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How CASR Gene Variants Affect Magnesium Balance

Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in more than 300 enzyme reactions in the body. It supports muscle and nerve function, bone health, energy production, and blood sugar regulation. The CASR gene makes a calcium sensing receptor that also senses and helps regulate magnesium in the blood. Variations in CASR can change how efficiently your body senses and manages magnesium, which may influence blood magnesium levels and the risk of deficiency.

Why magnesium matters

  • Muscle and nerve function: magnesium helps muscles contract and relax and is essential for healthy nerve signaling.
  • Bone health: magnesium supports bone mineralization alongside calcium and vitamin D.
  • Energy production: magnesium is a cofactor for enzymes that generate cellular energy.
  • Blood sugar and cardiovascular health: magnesium plays a role in glucose metabolism and blood pressure regulation.

Everyday strategies to support magnesium

No matter your genotype, these practical steps help maintain healthy magnesium levels:

  • Eat magnesium-rich foods daily: leafy greens, nuts and seeds, legumes, whole grains, avocados, and dark chocolate.
  • Balance dietary factors that affect magnesium: high sugar and excessive alcohol can increase magnesium loss. Limit processed foods and sugary drinks.
  • Stay hydrated and support kidney function: kidneys control magnesium excretion. Maintain steady fluid intake and manage blood pressure.
  • Manage stress and sleep: chronic stress and poor sleep can affect magnesium status and increase requirements.
  • Be active: regular exercise supports overall mineral balance. Avoid excessive endurance exercise without replenishing electrolytes.

Genetic Interpretations for rs17251221 (CASR)

2 effect alleles (GG) — Higher magnesium levels

If you have the GG genotype, you carry two copies of the effect allele. This variant is associated with more efficient magnesium regulation by the CASR receptor and tends to be linked with higher circulating magnesium and a lower risk of deficiency.

What this means for you

  • You may naturally maintain higher magnesium levels compared to people without this variant.
  • This genetic effect is protective but does not replace the need for good nutrition and lifestyle habits that support magnesium status.
  • Regular dietary intake of magnesium-rich foods remains important to support the many enzyme reactions that depend on this mineral.

Practical recommendations

  • Focus on a balanced diet with magnesium-rich foods rather than routine high-dose supplementation unless advised by a clinician.
  • Consider monitoring if you take medications that affect magnesium, such as diuretics or proton pump inhibitors. Discuss with your healthcare provider.
  • Check a serum magnesium or comprehensive metabolic panel with your provider if you have symptoms like muscle cramps, weakness, irregular heartbeat, or persistent fatigue.
1 effect allele (GA) — Slightly higher magnesium levels

If you have the GA genotype, you carry one copy of the effect allele. This variant may modestly increase magnesium regulation efficiency and is associated with a slight tendency toward higher magnesium compared to people without the allele.

What this means for you

  • Your CASR receptor may regulate magnesium a bit more effectively, providing some protection against deficiency.
  • However the effect is modest and lifestyle, diet, medications, and health conditions remain important determinants of magnesium status.

Practical recommendations

  • Include a variety of magnesium-rich foods daily: leafy greens, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, and avocados.
  • If you have risk factors for low magnesium such as gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, heavy alcohol use, or take magnesium-depleting medications, discuss testing and management with your healthcare provider.
  • Consider a low-dose magnesium supplement if dietary intake is inadequate, but consult your provider to choose form and dose that fit your needs.
0 effect alleles (AA) — Typical magnesium regulation

If you have the AA genotype, you carry two copies of the non-effect allele. This is associated with typical CASR function and standard magnesium regulation through normal absorption and excretion processes.

What this means for you

  • Your genetic background does not include the variant linked to increased magnesium, so you rely on diet and lifestyle to maintain optimal levels.
  • Because magnesium supports so many systems, adequate intake remains essential.

Practical recommendations

  • Prioritize magnesium-rich whole foods daily and reduce dietary patterns that promote magnesium loss, such as high sugar and excessive alcohol.
  • Consider periodic testing if you have symptoms of deficiency or medical conditions that affect absorption or increase loss.
  • If supplementation is considered, your healthcare provider can help pick an appropriate form and dose and monitor response.

Dietary sources and supplement notes

  • Top food sources: spinach, Swiss chard, almonds, pumpkin seeds, black beans, quinoa, brown rice, and tofu.
  • Forms of supplements: magnesium citrate and magnesium glycinate are commonly used for absorption and tolerability. Magnesium oxide contains more elemental magnesium per dose but can cause gastrointestinal upset in some people.
  • Supplement caution: high-dose magnesium supplements can cause diarrhea and, in people with reduced kidney function, can lead to dangerously high magnesium. Always discuss supplements with your clinician.

When to test magnesium

  • Symptoms such as muscle cramps, persistent fatigue, numbness or tingling, abnormal heart rhythms, or unexplained weakness.
  • Medical conditions that affect absorption or increase loss, for example chronic diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, type 2 diabetes, or chronic kidney disease.
  • If you take medications known to lower magnesium or have concerns about dietary intake, ask your healthcare provider about serum magnesium or a more detailed panel.

Lifestyle tips to protect magnesium status

  • Manage stress through techniques that work for you such as breathing exercises, meditation, or gentle movement.
  • Prioritize sleep and recovery to allow metabolic repair processes that rely on magnesium.
  • Keep alcohol intake moderate and limit highly processed foods and sugary beverages.
  • Maintain regular physical activity and replace electrolytes after prolonged or intense exercise if sweating heavily.

PlexusDx provides educational information about genetic variations and how they may relate to health and wellness. This content is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, medications, or lifestyle based on genetic information. Your provider can interpret these results in the context of your medical history and current health.