[WORD] Why Is The Body Text Style Always Hidden?

I've always followed the doctrine of using the "Body Text" style in preference of the "Normal" style when creating Word documents.

However, in 2010 I can't seem to find it.
It isn't in the Style Ribbon and it isn't there when you click Apply Styles to bring up a longer list.

However, if you try to create a new Style called "Body Text" you get an error saying "The style name already exists or is reserved for a built-in style"

It took me quite a while to work it out, but this page helped:
http://help.lockergnome.com/office/O...ict987022.html

The key bits are:
You need to bring up the Styles pane with Ctrl-Alt-Shift-S (I thought everything was supposed to be in the Ribbon?!)
"Body Text" is marked as "Always Hidden".

So my questions are:
Why is "Body Text" marked as "Always Hidden"?
and
Is it no longer advisable to use "Body Text"?