Metabolic syndrome is a round-up with at least three of the five following medical conditions: abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high serum triglycerides and low serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Metabolic syndrome is associated with the risk of progressing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. In the U.S., about a quarter of the adult population has metabolic syndrome and the prevalence increases with age, with racial and ethnic minorities being particularly affected.