### Can Vitamin D Supplements Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes? Despite earlier studies suggesting that vitamin D might help prevent type 2 diabetes, a major new study has found that this is not the case. The study, known as D2d, was published in June 2019 in The New England Journal of Medicine. It involved 2,423 participants who were at risk for diabetes. They were randomly assigned to take either a 4,000 IU vitamin D pill daily or a placebo pill. Over two to five years, researchers monitored the development of diabetes in these participants. The results showed that taking vitamin D did not significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. While fewer people taking the vitamin D supplement developed diabetes compared to the placebo group (24.2% vs. 26.7%), the difference was not statistically significant. The study's findings suggest that vitamin D supplementation does not provide a substantial benefit in preventing type 2 diabetes in people who already have sufficient levels of vitamin D. However, it may still be beneficial for those who are deficient in vitamin D. For those looking to prevent type 2 diabetes, proven lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and regular exercise are recommended. A healthy diet includes fresh, whole foods rich in nutrients and low in processed foods high in unhealthy fats, sugars, and sodium. Regular exercise should include both strength training and cardiovascular activities, totaling at least 2.5 hours per week. The research on vitamin D and its effects on other health conditions, such as heart disease and cancer, is ongoing. While vitamin D may not significantly reduce diabetes risk, it could have other health benefits that are still being explored.