Further studies are necessary in order to conclude a causal association between the consumption of monosodium L-glutamate (MSG) and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the rural Thai population.

: Please see related articles and author responses: http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com/content/9/1/50http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com/content/10/1/10http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com/content/10/1/13 ABSTRACT: The article entitled "Monosodium glutamate (MSG) intake is associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a rural Thai population", concluded that higher amounts of individual's MSG consumption are associated with the risk of having the metabolic syndrome and being overweight independent of other major determinants. However, this epidemiological study is the only study indicating such a relationship between MSG intake and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and there is no direct supporting evidence for a causal relationship between MSG intake and prevalence of metabolic syndrome. This study does not indicate that MSG causes metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, there are several questionable points concerning study methods. Further carefully designed studies taking into account all glutamate sources are necessary to demonstrate the relationship between overweight, metabolic syndrome, MSG intake and umami sensitivity.