Our Approach to Patient Care
At SIBO Testing Center, LLC, we specialize in providing accurate SIBO testing solutions. Our team includes experienced professionals committed to your health. Our lead physician, Dr. Curto, ensures quality care, while our clinical director oversees operations. Together, we strive to deliver exceptional service and support for your health journey.
Dr. Crane Holmes, Lab Director
Dr. Crane Holmes is the owner and Laboratory Director of the SIBO Testing Center, specializing in lactulose breath testing for hydrogen and methane-producing SIBO since 2019. With over 10 years of experience treating SIBO clinically, Dr. Holmes oversees the center’s laboratory operations, testing protocols, quality control, equipment calibration, and interpretation of testing procedures. He supervises the laboratory technicians and physicians and is responsible for maintaining the center’s clinical and laboratory standards. Dr. Holmes also provides consultation and support to referring naturopathic doctors, medical doctors, and osteopathic physicians when additional expertise in SIBO testing or interpretation is needed.
Dr. Jenny Curto, Lead Physician
The SIBO Testing Center’s naturopathic practitioner, Dr. Jenny Curto, specializes in SIBO Treatment
Dr. Curto believes that SIBO can have a major impact on one’s health and treatments need to address the cause. Most SIBO patients have a history of gastrointestinal issues like abdominal bloating, change of bowel habits, heartburn, abdominal pain, brain fog, and inability to tolerate many foods. If SIBO is affecting one’s health, here is his approach.
Dr. Curto is a naturopathic physician and licensed acupuncturist with advanced training in digestive health through a two-year residency at Kwan Yin Healing Arts. She specializes in the evaluation and treatment of complex gastrointestinal conditions with additional special interest in POTS, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Mast Cell Activation.
Thanks to internet resources, many people have tried various diets, supplements, and medications with varying degrees of relief, but for the most part, symptoms return. Not all treatments are created equal, and diets do not always cure digestive complaints. Research also shows that after 3 months of following a low FODMAP diet, our gut microbiome becomes even more unbalanced which can cause similar GI symptoms to SIBO.
The most important part of treating SIBO is addressing why overgrowth happened in the first place. Without understanding and treating the underlying risk factors, SIBO will come back. Dr. Curto takes the time to dive deep into the why and provides time to explain how different risk factors can lead to developing overgrowth. With this unique understanding, she achieves much quicker health outcomes and resolution of GI symptoms.
Dr. Curto recognizes that dietary changes can be difficult and stressful. Food is meant to be enjoyed, especially in social situations. Proper digestion is influenced by the rest and digest influence of the vagal nerve. Stress -whether from work, relationships, strenuous exercise, food fears, or running from a saber-toothed tiger- can trigger the same fight-or-flight response, which can impair digestion. The goal during SIBO treatment is to not overly restrict food choices and to maintain quality of life while still achieving good health outcomes and promoting rest and digest.
She also believes that herbal treatment protocols can be as effective as pharmaceutical protocols for the treatment of SIBO. Herbs are less specific for treating bacteria, unlike antibiotics which treat specific strains of bacteria. Small intestine overgrowth isn’t always just bacterial overgrowth, so using herbal therapies or a mixture of pharmaceutical and herbal therapies can produce better outcomes. It is important to remember that not all supplements are created equally. Some are much safer and much more effective than others. It is important to consult with a doctor who specializes in SIBO before initiating treatment on your own.
During a new patient visit, Dr. Curto will take the time to understand one’s full health history, treatments tried, risk factors for developing SIBO, and create a specific treatment plan keeping one’s finances in mind. Sometimes, small intestine overgrowth is just one piece of the health puzzle and may require digging a little deeper. Dr. Curto will continue to consider other possibilities that can cause GI issues such as POTS, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Mast Cell Activation.
To learn more about Dr. Curto visit her website, www.drjennycurto.com.