Metabolic syndrome is not really one disease, but a collection of several risk factors for heart disease and diabetes that includes abdominal obesity, high blood sugar, high triglyceride levels, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure. There are also slightly different definitions of metabolic syndrome according to different organisations such as the International Diabetes Federation, the American Heart Association and the World Health Organisation.

The treatment of metabolic syndrome involves reducing the different risk factors through a combination of lifestyle changes, diet and medication. The key parts of treatment are implementation of lifestyle and dietary changes for weight loss, treatment of high levels of triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and increasing the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and treatment of high blood pressure (see table below).

In many people (but not all) it is possible to reverse metabolic syndrome. For example, losing weight and increasing exercise/activity has been shown to be an effective way to get rid of metabolic syndrome. In one study, 38% of people with metabolic syndrome who lost weight, followed a healthy diet and exercised frequently (without taking any medication) were free of metabolic syndrome after 3 years.

Summary of international recommendations for treating metabolic syndrome including adjustments for appropriate Asian adult body mass index and waist circumference

References
Samson SL and Garber AJ. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2014 Mar;43(1):1-23.
WHO expert consultation. Lancet. 2004 Jan 10;363(9403):157-63.