CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Nancy Drescher, pharmacist at Fruth Pharmacy on Oakwood Road answered these questions on vitamins.

Q: What vitamins do you recommend for the average, healthy person?

A: If you eat a relatively well-balanced diet, a good multivitamin with minerals such as Centrum is smart.

Q: Name-brand vs. generic?

A: I don't think there is much difference, but it's a personal preference. By and large, the generics are fine."

Q: What about specific formulas (women's, seniors, men's, etc.)?

A: These pump up certain areas, and if your doctor recommends it, then it's right to do. The more you add, often the bigger the tablet, and some people can't swallow larger tablets.

Try taking a multivitamin with minerals and then layering additional single ingredients for specific needs. Women should take 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day.

Q: Children's vitamins?

A: These are appropriate for ages 2 to 6. Past that, it's not necessary if they eat a balanced diet. Sometimes, mid-teens, particularly girls, don't eat enough or don't eat right, so they need to have them. Teenage girls need the calcium, (600 milligrams). When kids go off to college, (at 18, when they have true adult bodies), I recommend sending them with a bottle of vitamins because their eating habits change.

Q: What vitamins do you take?

A: In addition to a multivitamin with mineral, I take fish oil (for my bad knees), magnesium to help with pre-arthritis, and calcium.

Q: What vitamins do you recommend for the average, healthy person?

A: If you eat a relatively well-balanced diet, a good multivitamin with minerals such as Centrum is smart.

Q: Name-brand vs. generic?

A: I don't think there is much difference, but it's a personal preference. By and large, the generics are fine."

Q: What about specific formulas (women's, seniors, men's, etc.)?

A: These pump up certain areas, and if your doctor recommends it, then it's right to do. The more you add, often the bigger the tablet, and some people can't swallow larger tablets.

Try taking a multivitamin with minerals and then layering additional single ingredients for specific needs. Women should take 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day.

Q: Children's vitamins?

A: These are appropriate for ages 2 to 6. Past that, it's not necessary if they eat a balanced diet. Sometimes, mid-teens, particularly girls, don't eat enough or don't eat right, so they need to have them. Teenage girls need the calcium, (600 milligrams). When kids go off to college, (at 18, when they have true adult bodies), I recommend sending them with a bottle of vitamins because their eating habits change.

Q: What vitamins do you take?

A: In addition to a multivitamin with mineral, I take fish oil (for my bad knees), magnesium to help with pre-arthritis, and calcium.