Is Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Genetic?
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the accumulation of excess fat in the liver of people who drink little or no alcohol. It can progress to liver inflammation, fibrosis, and cirrhosis.
Affects ~1 in 4 adults globally.
Genetic Factors Behind Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Research has identified multiple genetic variants that influence a person's susceptibility to Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. While no single gene determines whether someone will develop this condition, specific variants can increase or decrease risk. Key genes studied in relation to Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease include:
PNPLA3TM6SF2NCANHSD17B13PNPLA3PNPLA3 has been associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in genetic studies; as with most common variants, its individual effect is modest and works alongside many other genetic and non-genetic factors.
TM6SF2TM6SF2 has been associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in genetic studies; as with most common variants, its individual effect is modest and works alongside many other genetic and non-genetic factors.
NCANNCAN has been associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in genetic studies; as with most common variants, its individual effect is modest and works alongside many other genetic and non-genetic factors.
HSD17B13HSD17B13 has been associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in genetic studies; as with most common variants, its individual effect is modest and works alongside many other genetic and non-genetic factors.
How GenomeInsight Analyzes Your Risk
GenomeInsight examines your raw DNA data from services like 23andMe, AncestryDNA, or whole-genome sequencing (VCF files) to identify genetic variants associated with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. The analysis is performed entirely in your browser, meaning your genetic data never leaves your device.
For each relevant variant, GenomeInsight reports your genotype, the associated risk allele, the odds ratio from published research, and your overall risk profile compared to the general population. Results are presented with easy-to-understand risk visualizations and percentile rankings.
Genetic risk is only one piece of the puzzle. Lifestyle, diet, environment, and family history all contribute to overall risk. GenomeInsight's analysis is for informational and educational purposes and is not a medical diagnosis.
Understanding Your Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Results
After uploading your DNA file, you will receive a detailed health risk report covering 52 conditions, including Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. For each condition, GenomeInsight analyzes multiple SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) and calculates a combined risk assessment.
Your results will show whether you carry risk-increasing or protective alleles in genes like PNPLA3, TM6SF2, NCAN, and HSD17B13. Risk levels range from "Below Average" to "Significantly Increased," with population percentile comparisons to contextualize your results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Which genes are linked to Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease has been associated with PNPLA3, TM6SF2, NCAN, HSD17B13 in genome-wide association studies. No single variant causes the condition — genetic susceptibility is the sum of many small effects.
If I carry risk variants, will I develop Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?
Carrying risk alleles raises probability, not certainty. Most common conditions arise from genes interacting with lifestyle and environment over decades, so a higher genetic risk score is best used as motivation for the relevant screening and prevention measures, not as a prediction.
What DNA data do I need for this analysis?
Any standard consumer-genetics raw file (23andMe, AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, FamilyTreeDNA, or VCF from sequencing) contains the relevant variants. Analysis runs locally on your device, so your genetic data stays private.
Related Conditions That Share These Genes
Variants in the same genes often influence more than one condition. These conditions overlap genetically with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease:
Sources & Further Reading
The risk associations described on this page come from published genome-wide association studies and curated public genomic databases. Explore the primary sources for each gene:
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Discover Your Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Risk Profile
Upload your 23andMe, AncestryDNA, or VCF file for a free, privacy-first genetic analysis covering Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and 51 other health conditions.
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