The Monster Mash Ingredients

Explore the complete ingredient stack, original product sources, and science briefs.

Core rebuild

The Must Have Ingredients

Nine core inputs, each with a distinct biochemical role. These are the foundation. Everything else builds on top.

Foundation stack

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Must HaveFoundation
Organic hemp seeds, complete plant protein with all 9 essential amino acids

Hemp seeds

Complete protein with all 9 essential amino acids and an optimal 3:1 omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, the macronutrient foundation everything else builds on.

Supports muscles, nerves, and calm daily energy without glycemic disruption.

  • Complete plant protein, all 9 essential amino acids
  • Minerals: magnesium, iron, zinc
  • Stable energy, no spike, no crash
Must HaveCirculation
Beetroot powder, dietary nitrate for nitric oxide and microvascular perfusion

Beetroot powder

Dietary nitrate converts to nitric oxide via oral bacteria, dilating blood vessels and increasing oxygen delivery to spinal tissues. Antiseptic mouthwash suppresses this pathway.

The perfusion lever. Start with ½ tsp and titrate slowly.

  • Nitrate to nitric oxide, vascular signaling
  • Betalain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pigments
  • Caution with low blood pressure or kidney stone history
Must HaveTerrain
Organic spirulina powder, high protein cyanobacterial biomass with phycocyanin

Spirulina

Phycocyanin inhibits cyclooxygenase and modulates NF-kB signaling. Gram for gram, more protein than beef.

The micronutrient-dense terrain input. Pair with honey for palatability.

  • 50 to 70% protein by dry weight, highest of any whole food
  • Phycocyanin, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
  • Quality critical; verify third-party testing for microcystins
Must HaveCatalyst
Vitamin C calcium ascorbate powder, required for collagen hydroxylation

Vitamin C (calcium ascorbate)

Required cofactor for prolyl hydroxylation during collagen biosynthesis. Without it, collagen cross-links cannot form and fibrils are structurally weaker. Pairs with collagen peptides in the same meal.

The collagen catalyst. Calcium ascorbate form is buffered and gentle on digestion for daily use.

  • Required for collagen hydroxylation, not optional
  • Antioxidant support, redox terrain
  • Buffered form, gentler than ascorbic acid
Must HaveCarrier
Raw unfiltered honey, prebiotic oligosaccharides and polyphenols

Raw honey

Multi-mechanism antimicrobial action via hydrogen peroxide activity, osmolarity, low pH, and methylglyoxal, plus prebiotic oligosaccharides that feed Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.

The compliance engine. If the stack doesn't taste good, you won't do it daily. This solves that.

  • Compliance carrier, makes the entire stack palatable daily
  • Four independent antimicrobial pathways
  • Prebiotic oligosaccharides for gut microbiome support
Must HaveHydration
Organic black chia seeds, mucilage fiber and ALA omega-3

Chia seeds

Mucilage polysaccharides form a hydrogel that holds 12 times its weight in water, slowing gastric emptying, supporting fascial hydration, and feeding gut bacteria via SCFA fermentation.

The viscosity and fiber lever. Changes the physical behavior of the Mash. Start with 1 tsp; increase fluid intake.

  • Mucilage gel, slows gastric emptying and supports regularity
  • High ALA omega-3 and fermentable fiber
  • Always hydrate first; dry swallowing is a safety risk
Must HaveStructure
Hydrolyzed collagen peptides powder, glycine proline hydroxyproline for fascia and tendon

Collagen peptides

Delivers glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, amino acids disproportionate in fascia, tendon, and disc. The signal: substrate plus mechanical loading. One without the other is half the intervention.

The structural substrate. Take it before movement when feasible. Neutral taste, mixes into anything.

  • Glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, collagen-specific amino acids
  • Pairs with vitamin C, required for hydroxylation chemistry
  • Dose before movement when possible
Must HaveEnergy
Pharmaceutical grade creatine monohydrate, phosphocreatine system support

Creatine monohydrate

Increases intramuscular phosphocreatine by 20 to 40%, improving ATP resynthesis rate, used here as a compliance amplifier so consistent movement, not just muscle performance, becomes achievable.

The energetic stabilizer. Makes consistent movement possible even on difficult days.

  • Phosphocreatine to rapid ATP, endurance and postural support
  • Compliance amplifier, makes consistent movement achievable
  • Strong safety record; monohydrate is the studied form
Must HaveMembranes
Udo's Choice 3-6-9 oil blend, cold-processed ALA and LA essential fatty acids

Udo's oil 3·6·9

Essential fatty acids are the direct building blocks of prostaglandins and steroid hormones, the compounds regulating inflammation, pain perception, and tissue repair. No EFA sufficiency, no hormonal balance.

The membrane input. Added cold, after all heat steps. Store refrigerated, never heat.

  • Prostaglandin and steroid hormone precursors
  • ALA and LA incorporated into phospholipid membranes
  • Cold-use only, heat creates oxidative byproducts
Support layer

Layer In As You Go

These five deepen the effect over time. Add one at a time after the core stack is stable and running consistently for at least two weeks.

Layer InNerves
Organic lion's mane extract powder, Hericium erinaceus NGF pathway support

Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus)

Hericenones and erinacines stimulate nerve growth factor synthesis in preclinical models, supporting myelination, neuroplasticity, and cognitive throughput over consistent daily use.

Neurocognitive support for attention and adherence. Layered in after the base is stable.

  • Hericenones and erinacines, NGF pathway mechanistic interest
  • Add-later, not a core structural ingredient
  • Evaluate over weeks; effects are gradual
Layer InTerrain
Organic coriander cilantro powder, linalool phenolics terrain support

Cilantro (coriander) powder

Linalool-rich volatile fraction with documented antimicrobial and antioxidant activity in vitro, used here as a low-dose phytochemical terrain input, not as a chelation therapy.

Low-dose daily terrain and digestive support. Also excellent in savory cooking.

  • Linalool and polyphenols, antioxidant signaling
  • Terrain and digestive support layer
  • Detox claims not established in humans; keep framing conservative
Layer InBalance
Organic Ceylon cinnamon Cinnamomum verum, low coumarin for glycemic handling

Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)

Cinnamaldehyde modulates GLUT4 glucose transport and insulin receptor signaling, steadying postprandial glucose, which directly reduces the glycemic volatility that amplifies pain perception.

A small daily metabolic lever that also improves palatability. Pairs perfectly with honey.

  • Cinnamaldehyde, glycemic handling and insulin signaling
  • Ceylon only, far lower coumarin than cassia
  • Caution with glucose-lowering medications
Layer InFuel
Organic unsweetened coconut flakes, MCTs and lauric acid

Unsweetened coconut flakes

Lauric acid converts to monolaurin in the body, a compound with independent antimicrobial properties, while MCTs provide rapidly available cellular fuel that bypasses normal fat digestion.

Prevents the under-eating trap on hard days. Improves texture and satiety significantly.

  • Lauric acid to monolaurin, antimicrobial and gut-lining support
  • MCTs for rapid cellular energy
  • Always unsweetened, preserves glycemic intent of the full stack
Layer InOmegas
Organic raw walnuts, ALA omega-3 and ellagitannin polyphenols

Raw walnuts

Ellagitannins convert to urolithins in the gut, compounds studied for mitochondrial signaling, while ALA shifts the daily fatty acid balance toward anti-inflammatory eicosanoid production.

The final lipid and polyphenol layer. Added cold, after all heat steps. Also an excellent stand-alone snack.

  • High PUFA and ALA, membrane lipid balance
  • Ellagitannins to urolithins, gut polyphenol metabolism
  • Added cold, after heat; store refrigerated
Outside the bowl

Taken separately, not in the Mash

Two ingredients go outside the morning bowl. Glycine at night in water. Bamboo silica with food, often split into two doses.

Taken SeparatelySleep & Nerves
NOW glycine pure powder, inhibitory neurotransmitter for sleep physiology and collagen

Glycine (pure powder)

Major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the spinal cord, and structurally required at every third position of the collagen triple helix, making it relevant to both sleep physiology and connective tissue repair simultaneously.

The nervous-system amplifier used at night. Better sleep means better recovery. Mildly sweet, dissolves easily.

  • Inhibitory neurotransmitter, spinal cord and sleep physiology
  • Required for collagen triple helix (every 3rd position)
  • 2 to 5g in water, 30 to 60 minutes before sleep
Taken SeparatelyConnective Tissue
Bamboo silica capsules, plant silicon for collagen and extracellular matrix support

Bamboo silica (silicon)

Silicon participates in collagen synthesis and glycosaminoglycan cross-linking, the structural bonds that determine fascia and cartilage tensile strength. Human trials show hair and skin improvements with bioavailable OSA forms.

Targeted structural layer for extracellular matrix support. Slow-acting, assess over weeks to months.

  • Silicon in collagen synthesis and GAG biology
  • Human evidence strongest for bioavailable OSA forms
  • Take with food; evaluate over weeks; caution with kidney disease