Zinc in Gut-Brain Interaction in Autism and Neurological Disorders

Figure 2

GI abnormalities, immune system dysfunction, stress, and zinc deficiency may be highly linked processes contributing to the development of ASD. Zinc deficiency mediates GI system abnormalities, severely affects many components of the immune system, and is linked to physiological and psychological stress. Although there is good reason to believe that maternal zinc deficiency might be the initial trigger, once this vicious cycle is activated in the offspring, GI abnormalities, impaired immune system, stress, and zinc deficiency can be both cause and consequence of each other and influence the development of ASD. This is in line with the often reported symptoms and comorbidities in ASD associated with problems linked to these four key features.