Parmesan Cheese

Overview

Parmesan cheese provides CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), vitamin K2, C15:0 pentadecanoic acid, high protein, and calcium, with studies showing it doesn't raise LDL despite high calcium. Parmesan Cheese: CLA, vitamin K2, glutamate, high protein, calcium; fermented, C15:0. C15:0 (Parmesan and grassfed Butter). Studies have shown that hard cheeses with high calcium do not raise serum LDL levels. Instead of excluding them, dietary strategies should focus on unprocessed, nutrient-dense sources such as Parmesan cheese, grass-fed butter, and pasture-raised egg yolks.

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

• Use as grated topping or snacks for flavor and nutrient density
• Part of nutrient-dense animal food strategy
• Supports K2 and calcium intake; studies have shown that hard cheeses with high calcium do not raise serum LDL levels Soerensen et al. 2014
• Choose quality sources when possible
• 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

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

• Parmesan Cheese: CLA, vitamin K2, glutamate, high protein, calcium; fermented, C15:0
• C15:0 (Parmesan and grassfed Butter)
• Studies have shown that hard cheeses with high calcium do not raise serum LDL levels Soerensen et al. 2014
• Instead of excluding them, dietary strategies should focus on unprocessed, nutrient-dense sources such as Parmesan cheese, grass-fed butter, and pasture-raised egg yolks
• When consumed in moderation within an anti-inflammatory, micronutrient-rich diet, foods like Parmesan cheese and grass-fed butter 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 (Parmesan provides tyrosine)