Have you had your appendix out? Doctors always assured those of us who have that the appendix was a superfluous organ, unnecessary for proper digestion and health. Research, however, suggests that the real and important purpose of the appendix is to act as a storage place for beneficial bacteria. There’s also evidence that the appendix doesn’t just store but may also create and cultivate the good bacteria that protects the gut.
Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that line our small intestines. It is estimated that 75-80% of your immune system is in your gut and beneficial bacteria are an important part of your immune defense, even more critical as we head into flu season. Beneficial bacteria are also critical for absorbing certain undigested starches, fibers and sugars called prebiotics and converting them into energy and nutrients. They also help the body produce Vitamin K and some of the B vitamins and they promote absorption of vitamins and minerals from the foods we eat.
Not to worry if you’ve had your appendix out, but if you have – you may need to pay more attention to your intake of probiotics, whether from cultured foods or supplements. Beware of all the foods currently on the market that tout themselves as containing “probiotics”. Once again here is the food manufacturers picking up on a trend and adding something that is not naturally occurring in their processed foods. Not all probiotics are created equally of course and manufacturers are not required to use accepted nomenclature for the bacteria in the product and may overstate the probiotic benefits of their product.
Probiotics must be alive, capable of colonizing the human gut and consumed in sufficient quantity on a daily basis to exert their beneficial effects. Some of the beneficial bacterias to look for include: L. bulganicus or S. thermophilus, L. acidophilus, L. Casei., B. lactis.
Be Well,
Carolyn
