what particular component is elevated. It’s important to know and understand the breakdown of your lipid panel.
For example, LDL, which makes up the majority of our cholesterol, is more likely to accumulate as plaque in our vessels. HDL, on the other hand, recycles excess cholesterol, like LDL, out of the blood and back to the liver. So, a person with a total elevated cholesterol and high LDL would be at a greater risk than someone with elevated cholesterol due and high HDL.
Gunther: Can you talk a little more about the breakdown?
Dr. Josselson: Yes, LDL is termed the “bad” cholesterol because it is susceptible to oxidation and accumulation in our arteries. We also have triglycerides, which are excess fat in the blood. Elevated levels of triglycerides like LDL, also increases our risk of cardiovascular disease. HDL is termed the “good” cholesterol because it recycles excess cholesterol back to the liver. Most people need to focus on lowering LDL and triglycerides and raising their HDL.
Q: Which Is More Dangerous—High LDL Or High HDL?
Dr. Josselson: A higher total cholesterol level with an elevated LDL puts you at greater risk than a total cholesterol with a high HDL. If given a choice between high cholesterol, high LDL, or high HDL, you definitely want a high HDL. HDL is protective and lowers risk of cardiovascular disease.
Q: Which Scenario Presents More Risk: Elevated Total Cholesterol, Elevated LDL, Or Low HDL?
Dr. Josselson: All of those scenarios can increase risk of heart disease. That being said, no scenario is an automatic. Some people go their entire lives with an elevated cholesterol level and never develop atherosclerosis.
Ultimately, it’s important to know and understand the potential impacts of each type of cholesterol and addressing the factors, like inflammation and oxidative stress, that influence the impact of cholesterol on heart disease.
Q: Which Res-Q Supplements Support Healthy LDL, HDL, and Total Cholesterol?
Dr. Josselson: To lower total cholesterol and LDL, and support healthy HDL, the combination of Res-Q LDL-XQ10 with red yeast rice and Res-Q 1250 Omega-3 is effective. An independent study published by the Mayo Clinic confirmed that levels of LDL cholesterol were reduced by 42.4% in the group taking LDL-XQ10 with red yeast rice, in combination with lifestyle changes, compared to a reduction of 39.6% in the group that took statin medication.
To raise HDL levels, HDL+ is the product of choice. HDL+ contains a special form of niacin, or vitamin B3. This form is used to avoid the common flushing sensation that can occur with niacin.
Q: Does Eating High-Cholesterol Foods Increase Cholesterol? (True Or False)
Dr. Josselson: Technically, this is true, but usually the influences are slight. Only about 20% of our cholesterol comes from the food we eat, while most of cholesterol is produced in our liver.
Gunther: I don't have a family history of heart disease or high cholesterol, although my diet at times is not all that good, so that's what we're talking about. Eating foods that are high in cholesterol, junk foods you sometimes eat, all the foods with saturated fats, etc.
Q: How Does Res-Q LeveLDL Help with Dietary Cholesterol?
Dr. Josselson: Res-Q LeveLDL contains plant sterols, which block dietary cholesterol absorption. It also includes policosanol for healthy cholesterol balance and niacin to support HDL.
Q: Do Diet and Exercise Have Little Impact on Cholesterol? (True Or False)
Dr. Josselson: False. Exercise can positively influence cholesterol and there appears to be different mechanisms for this. One is that exercise can stimulate enzymes that help move LDL from the walls of blood vessels to the liver. There, it can be converted to bile and used for digestion or excreted.
So, essentially the more you exercise, the more LDL your body can expel. There are likely additional mechanisms that have yet to be researched and discovered. We also know exercise is one of the few ways to raise HDL, or the good cholesterol, if that level is too low. The take home is that exercise has positive effects on cholesterol levels.
Gunther: I can tell you firsthand when I'm exercising more, and when I ran more often, that’s when my HDL number was much better than it is now. So right now, because I don't have the time to exercise, that's when I added the LeveLDL with niacin and my good cholesterol (HDL) came back up. But if I was exercising also, I think I’d really have a good HDL number.
Q: Is Lower Cholesterol Always Better? (True Or False)
Dr. Josselson: Definitely false. I feel this is one of the most important questions to discuss since the scenario should not be, “the lower the total cholesterol, the better.” Cholesterol plays an important role when it comes to our health and has numerous benefits. While elevated cholesterol can be harmful, so can cholesterol that is too low. In fact, low cholesterol has been associated with various health risks as well.
Gunther: Repeat again what we need cholesterol for? It's one of the building blocks of our cells, correct?
Dr. Josselson: Cell membranes, hormones, vitamin D, bile. If cholesterol is too low, there can be negative health implications. So, cholesterol is important for health, you just don't want it to be too elevated, especially due to elevated LDL.
Q: Do Elevated Triglycerides Increase Heart Disease Risk? (True Or False)
Dr. Josselson: True. LDL, which is termed the bad cholesterol, like elevated triglycerides, increase risk of cardiovascular disease. This level is a part of a standard lipid panel. If triglycerides are elevated, dietary changes and omega-3s can be used to lower them.
Gunther: We’ve seen incredible triglyceride testimonials from Res-Q 1250 Omega-3 users—from levels in the 300s dropping to the 150s within weeks.
Q: How Do Omega-3s Lower Triglycerides?
Dr. Josselson: We know omega-3s have significant research to show they effectively lower triglycerides. This results primarily from the decline in hepatic, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL-TG) production, and secondarily from the increase in VLDL clearance.
Q: Does Oxidized Cholesterol Increase Heart Disease Risk? (True Or False)
Dr. Josselson: True. This results from oxidative stress and free radicals. Free radicals are molecules with an unpaired electron and without getting too technical, they can cause damage to the cells, tissues, lipids, and so forth, in our body.
Think of an apple – if you cut it in half and leave it on the counter, it turns brown – this is oxidation. Metal rusting is also oxidation. Cholesterol is susceptible to oxidation and if LDL becomes oxidized, that is harmful.
Q: How Do You Prevent Cholesterol from Oxidizing?
Dr. Josselson: Antioxidants in general protect against oxidative damage. Res-Q CellPower is a great option because it contains a powerhouse of antioxidants, including CoQ10. CoQ10 is an important nutrient found in high concentrations in the heart, and it naturally declines with age. It’s a potent antioxidant and helps to prevent cholesterol oxidation, but also supports heart health.
In addition to 200mg of CoQ10, Res-Q CellPower also contains vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, lutein, lycopene, and astaxanthin – all of which are powerful antioxidants. If you are trying to prevent the oxidation of cholesterol in your body, CellPower is the top choice.
Conclusion: Know Your Numbers, Support Your Heart
Cholesterol isn’t the enemy—mismanaged cholesterol is. Understanding your breakdown, reducing inflammation, protecting against oxidative stress, and supporting your body with targeted nutrition can make a significant difference in long-term heart health.
With the right lifestyle habits and effective Res-Q supplements, you can take meaningful steps to protect your heart and maintain balanced, healthy cholesterol levels.
If you’re unsure about where to start with your supplement regimen, we have the perfect solution. Our free, five-minute health survey is designed to provide personalized recommendations tailored to your primary health goals. Plus, you can take it multiple times to explore what works best for you!
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