Magnesium | CNNM2 (rs12413409)

How CNNM2 and Magnesium Affect Your Health

Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in more than 300 biochemical processes, including muscle and nerve function, blood sugar regulation, immune support, and bone health. The CNNM2 gene helps manage magnesium levels by producing a protein that assists with magnesium transport, especially in the kidneys. The kidneys control magnesium balance by reabsorbing it into the bloodstream. Variations in CNNM2 can change how efficiently your body maintains magnesium, which can influence blood pressure and cardiovascular risk.

Why this matters

Magnesium supports healthy muscle contraction and relaxation, helps regulate heart rhythm, and plays a role in vascular tone and blood pressure. If your body handles magnesium more or less efficiently because of a genetic variant in CNNM2, that can nudge your risk for hypertension and heart disease up or down. Regardless of genotype, diet, lifestyle, medications, and medical conditions all shape magnesium status.

Practical goals

• Support steady magnesium intake from food first.
• Be aware of medications and conditions that affect magnesium.
• Consider testing if you have symptoms or risk factors for low magnesium.
• Talk with your healthcare provider before starting supplements.

Genetic Interpretations

Dietary Recommendations

Aim to meet magnesium needs primarily through whole foods. Foods rich in magnesium also provide fiber, minerals, and phytonutrients that support overall health.

• Leafy green vegetables: spinach, Swiss chard, kale
• Nuts and seeds: almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds
• Whole grains: brown rice, quinoa, oats
• Legumes: black beans, lentils, chickpeas
• Fish: salmon, mackerel
• Avocado, bananas, and dark chocolate in moderation

Supplement Guidance

Supplementation can be helpful when dietary intake is inadequate or when health conditions increase magnesium loss. Talk with your healthcare provider before starting supplements, especially if you take medications or have kidney disease.

• Common forms: magnesium citrate, magnesium glycinate, magnesium oxide. Citrate and glycinate are often better absorbed and gentler on digestion than oxide.
• Dosing: typical supplemental doses range from 100 mg to 400 mg daily depending on diet, symptoms, and medical advice.
• Timing: take magnesium with food if digestive upset occurs. Evening dosing may help with sleep and muscle relaxation for some people.
• Watch for signs of excess: very high doses can cause diarrhea and, in severe cases, abnormal heart rhythm. Those with kidney impairment should only supplement under medical supervision.

Lifestyle and Medication Considerations

• Limit excess alcohol. Alcohol increases urinary magnesium loss and can reduce absorption.
• Manage stress. Chronic stress can alter magnesium levels through hormonal pathways.
• Exercise regularly. Physical activity supports cardiovascular health and metabolic function, but heavy sweating without electrolyte replacement can increase magnesium needs.
• Review medications with your provider. Diuretics, proton pump inhibitors, certain antibiotics, and some cancer therapies can lower magnesium.
• Maintain healthy kidney function. Kidneys regulate magnesium. Conditions that impair kidney function will change how magnesium should be managed.

When to Consider Blood Tests

Serum magnesium is a common test but may not reflect total body magnesium because most magnesium is inside cells or bone. Discuss testing with your provider if you have:

• Unexplained muscle cramps, weakness, or twitching
• Irregular heartbeat or palpitations
• Persistent low potassium or low calcium despite treatment
• Chronic diarrhea or malabsorption
• Use of medications that affect magnesium

Other Considerations

• Balance minerals. Calcium, potassium, and vitamin D interact with magnesium. Aim for an overall balanced approach rather than high single nutrient doses.
• Age and life stage. Older adults and pregnant people can have higher magnesium needs. Discuss individualized targets with a healthcare provider.
• Symptoms vs genetics. Your genotype provides a predisposition but not a diagnosis. Symptoms, labs, and clinical context matter more when making health decisions.

Summary and Next Steps

Your CNNM2 genotype gives insight into how your body may manage magnesium and how that could influence blood pressure and heart health. Whether your result suggests a decreased genetic risk or typical regulation, the same practical actions help support magnesium status: eat magnesium rich foods, review medications and conditions that impact magnesium, consider testing if symptomatic, and consult your healthcare provider before starting supplements.

PlexusDx does not provide medical advice. This information is educational only. Always consult with your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment recommendations tailored to your health history and current medications.