Metabolic syndrome is a clustering of different risk factors that collectively increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The syndrome itself is associated with various metabolic abnormalities, including insulin resistance, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obstructive sleep apnoea, male hypogonadism and polycystic ovary syndrome. This review aims to discuss recent developments related to the syndrome, including the associated metabolic complications and goals for therapeutic strategies.