photo from Doshi

Corkor is a Portuguese company that sells women’s and men’s belts made out of cork. They deliver worldwide.

https://www.corkor.com/collections/womens-cork-belts

https://www.corkor.com/collections/mens-cork-belts

Couch offers belts for men and women in America.

https://www.couchguitarstraps.com/belts-bags/vegan-belts

Doshi is an American company that sells both men’s and women’s belts.

https://doshi.shop/collections/belts

https://doshi.shop/collections/womens-belts-vegan

Ethical Wares is a company in Wales, UK. They sell a variety of belts and deliver worldwide. https://www.ethicalwares.com/accessories/belts/

Freerangers is a British company offering belts in several colors.

https://www.freerangers.co.uk/belts

Kat Mendenhall is an American company selling belts in various colors. You also get to choose the type of non-leather grain you want your belt to be made out of.

https://katmendenhall.com/product-category/belts/

MooShoes is an American company selling a variety of belts.

https://www.mooshoes.com/collections/belts

Nae is a Portuguese company that ships belts worldwide.

https://www.nae-vegan.com/en/accessories/belts_619-468.html

Nomadic State of Mind is an American company that sells belts made out of rope.

https://shop.nomadicstateofmind.com/category-s/165.htm

Truth Belts is a Canadian company that specializes in belts for men and women.

https://truthbelts.com/

Vegan Chic is an American company that sells belts for men and women.

https://www.veganchic.com/vegan+belts/search.aspx

Veganline is a British company that sells belts in different colors and with different buckles and ships to various countries.

https://veganline.com/belts

Vegan Scene is an American company that sells belts for women and men in various colors.

https://veganscene.com/collections/belts

Vegetarian Shoes is a British company selling a variety of vegan belts.

https://www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk/accessories/belts/10043_0c.html

The Vegetarian Site is an American company selling a wide variety of belts.

https://store.thevegetariansite.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=96

By Reed Mangels PhD, RD

Atrial fibrillation, Afib for short, is an irregular heart rhythm. Some people with this condition have no symptoms; others may notice a rapid heartbeat, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Afib increases the risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart failure. It may be treated with medications, procedures, or surgery. Some studies have found that people with higher intakes of omega-3 fats from fish have a lower risk of Afib (1); however, large doses of fish-derived omega-3 fats have been associated with a higher risk of Afib (2). Many people don’t eat fish or use fish oil. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is an omega-3 fat that is found in foods including green leafy vegetables, flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, and canola oil. Could ALA reduce the risk of Afib? Researchers from Denmark were interested in exploring this question.

What is the study?

The study (3) included more than 54,000 middle-aged Danish adults. At the beginning of the study, the investigators assessed the subjects’ intake of ALA and of omega-3 fats from fish based on the subjects’ records of what they ate. They were followed for a median of 17 years to see which subjects developed Afib over that time period.

What did this study find?

During the follow-up period, there were 4,902 Afib events. The researchers found that subjects eating low amounts of omega-3 fats from fish and higher amounts of ALA (more than about 1.8 grams of ALA per day) had a modestly lower risk of Afib. There was no relation between higher intake of omega-3 fats from fish and Afib. In other words, for middle-age people not eating fish or not eating much fish, higher intakes of ALA were associated with a reduced risk of Afib.

Are there practical implications?

This study suggests that middle-aged vegans and other vegetarians, as well as others who avoid or limit fish, may benefit from higher intakes of ALA to reduce the risk of Afib. Subjects with lower risk of Afib had ALA intakes of 1.8 grams per day or more – this is about the amount of ALA in 3 Tablespoons of walnuts, 2-1/2 teaspoons of chia seeds, a Tablespoon of ground flaxseeds, 1¼ cups of firm tofu, 1½ Tablespoons of canola oil, or ¾ teaspoon of flaxseed oil.

Interestingly, other studies have found that higher intakes of ALA are associated with a lower risk of sudden death, narrowing and blockage of the coronary arteries, and events related to blockage of arteries such as strokes and heart attacks but only in those with low intakes of omega-3 fatty acids from fish (4, 5). It seems prudent for vegans to eat foods that are good sources of ALA regularly.

References:

1. Bork CS, Myhre PL, Schmidt EB. Do omega-3 fatty acids increase risk of atrial fibrillation? Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2023;26:78-82.
2. Fatkin D, Cox CD, Martinac B. Fishing for links between omega-3 fatty acids and atrial fibrillation. Circulation. 2022;145:1037-1039.
3. Bork CS, Larsen JM, Lundbye-Christensen S, et al. Plant omega-3 fatty acids may lower risk of atrial fibrillation in individuals with a low intake of marine omega-3 fatty acids. J Nutr. 2024; 154:2827-2833.
4. Mozaffarian D, Ascherio A, Hu FB, et al. Interplay between different polyunsaturated fatty acids and risk of coronary heart disease in men. Circulation. 2005;111:157-164.
5. Bork CS, Lundbye-Christensen S, Venø SK, et al. Plant n-3 PUFA intake may lower the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease only among subjects with a low intake of marine n-3 PUFAs. Eur J Nutr. 2022;61:557-559.

To read more about omega-3 fats see:

Omega-3’s?

Omega-3’s in Flax

Are you looking for new ways to prepare cauliflower? Dina Gharib’s article “The Versatile Vegan” offers recipes for Pineapple Cauliflower Fried “Rice,” Cauliflower Crust Pizza, and Creamy Cauliflower Soup. See: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2015issue3/2015_issue3_versatile_vegan.php

Subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only by visiting https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

Halloween Minis – Variety 4 Pack – No Whey Chocolate

Are you looking for places to purchase vegan candy and other treats for Halloween? Here’s some online sources that sell vegan goodies with a Halloween theme, as well as items sold in stores:

Lake champlain Chocolates Vegan Salted Caramel Pumpkins, Dark Chocolate Squares, and more.

Natural Candy Store Variety of chocolate, lollipops, and more.

No Whey Chocolate Spooky Kookies, Fear Knot Pretzles, and a wide variety of vegan chocolates that are allergy-friendly as well.

Unreal Variety of bars, cups, and gems.

Yum Earth Organic lollipops, as well as hard candies.

Be sure to follow The Vegetarian Resource Group on Instagram: @vegetarianresourcegroup

Share this handy poster with family and friends. You can also print it out and post it on your refrigerator. See: https://www.vrg.org/nutshell/VeganDietsinaNutshellPoster.pdf

Chili Cracker and Creamy Chili Dip photos by Linda Tyler

Linda Tyler’s article “Chili & Chill” in an issue of Vegan Journal serves up a wide variety of dishes including Chili Crackers; Creamy Chili Dip; Creamy Chili and Spaghetti Squash Casserole; Chili-Spiced Roasted Ratatouille; Go-To Vegan Chili; and Chili Cornbread Pie.

Find the article with recipes here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2022issue1/2022_issue1_chilly_and_chill.php

To subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA, see: https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

Vegan Journal is published by The Vegetarian Resource Group. Enjoy in-depth original research, product and book reviews, scientific updates on veggie nutrition, delicious vegan recipes with gorgeous photos, plus so much more. Both long-term vegans and those new to a vegan life-style will enjoy this magazine.

To subscribe in the USA only, see: https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

photo from Toms

Are you searching for non-leather vegan shoes for children? If so, you may want to check out some of these online sites:

• Pediped: Offers a large selection of vegan shoes for kids of all ages that can be shipped internationally. https://www.pediped.com/vegan
• Softstar: Offers moccasin-like ramblers made from soft vegan Ultrasuede with rubber soles. They are available in baby and youth sizes. https://www.softstarshoes.com/child-youth-vegan-rambler.html
• Ten Little Shoes: Offers vegan shoes for kids. https://tenlittle.com/
• Tom’s: Sells vegan shoes for children worldwide. Search under the world vegan. www.toms.com/us/kids/shoes
• Vegan Chic: Offers a few options for children including The Kid’s Ramos by Keep. https://www.veganchic.com/kids/vegan+shoes/search.aspx

How often have you wanted to make a gift in honor of a loved one or friend but weren’t sure which charities are vegan-friendly, pro-environmental, or pro-animal rights? Please remember The Vegetarian Resource Group. You can make a gift in memory of a loved one or as a living tribute to honor someone you care about on a special occasion, such as a wedding or birth. We’ll send an acknowledgment to you and to the recipient(s) you choose. Your gift will support educational programs and help promote veganism.

Donate at vrg.org/donate or make checks payable to The Vegetarian Resource Group and mail to PO Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203.