The human body is composed of trillions of cells that are part of a more extensive system of organs and organ systems. Cells and organs have clear and distinct functions. While some people hold the view that specific organs, such as the appendix, are useless leftover remnants of mindless evolution, modern medicine refutes this outdated concept.
The adult appendix is approximately 3.5 inches long. This tube-like projection sticks out from the cecum, a component of the large intestine that connects to the small intestine in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. Some people believe the appendix is a vestigial organ—a useless remnant from an evolutionary ancestor. However, this unscientific Darwinian concept of the appendix has been refuted for many decades. It has been known for some time that the appendix serves as part of the immune system to mature B lymphocytes and the production of antibodies known as immunoglobulin A to fight against infection. In addition, the appendix acts as a reservoir for friendly flora, which act as guardians against pathogenic microbes.
The functions of the appendix make sense since it is located in a transitional area of the digestive tract where bacteria and waste products must move from the small intestine to the ascending colon. Therefore, it makes sense from a design or Creator viewpoint to have this microbe fighting organ at this transitional location. The authors of a paper in Frontiers in Microbiology state that “increasing evidence has revealed that the human appendix plays important biological roles in regulating the intestinal immune system and microbiome.”
A recent article in Medscape (an online informational and teaching service for clinicians) discusses the important roles that the appendix plays in protecting against infection and that its removal may predispose people to other health problems such as infection and cancer. The article recommends that people who have had an appendectomy may need more regular checkups since they may be more predisposed to health issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, infection, and colorectal cancer.
The author notes that Darwin believed the appendix was at best useless. Extreme Darwin devotees like Miles Breuer (1889-1945), an American medical doctor who practiced in Nebraska, followed Darwinian theory to its ultimate conclusion and believed people with appendicitis should be left to die so that their inferior genes would not be passed on. The Medscape article ends by stating: “The appendix is not useless. If Darwin had the information that we have, he would not have drawn these conclusions…"
Studies in recent years have shown that antibiotic therapy instead of surgery can be a safe and effective option for the treatment of appendicitis. A 2020 randomized trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine compared antibiotic therapy to surgery in patients with appendicitis The study involved medical centers from around the United States. The positive outcomes were similar for both groups. 25 U.S. Of course, every case of appendicitis needs to be evaluated by a healthcare professional to see if antibiotics are an option instead of surgery. In either case, one will be prescribed antibiotics. Therefore, it is essential to consume prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods during and after antibiotic therapy. Researchers have found unfavorable changes in the gut after an appendectomy, including fungal overgrowth. Therefore, the use of probiotics and antifungal supplements, and antifungal medications is warranted during and after appendectomy. For more information on probiotics and antifungal supplements, see my book, The Holistic Guide To Gut Health.
Like many conditions, research has demonstrated that a diet high in sugar and low in fruits and vegetables increases appendicitis risk. Sugar encourages the growth of disease-causing bacteria and fungi, imbalances the gut microbiome, suppresses immunity, and increases inflammation. In addition, smoking is another controllable risk factor for appendicitis. I also recommend ensuring your bowels regularly move through a high-fiber diet, anti-inflammatory and gut-healing foods, adequate purified water, and regular exercise.
The appendix is an organ that has important functions in preventing infection in the digestive tract and is strategically located where there is a transition from the small to the large intestine. The concept that the appendix is a relic of distant non-human ancestors and has no function is a myth, as demonstrated by multiple studies. In addition, recent research has shown that antibiotic therapy can be a viable alternative to surgery for some people with appendicitis. Also, one may be more prone to certain diseases with the removal of the appendix. Lastly, appendicitis risk is associated with a low-fiber diet. Therefore, an increased intake of plant foods is vital for preventing this serious condition.
Dr. Mark Stengler NMD, MS, is a bestselling author in private practice in Encinitas, California, at the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine. His newsletter, Dr. Stengler’s Health Breakthroughs, is available at www.markstengler.com and his product line at www.drstengler.com
Cai, S., Fan, Y., Zhang, B., Lin, J., Yang, X., Liu, Y., Liu, J., Ren, J., & Xu, H. (2021). Appendectomy is associated with alteration of human gut bacterial and fungal communities. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.724980
Constantin, M., Petrescu, L., Mătanie, C., Vrancianu, C. O., Niculescu, A. G., Andronic, O., & Bolocan, A. (2023). The Vermiform Appendix and Its Pathologies. Cancers, 15(15), 3872. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15153872
Peeters, T., Houben, B., Cools, P., Thys, Y., D'Onofrio, V., Martens, S., Jaeger, M., Doppenberg-Oosting, M., Netea, M. G., & Gyssens, I. C. (2023). An observational study on lifestyle and environmental risk factors in patients with acute appendicitis. Heliyon, 9(4), e15131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15131
The CODA Collaborative. (2020). A randomized trial comparing antibiotics with appendectomy for appendicitis. New England Journal of Medicine, 383(20), 1907–1919. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2014320
Zaraska, M. (2024, June 17). The “useless” appendix is more fascinating than we thought. Medscape. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/useless-appendix-more-fascinating-than-we-thought-2024a1000au9?ecd=wnl_infocu1_broad_broad_persoexpansion-algo_20240706_etid6650047&uac=130325DZ&impID=6650047
