Is MASH hereditary?

While diet and exercise will impact your risk of developing and progressing MASH, certain genes may also influence the risk

2 min read |

Liselotte Schjerning, Denmark, living with MASH

Family history and MASH

It has been shown that MASH (formerly known as NASH) is most common amongst people with pre-existing conditions including obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels¹.

If any of these conditions run in your family, you could be at a risk of developing MASH and should speak with your healthcare provider.

Could your genes increase fat production in the liver?

Some genes play a role in how our bodies handle fat, and some have been shown to increase the risk of developing fatty liver disease.

One of the most important is the PNPLA3 gene. This gene is found in both fat cells and liver cells, and it is responsible for helping break down fats².

However, some people have a variation of this gene that makes it less effective, leading to a buildup of fat in the liver.

In some cases this can contribute to MASH, formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH) and MASLD, formerly known as metabolic (dysfunction) associated fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Other genes like TM6SF2³ and MBOAT7 have also been linked to fatty liver disease⁴. Scientists are studying these genes to learn more about the disease and develop new treatments.

Liselotte Schjerning, Denmark, living with MASH

Reduce your risk

Genetic disposition or not, remember that the best course of action to slow the development of MASLD or MASH is to adopt positive lifestyle changes.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, with regular exercise and a well-balanced diet, is the best method to reduce fat build-up in the liver⁵.

MASH and MASLD are updated terms for conditions previously known as NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) and NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). Similarly, "steatotic liver disease" is the current term for what was once called "fatty liver disease".

P Paschos, Non alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2633261/ Last accessed: August 2024
Paola Dongiovanni, Genetic Predisposition in NAFLD and NASH: Impact on Severity of Liver Disease and Response to Treatment: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3850262/  Last accessed: August 2024
Fei Luo, TM6SF2: A Novel Genetic Player in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver and Cardiovascular Disease:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8870032/ Last accessed: August 2024
Martin C. Sharpe, Enhancing Hepatic MBOAT7 Expression in Mice With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10249591/ Last accessed: August 2024
Fabrizia Carli, Lipid Metabolism in MASLD and MASH: from mechanism to the clinic: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589555924001897 Last accessed: October 2024

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