Vitamin D is an essential factor for many organ systems. Data suggest that vitamin D is required for normal insulin secretion by the pancreas. Specifically, animal studies demonstrate that treatment of vitamin D deficiency improves insulin secretion. In humans, there is less consensus about the impact of vitamin D deficiency on insulin resistance. In one study of middle-aged patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, no association was seen between serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D levels and a measure of insulin resistance. However, in a larger study of younger glucose tolerant subjects, serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D levels were associated with both insulin secretion and insulin resistance. These data suggest that treatment of vitamin D deficiency may delay or prevent the development of insulin resistance, and thus diabetes mellitus type 2. Repletion of this common vitamin deficiency could therefore have major public health implications for the prevention of diabetes mellitus.