For type 2 diabetes (T2D) this may be the case, according to a publication by researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine.
T2D is known to be caused by genetic and environmental factors, however documenting these interactions can be difficult. Using a combination of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and an environment-wide association study (EWAS), the researchers were able to identify a link between beta carotene (Pro-vitamin A) and c-tocopherol (Vitamin E) and T2D. Beta carotene seems to help protect against it and c-tocopherol seems to have a negative effect.
The researchers do acknowledge though that beta carotene levels are also correlated with fruit and vegetable consumption, while Vitamin E levels are predominantly in foods with high fatty acid contents.
The publication is open access and available on the Springer Link website.