Zinc is a key regulator of GI development, microbiota composition & inflammation in autism

"Low zinc status during development is sufficient to compromise intestinal barrier integrity and activate pro-inflammatory signaling, resulting in changes in microbiota composition that may aggravate inflammation, altogether mimicking the co-morbidities frequently observed in ASD."

Source: Cellular and Molecular Life Science via PubMed

NOTE: Mercury "displaces" Zinc. For further reading: Mercury: The Quintessential Anti-Nutrient