Ep 154 Folic Acid vs. Folate: Why the Controversy? with Dr. Prati Sharma
Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine
Release Date: 12/16/2025
Ep 160 Age, Fertility, and Pregnancy: What’s Possible and What’s Safe
Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine
Can you really get pregnant after menopause? Why do celebrities seem to defy biology when it comes to age and fertility? And just because pregnancy is possible at later ages, is it actually safe? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine explores the questions so many people are quietly asking as they navigate fertility, aging, and family-building decisions. Dr. Shahine breaks down what the science actually says about age and fertility, including why it becomes harder to conceive with age, how eggs and sperm age differently, and what role options like IVF, egg freezing,...
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Ep 159 How Your Genetics Can Guide Your Nutrition with Dr. Steven Zeisel
Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine
Could your DNA explain why one-size-fits-all nutrition advice doesn’t always work? Why do some people thrive on certain diets while others struggle, even when they’re “doing everything right”? What if your genetics could help guide smarter nutrition choices before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and across your entire lifespan? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine explores how genetics, nutrition, and reproductive health are deeply intertwined. She is joined by Dr. Steven Zeisel, a physician-scientist whose groundbreaking research helped redefine choline as an...
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Ep 158 How a C-section May Impact Your Future Fertility: What the Evidence Shows
Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine
Have you had a C-section and now you’re wondering if it could affect future conception? Are you planning one and feeling unsure how it may influence your reproductive health? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine goes beyond headlines and reviews a landmark study to better understand how C-sections may impact future fertility, miscarriage rates, and pregnancy complications. This episode will arm you with three essential questions to ask your provider and help you make informed decisions and have empowered conversations, all grounded in clarity, not fear. In...
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Ep 157 Why Sleep Is the Most Powerful Health Habit You Can't Ignore with Dr. Meredith Broderick
Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine
Are you exhausted but still can’t sleep through the night? Do you wake up feeling unrefreshed, foggy, or wired-tired no matter how early you go to bed? Could your sleep habits—or an undiagnosed sleep disorder—be quietly impacting your hormones, mental health, fertility, and long-term wellbeing? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine and her guest, Dr. Meredith Broderick, invite you to rethink everything you’ve been told about sleep and why “pushing through” exhaustion is not a badge of honor. Dr. Broderick shares how her own experience with sleep...
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Ep 156 The Fertility Reset: How You Can Eat, Exercise, and Maximize Your Reproductive Health for the New Year
Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine
How can you give yourself the best chance of conceiving in the year ahead? Which habits truly influence fertility? And when is it appropriate to seek additional support or consult a specialist? In this New Year episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine shares a practical and compassionate Fertility Reset—a clear roadmap for anyone preparing to conceive or looking for guidance after months of trying. She reviews the foundations of cycle tracking and timed intercourse, strategies for reducing harmful exposures, and lifestyle and nutrition changes that can support reproductive health....
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Ep 155 Miscarriage and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: Is IVF the right step for you?
Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine
Is IVF the answer for recurrent pregnancy loss? Why would IVF with genetic testing of embryo be helpful for people that are ‘getting’ pregnant but can ‘stay’ pregnant? In this educational episode, Dr. Lora Shahine explains the complex relationship between IVF, genetics, and recurrent pregnancy loss. She reviews the science behind why chromosomal imbalances are one of the most common causes of first-trimester miscarriage and discusses how preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) may help select embryos with the highest chance of success for some patients. Through...
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Ep 154 Folic Acid vs. Folate: Why the Controversy? with Dr. Prati Sharma
Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine
Are you confused about prenatal vitamins? Wondering whether folic acid or folate is best? And what about those MTHFR conversations on the internet? Should you be worried? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine is asking the questions so many people have but rarely get clear answers to. Her guest is fertility expert Dr. Prati Sharma who is here to address the fear, the science, and the nuance behind one of the most debated supplements in pregnancy health. Folate and folic acid may sound interchangeable, but as Dr. Shahine and Dr. Sharma explain, the topic gets...
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Ep 153 Holiday Shopping Guide Ideas from Dr. Lora Shahine
Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine
Have you ever wondered what meaningful, supportive gifts look like when someone you love is navigating infertility or a fertility journey? How can you shop with intention, without the toxins, overwhelm, or “one-size-fits-all” gifting? Ready to treat someone special (especially yourself)? In this episode of Brave and Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine invites you into holiday joy with courage, compassion, and thoughtful connection, all through the lens of reproductive health and emotional well-being. She is sharing a curated list of gift ideas specifically designed with the fertility...
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Ep 152 The Brains and Uterus Behind Shecanter: Erica Loring’s Bold Take on Women’s Health and Humor
Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine
What happens when chronic endometriosis meets fierce advocacy and a wicked sense of humor? What if your most painful experiences become the catalyst for empowering others? And how does a uterus-shaped wine decanter become a national conversation piece for women’s reproductive health? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine chats with Erica Loring, the self-declared “brains and uterus behind Shecanter,” to talk about turning pain into purpose and stigma into laughter. Erica shares her deeply personal health journey, from fainting spells through high-school to...
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Ep 151 Surviving the Holidays While Dealing with Infertility and Miscarriage
Brave & Curious with Dr. Lora Shahine
What if you could walk into every holiday gathering feeling grounded instead of guarded? How would it feel to have a plan when the nosy fertility questions inevitably come your way? And what if you could protect your emotional well-being while enjoying the holidays full of joy and with boundaries intact? In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine tackles the complicated reality of holiday conversations, fertility questions, and family-building pressure. Listeners will learn practical, empowering tools for navigating holiday gatherings with confidence: how to identify...
info_outlineAre you confused about prenatal vitamins? Wondering whether folic acid or folate is best? And what about those MTHFR conversations on the internet? Should you be worried?
In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine is asking the questions so many people have but rarely get clear answers to. Her guest is fertility expert Dr. Prati Sharma who is here to address the fear, the science, and the nuance behind one of the most debated supplements in pregnancy health.
Folate and folic acid may sound interchangeable, but as Dr. Shahine and Dr. Sharma explain, the topic gets complicated fast — especially once genetics, supplements, and internet opinions enter the chat.
Together they explain the definitions, evidence-based guidelines, genetic polymorphisms like MTHFR, and how the supplement market (and sometimes fear-based messaging) can mislead patients.
Listeners will hear balanced, thoughtful insight rooted in reproductive endocrinology, science-backed recommendations, and compassionate care, not panic or overwhelm. And most importantly, you’ll leave feeling calmer, more empowered, and equipped with the right questions instead of fear.
In this episode you’ll hear:
- [1:25] Why is folate vs. folic acid such a heated topic?
- [3:37] What is folate?
- [4:067 What is folic acid?
- [5:35] MTHFR gene variant explained
- [6:40] The history & science behind the recommendations
- [9:58] How much folic acid do you actually need?
- [12:56] What newer studies show
- [20:23] How to choose a prenatal
- [28:06] Final takeaways and connecting with Dr. Sharma
Resources mentioned:
createivf.com/about/prati-sharma-fertility-doctor
ABOG Folic Acid Recommendations
Review from Integrative Medicine Journal
Dr. Shahine’s Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations
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