As a kid, popping a single chewy, sugary multivitamin alongside breakfast was easy. But as an adult, navigating the world of vitamin supplements is more complicated. The sheer number of options available at the store, combined with confusing labels and a lack of nutrition knowledge, can turn the simple task of bettering your health into a seemingly impossible feat.

That’s why we chatted with two experts to help clear up the vitamin confusion. Read on to learn what vitamins are, why they’re important and what role they play in a healthy diet.