Vitamin D may help to reduce the risk of developing type-2 diabetes.

Vitamin D is rapidly becoming one of the most studied vitamins of our time. These studies have indicated that vitamin D is closely linked with several aspects of human health and survival. A new meta-analysis (collective review and analysis of previous studies) published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (July 2011), reported finding a clear correlation between vitamin D intake of greater than 500 IU per day and a 13% reduced risk for developing type-2 diabetes. It was also noted that those individuals with the highest blood levels of vitamin D (>25 ng/dl) had a 43% lower risk of developing type-2 diabetes than
those individuals with the lowest blood levels (<14 ng/ml). This research review shows that vitamin D may play a role in the development and progression of type 2 diabetes; however, more high quality studies will be needed to find how and to what extent it may be used in the course of this health-related condition.

To read more on this study:
http://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/ejcn2011118a.html