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How CASR Gene Variants Affect Calcium Balance and Bone Health

Calcium is essential for strong bones and teeth, muscle contractions, nerve signaling, blood clotting, and hormone release. Most calcium is stored in bones, while a small amount circulates in the blood and is tightly regulated. The CASR gene makes the calcium-sensing receptor that helps the parathyroid glands and kidneys monitor and adjust blood calcium. Variations in CASR can subtly change how your body senses calcium and therefore influence blood calcium levels and related processes.

What this means for you

This article explains how CASR variants relate to calcium regulation, practical nutrition and lifestyle steps to support bone and metabolic health, and when to discuss testing with your healthcare provider. PlexusDx does not provide medical advice. This information is educational only. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping supplements, changing medications, or making major changes to your diet or exercise.

General principles to support healthy calcium balance

  • Food-first approach: Aim to meet recommended calcium intake through whole foods such as dairy, fortified plant milks, leafy greens, canned fish with bones, calcium-set tofu, sesame/tahini, almonds, and legumes.
  • Vitamin D sufficiency: Vitamin D supports calcium absorption. Get safe sun exposure and include vitamin D–containing foods or supplements when needed.
  • Balance other bone nutrients: Magnesium, vitamin K2, and adequate protein support bone health and mineral balance.
  • Avoid unnecessary high-dose calcium supplements unless recommended by a provider after evaluating dietary intake and lab results.
  • Hydration and kidney health: Adequate fluid intake and moderated sodium intake help reduce kidney stone risk and support calcium handling by the kidneys.
  • Weight-bearing and resistance exercise: Regular activity stimulates bone formation and preserves strength.
  • Sleep and stress: Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep per night and manage chronic stress, both of which influence bone and hormonal health.

Personalized Genetic Interpretations

2 effect alleles (TT) — higher tendency toward serum calcium

If you have the TT genotype for rs1801725, you carry two copies of the effect allele and are associated with a tendency toward higher serum calcium levels, often within or near the normal range. The calcium-sensing receptor coded by CASR influences parathyroid hormone (PTH) release and kidney calcium handling. With the TT genotype, small shifts in sensing can mean your blood calcium trends higher than average.

Diet & supplements

  • Prioritize dietary calcium from food first: dairy, fortified plant milks, leafy greens, canned sardines or salmon with bones, calcium-set tofu, and legumes.
  • Spread calcium intake across meals instead of taking large bolus doses.
  • Avoid routine high-dose calcium supplements unless a healthcare provider recommends them to correct a deficiency.
  • Ensure adequate vitamin D to support safe absorption; consider testing 25(OH)D before supplementing high doses.
  • Include magnesium-rich foods (nuts, seeds, whole grains) and vitamin K sources (leafy greens, fermented foods).

Lifestyle

  • Maintain regular weight-bearing and resistance exercise three or more times weekly.
  • Stay well hydrated and keep daily sodium moderate to reduce kidney stone risk.
  • Limit very high doses of vitamin D or calcium without monitoring, as both can influence serum calcium.

Monitoring to consider

  • Discuss periodic testing of serum calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and basic kidney function with your healthcare provider if you have personal or family history of high calcium, kidney stones, or parathyroid disorders.
  • Share your genetic result with your provider so testing and targets can be individualized.
1 effect allele (GT) — slight increase in calcium tendency

If you have the GT genotype for rs1801725, you carry one copy of the effect allele. This is associated with a mild tendency for calcium levels to sit toward the higher end of the normal range. The CASR receptor will generally function normally but may allow slightly higher setpoints for blood calcium.

Diet & supplements

  • Use a food-first strategy to meet calcium needs: dairy, fortified alternatives, leafy greens, calcium-set tofu, and small fish with bones.
  • Avoid unnecessary high-dose calcium supplements; use supplements only to fill documented dietary gaps.
  • Ensure adequate vitamin D intake and consider testing vitamin D status before adding high-dose supplementation.
  • Include magnesium and vitamin K–rich foods to support mineral balance and bone health.

Lifestyle

  • Regular weight-bearing exercise and resistance training support bone strength and calcium utilization.
  • Hydrate well and moderate sodium and caffeine intake, both of which can affect calcium excretion.
  • Address other risk factors for kidney stones such as very high animal protein intake and low fluid intake.

Monitoring to consider

  • If you have a personal history of kidney stones, elevated calcium, or parathyroid disease, discuss intermittent monitoring of serum calcium and kidney function with your healthcare provider.
0 effect alleles (GG) — typical calcium regulation

If you have the GG genotype for rs1801725, you carry two copies of the non-effect allele and are likely to have standard CASR function. Your calcium sensing and regulation are expected to be typical, and you can follow general population guidance to support bone and metabolic health.

Diet & supplements

  • Meet recommended calcium intake through a variety of foods: dairy, fortified plant milks, leafy greens, canned fish with bones, nuts, seeds, and calcium-set tofu.
  • Ensure sufficient vitamin D through safe sun exposure, diet, and supplements as needed.
  • Use calcium supplements only to correct documented low intake or deficiency, as advised by your healthcare provider.
  • Support nutrients include magnesium, vitamin K2, and adequate protein across meals.

Lifestyle

  • Engage in regular weight-bearing and resistance exercise to preserve bone density and muscle strength.
  • Prioritize sleep, stress management, and hydration for overall hormonal and metabolic health.
  • Limit excessive alcohol and tobacco use, both of which impair bone health.

Monitoring to consider

  • Routine screening is generally aligned with population guidelines. Discuss bone density testing, vitamin D testing, or other labs with your provider based on age, personal history, and overall risk.

Practical tips to implement today

  • Create meals that combine calcium sources with vitamin D and magnesium rich foods — for example, Greek yogurt with berries and almonds, or a spinach and tofu stir-fry with canned salmon.
  • Track daily calcium from foods for a week to identify potential gaps before adding supplements.
  • Start or maintain a simple resistance routine: bodyweight squats, lunges, push-ups, or two sessions of weight training per week.
  • Stay hydrated by aiming for regular fluid intake and reducing high-sodium processed foods.
  • Bring this genetic information to your next medical visit to discuss targeted testing or nutrient strategies tailored to your health history.

Important disclaimer

PlexusDx does not provide medical advice. This content is educational and not a substitute for professional medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to supplements, medications, or health routines, and before scheduling any testing mentioned here.