What's the current research on the appendix? For decades, doctors have believed that your appendix doesn't really have a purpose. If your appendix becomes too inflamed, it's considered an emergency and you need to have it removed.Researchers are now saying that your appendix acts as a "safe house" for your gut's healthy (and good) bacteria. This bacteria is used to reboot your gut after it suffers from dysentery or cholera.Does this mean it's bad for your health if you need to have your appendix removed?William Parker, PhD, joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss your appendix and how science has finally figured out why you need it.