Irene Hogan

Irene is a Certified Menopause Practitioner and a Consultant, Nutritional & Compounding Pharmacist.  She has a B. Pharm. Hons. RPh.  and is employed by Rexall in Hamilton (formerly Day Night Pharmacy).  Irene has won several awards for her work, including the 2007 OPA (Ontario Pharmacists Association) Award.   

Irene spoke to the club on chronic disease management and lifestyle changes that can enhance quality of life.   For example, the addition of Vitamin B to the diet helps prevent cardiovascular disease, as does a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fibre vegetables, and potassium.  In regard to Vitamin B, Irene noted that Vitamin B6, B12 and Folic Acid helps lower homocystene which has been identified as a precursor for cardiovascular disease, and that Omega 3 oil decreases the risk of unstable angina or heart attack and helps stabilize heart irregularities.   Irene stressed the importance of daily physical activity to help decrease high blood pressure.  She told of the importance of Vitamin D in cancer prevention.

 For menopausal symptoms in women, Irene advised of the addition of soy isoflavones to the diet. For male prostrate problems, Irene recommended Lypocene which is one of the most commonly-found carotenoids in the human body and is an antioxidant that gives tomatoes and certain other fruits and vegetables their color. Foods that have particularly high concentrations of lypocene include tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit, papaya, and rosehip . Interestingly, processed tomato products like tomato paste, canned tomatoes, tomato juices, sauces, soups, and ketchup have the highest amounts of lycopene.  Irene Hogan can be contacted at ihogan@rexall.ca