Contrary to popular belief, you can have cheese on the anti inflammatory diet (in fact, Dr. Perricone is a big fan of cheese. One of his personal favorites is Shelburne Farms three-year cheddar).

Cheese is an excellent source of vitamin K2, which is thought by some to combat the risk of cardiovascular disease. Cheese contains between 7.5 and 15 micrograms of of Vitamin K2 per ounce. Researchers are not clear on what causes the K2 levels to vary across varieties, but the evidence suggests that K2 is highly effective at directing calcium to your bones where it is needed and away from your arteries, where it does not belong.

However, the type and amount does matter. Always look for:

• Hard cheese over soft varieties. Opt for Romano, Parmesean, Pecorino, feta and goat cheese.
• Goat cheese is actually easier on the human digestive system, lower in calories and fat than its bovine counterparts.
• Cheese made from milk that is free of the hormones rbST/rbGH
• If buying raw cheese, go for full-fat, unprocessed milk from pasture-fed cows, sheeps, or goats.
• Keep servings to an ounce
• If possible, enjoy a vegetable with your cheese as the fat from the cheese can enhance vitamin absorption.

How do you incorporate cheese into the anti inflammatory lifestyle?