What is Coeliac Disease? Gluten free charity calls for an apology from ITV's This Morning

A charity has asked for an apology to the gluten-free community after a backlash to an advice segment on This Morning concerning coeliac disease.

During yesterday's show a viewer phoned in to ask for advice as their mother-in-law was planning a gluten-free Christmas dinner as one guest is living with coeliac disease.

The caller explained their teenage son is a "bit of a fussy eater" and would not eat any of the food provided.

Offering advice Vanessa Feltz asked if she could perhaps bring some food for her son but the caller added that she had been told she couldn't do this, to which Feltz added: "So she’s treating coeliac disease as if it’s a kind of fatal, potentially fatal peanut allergy."

Feltz argued that it was "completely unreasonable" to expect the whole group to be completely free of gluten, while presenter Josie Gibson pointed out that those living with the condition also need to be aware of cross-contamination, to which the agony aunt replied: "But they don’t have to have any cross-contamination."

After the segment aired Coeliac UK penned a letter to ITV, referring to the advice given as "ill-informed" and "dismissive."

"Today on ITV's @thismorning, coeliac disease was discussed during a phone in segment on the show," the charity wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

"We are deeply concerned about the content and advice given to a caller attending a Christmas family event where all of the food will be gluten free to protect the health of a person with coeliac disease."

The charity also shared the open letter it had sent to the channel for users to read.

"In the meantime we ask you to contact This Morning to ask them to give an apology to our gluten free community on air for this damaging and inaccurate information, and to engage with Coeliac UK to ensure their information is accurate in future," it concluded it's post.

Yahoo Life UK has contacted ITV for comment.

What is coeliac disease?

According to the charity Coeliac UK coeliac disease is a serious autoimmune condition caused by a reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, which is included in many everyday foods.

The charity points out that coeliac disease is not an allergy but a serious autoimmune disease, and when someone with coeliac disease eats gluten, their immune system reacts and causes damage to the gut resulting in a range of symptoms, some of which can be very severe, significantly affecting daily life.

While the condition affects one in 100 people, with only 36% of people having been clinically diagnosed, which means many are left living with debilitating symptoms.

Symptoms of coeliac disease

Identifying the symptoms of coeliac disease can be complex and they can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.

In fact, one in four people with coeliac disease have previously been treated for or misdiagnosed with IBS prior to diagnosis of coeliac disease.

That could help to explain why the average length of time taken for an adult to be diagnosed with the disease from the onset of symptoms is an incredible 13 years.

Symptoms of coeliac disease range from mild to severe, and can include:

• Bloating

• Diarrhoea

• Vomiting

• Stomach ache

• Nausea

• Wind

• Constipation

• Tiredness

• Mouth ulcers

• Sudden or unexpected weight loss (but not in all cases)

• Anaemia

• Slow growth (in children)

• Unexplained infertility

• Itchy rash

• Nerve damage

What causes coeliac disease?

The NHS explains that coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition, where the immune system (the body's defence against infection) mistakenly attacks healthy tissue.

In coeliac disease, the immune system mistakes substances found inside gluten as a threat to the body and attacks them.

This damages the surface of the small bowel (intestines), disrupting the body's ability to take in nutrients from food.

It's not entirely clear what causes the immune system to act this way, but a combination of genetics and the environment appear to play a part.

While 40% of the population have the genes associated with coeliac disease, not all develop the disease, and it can manifest at any age.

Studies show that if someone in a family has the condition, there is a one in 10 chance of a close relative developing the disease.

Treatment for coeliac disease

There is no cure for the condition; the only treatment is a strict gluten free diet for life.

Coeliac UK explains that if a gluten free diet is not followed, the disease can lead to nutritional deficiencies and other complications such as osteoporosis, anaemia, fertility problems and in some rare cases small bowel lymphoma.

Coeliac UK recommends learning which foods are naturally gluten-free:

• All types of rice

• Potato

• Corn (maize)

• Plain meat

• Fish

• Eggs

• Cheese

• Milk

• Most yogurts

• Fruits

• Vegetables

• Pulses (peas, beans and lentils)

What is dermatitis herpetiformis?

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is the skin manifestation of coeliac disease which occurs as a rash that commonly features on the elbows, knees, shoulders, buttocks and face, with red, raised patches often with blisters.

It affects around one in 3,300 people.

Where to go for help

Help and support

Coeliac UK is a UK charity for people with coeliac disease.

Its website has useful resources, including information about a gluten-free diet, local groups, volunteering and ongoing campaigns.

You can also call the Coeliac UK helpline 0333 332 2033, open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.

Gut health: Read more

• How coffee can positively impact your gut health (Yahoo Life UK, 3-min read)

• The best and worst foods to eat this Christmas for your gut health (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read)

• How alcohol impacts your gut health as a third of Brits plan for a sober Christmas (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)

Watch: Is gluten-free bread more healthy than regular bread?