Appendix May Be Useful Organ After All
“The idea that the appendix is an organ whose time has passed has itself become a concept whose time is over.” In AOL News, Researcher William Parker, immunologist at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC suggests the appendix houses good bacteria. After an episode of diarrhea, the appendix may supply good bacteria to the damaged intestinal tract.Previous studies have shown that this organ may have a role in the making and training of white blood cells. Dr. Parker feels that appendicitis is a by-product of inadequate stimulation of the appendix by organisms that no longer challenge the body because of widespread use of sewer systems and good drinking water. Perhaps, he suggests, if we could find the key to preventing appendicitis, could we also find the key to reducing allergies and autoimmune diseases? Their research appears online as of August 12 in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology.
Dr. Gardner’s comments: One out of 20 people in the US have had their appendix removed, many of those were normal appendices (“while we were in there, we removed the appendix, so if there is pain in the area of the appendix, we don’t have to wonder if it is appendicitis”). The more we study the body, the more we will come to know the importance of every organ in the body. Even if we never come to know fully the purpose of each organ, we want to be careful with its removal. Entirely too many appendices, gall bladders and uteruses are being removed for flimsy excuses.
My doctor says I can get all the vitamins and minerals I need from my food. What is your opinion on this?
I used to say the same thing to my patients, back in the days before I studied healthy alternatives. It is the party line of allopathic medicine, although that is starting to change. Here's the bottom line, and I'll follow up with some info on what allopaths are now doing:
3 responses so far ↓
1 Martha // Sep 28, 2009 at 9:42 am
I have not responded for a long time because for the last 7 mos. my husband’s hip was being eaten up by strep/pneumonia bacteria. He’s a basketball ref & in one day was down. Only clues are an ear infection 3 days prior and an extracted tooth a few months before that. He has had 1 operation with just a spacer and is awaiting a hip re-placement. What a shock! He also craves sweets (comfort food) Ugh! I haven’t been able to follow your “sugar” program faithfully. I also had my appendix removed a year ago after 3 days of pain. I am using probiotics now - will that help?
2 Trish // Sep 28, 2009 at 7:58 pm
I think taking out an appendix “because we were in the area” is just crazy!
Unfortunately for me, however, my appendix was removed for a very, very good reason.
When the surgeon opened me up he found my appendix had become black and was pressed up against my bladder. (He asked my husband for permission to publish the pictures he took of it, because it was so bizarre.)
Obviously, that appendix had outlived its usefulness!
Keep up the good work! I appreciate the perspective of an MD who has taken the time to learn about the whole person and not just focusing on diseases and drugs.
3 Dr. Stan Gardner // Oct 6, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Martha, Probiotics are good for the intestinal tract, especially after and during the use of antibiotics. Sugar feeds the yeast (Candida), which will make it stronger. The bacteria (probiotics) in the gut keeps the Candida under control. If you have or think you have Candida problems (bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort, itching, sugar cravings), then it is more important to get off sugar than it is to take probiotics (but they will help).
Leave a Comment