Cheese

Overview

Cheese is fermented dairy providing calcium, complete protein, and in some varieties (like Parmesan), vitamin K2 and CLA. Studies have shown that hard cheeses with high calcium do not raise serum LDL levels. Cheese provides tyrosine for dopamine synthesis and supports bone health through calcium and K2 content.

Recipes

no recipes found

Substances

3 substances in this food

Calcium

Bone health; neurotransmission; interacts with vitamin D and K2

Tyrosine

Dopamine and norepinephrine precursor; LAT1 competition with LNAAs

Vitamin K2 (MK forms)

Calcium handling; potential roles in brain health; often co-occurs with fat-soluble vitamins

Preparation Notes

• Choose quality sources when possible; grass-fed/pasture-raised sources may have better nutrient profiles
• Part of diverse dairy intake strategy
• Supports calcium and protein goals; hard cheeses with high calcium do not raise serum LDL levels Soerensen et al. 2014
• Consider fermentation benefits; fermented foods provide live microbes + postbiotic peptides; improved SCFA pools; vagal signaling

Biological Target Matrix

Biological Target	Substance	Therapeutic Areas	Mechanism of Action
Hormonal Response	Calcium	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD	Supports calcium modulation along with vitamin D, magnesium, taurine, phospholipids, and flavonoids; supports insulin sensitivity, sympathetic arousal, and mitochondrial excitability
Hormonal Response	Vitamin K2 (MK forms)	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD	Modulates calcium distribution; supports calcium handling and may support neural function; occurs in fermented foods and certain animal products
Neurochemical Balance	Calcium	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Essential for nerve impulse transmission and neurotransmission
Neurochemical Balance	Tyrosine	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Catecholamine precursor (dopamine, norepinephrine); brain transport via LAT1 competes with other LNAAs; iron is an essential cofactor for tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in conversion of tyrosine to dopamine; cofactors include iron, B6, folate, omega-3s, and BH₄ (tetrahydrobiopterin) to support rate-limiting steps in catecholamine synthesis

References

• Studies have shown that hard cheeses with high calcium do not raise serum LDL levels Soerensen et al. 2014
• See Parmesan Cheese for detailed information on CLA, K2, C15:0, and glutamate content
• When consumed in moderation within an anti-inflammatory, micronutrient-rich diet, foods like Parmesan cheese provide essential brain nutrients including choline, vitamin K2, butyrate, and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E
• Dopamine: Attention, motivation, executive function; food sources include lean poultry, beef, fish, dairy, soy, pumpkin seeds (cheese provides tyrosine)