Taking vitamin D at age 60 can reduce the chances of a heart attack by up to a fifth, according to a new study.
In the largest trial of its kind, people who took the supplements had 19 percent fewer heart attacks than those who took a placebo.
Also, people taking vitamin D reduced their chances of needing heart surgery.
While vitamin D is known to protect bones and muscles, research on its effects on heart and circulatory health has been more limited.
In this study, 21,315 Australians, aged 60-84, were given either vitamin D tablets or a placebo every month for up to 5 years.
The researchers then examined hospital records for any cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks and strokes.
During the trial, 1,336 participants experienced a cardiovascular problem, and the heart attack rate was 19 percent lower in the vitamin D group.
Vitamin D is a type of vitamin that the human body obtains from the diet and produces when exposed to sunlight.
The authors concluded that these findings show the importance of vitamin D in preventing heart problems.